Interstim Diary--Tired and Tender

[Sarojini]

So yesterday, I had prescriptions to pick up at Walgreen's and we needed just a couple things from the grocery store. Lately I've been having hubby pick that stuff up on his way home from work, but yesterday, I got it in my head that I was going to drive there myself and pick it all up. I figured, it's only going to take like, 30-45 minutes, what the heck?

So I went, and when I got home and got all the stuff into the house, I felt tired and sore. I thought, "Well, I'll lie down on the bed and read for a while until hubby gets home from work, then we'll cook together and eat."

That didn't happen though. Apparently, I wore myself out with just 45 minutes of activity, because I fell asleep reading at around 4pm, and slept through hubby's arrival home at about 6pm, AS WELL AS his cooking of dinner for us. He woke me when the food was ready, and said I was sleeping SO deeply he didn't want to wake me up when he got in. He said I was curled up on the non-incision side, gripping my pillow as if I never wanted to get up. When he found out I went to germy old Walgreens and the germy old grocery store he got really ticked off and threatened to take my car keys with him to work so I couldn't get out today.

This morning my implant incision is really tender to the touch. As far as I can see, there is no redness, but I am not supposed to peel the dressing off until I see the doctor on Monday. It was starting to peel ITSELF off, so I taped the peeling side down in an attempt to keep it covered. I don't think it's infected because I have no other symptoms; I think I just walked around too much.

Ugh... I guess having two surgeries in a two week period is exhausting. I guess the healing process is taking more out of me than I thought, too. According to my doctor's letter, I'm supposed to go to work next week, but I'm so wiped out by minor things -- I have NO idea how I am supposed to go through full days at work next week. I'm wondering if I could convince him that another week would be beneficial. I had intended to take 2-3 weeks off after the permanent implant anyway because I KNEW just one week wasn't going to be enough.... **sigh**

[leelee88]

Well your hubby is right!! You should not have went...
But I guess at the time you were feeling up to it..I just hope you dont get another wild hair and decide to do something like that again...You need your rest!!..Well I hope you feel better soon...

[hoping4acure]

Oh Jen...You shouldn't of went, but I can understand why you did. You have a wonderful husband! Take care of yourself and I hope you are back to your regular routine soon.

[patricia1]

Jen I am sure you more than likely just over did it yesterday. Like you said 2 surgeries in such weeks can wear a person out.

Now keep watch on how you are feeling. With my 2nd InterStim, I got a deep tissue infection where the implant was. Although I had no redness or anything oozing out, I was wore out, felt bad and running a fever. Antibotics took care of it, but just keep a eye out on things.

I hope things are still going great for you.

[Sarojini]

Patricia, yes, the Interstim is still working great in terms of frequency/urgency

I will keep an eye on how I'm feeling. Right now, I'm doing okay -- just a bit tired. I don't have a fever or anything right now... but I will keep an eye on it. I'm going to the doc Monday for a post-op checkup so we shall see how it goes...

[topcop229]

Jen,
I think you are right...just when you think you've recovered from surgery #1, you get thrust right into another, more invasive one. Typically, we start feeling just a bit better and then WAY overdo it, because we've spent so long resting that it's kind of like cabin fever. I did the same thing yesterday, I wanted to put some checks into the bank, so I drove to the ATM and put gas in the car while I was out. But, I was only out maybe 20 minutes. Hubby's out of town till this evening, so I've been REALLY bored!

I am sure Dr. Evans will give you as much time off of work as you think you need. He's quite liberal with that sort of thing.

[topcop229]

I'm going to nominate myself for the "take your own advice" award of the day. After I posted the above telling Jen to take it easy after surgery, I was really bored. I decided to straighten my hair. I washed it yesterday in the sink and just let it air dry...which means it looked like this ball of half wavy, half straight weird mess. Well, after that, I thought, "you know, I need some stamps. The grocery store is just a minute away (literally, it takes 60 seconds to get there, if that)." So, I suited up and headed over there.

I grabbed a little basket, thinking, "well, I think we need some canned veggies, too. I'll grab some real quick." Anyway, $20 and a little basket full of stuff later, I am back home and in pain!!! My whole lower back is super sore and my right hip is hurting again. I just took a lorcet, hopefully that will help. I am definitely going to rest ALL weekend!

[Sarojini]

Yep, see... there you go. It seems just normal things can cause a ton of pain after these surgeries. I'm with you, I'm resting all weekend!! My father-in-law is coming tomorrow and staying overnight, but my husband can deal with him

[KathrynPInk]

Hi Jen,
Yes, it sounds like you have over done things, and I would bet it is difficult to make yourself rest enough. It's so easy to say, "well. I will just be gone a few minutes", and not realize how taxing driving and running even one errand can be to one who has just had surgery.

I am glad your husband is so involved in caring for you. Good for him!

I am very interested in your progress, so please keep us informed as you get stronger and stronger. I am thinking that if I have anything else done, it will be the same procedure as you had done, as provided by our man Dr. E.

Take care girl, and thanks again for your sharing and helping me feel hopeful, even as you recuperate.
Love, Katheryn

[topcop229]

Katheryn,
Good luck in making your decision about the interstim. You definitely have the right doc, that's for sure! I know he landed Jen's leads absolutely perfectly, and he did the exact same with mine! I have such a great connection that I barely have to turn the stim dial to a one, and I think Jen was the same way with the trial.

[Babs RN]

All right Jen and Claudia, do I need to get on the next plane to North Carolina to kick you two non compliant patients into shape?(Just kidding BTW, but feel like you two need some laughs)I will bring my tie you two down in the house kit. Supernanny brings her big bag of whipping kids into behaving, I have my you need to rest and hey might as well have a bud that is a nurse bag. In it contains: chick flicks(funny and tear jerkers to include: When Harry Met Sally, Jerry Maquire, Steel Magnolias, Thelma and Louise, and to remember our past Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off), chick propaganda magazines to include Cosmo, Glamour, Marie Claire, Us Weekly, OK, People, and weekly rags like Star, In Touch, and Life and Style. I am taking both sets of keys to your vehicles(and Sandy if you're feeling bad, I will kidnap you and take your keys too)and we are all moving to my time share. Just wait for me and the megaphone outside your houses. Hee-hee.

[topcop229]

LOL, Barb, I am reading US Weekly right now! Your bag of tricks sounds pretty darn good...what time should I expect you? And where's the timeshare, so I know what to pack? LOL!

Seriously, thanks for the laughs. It's so difficult sometimes to keep resting, even though you know that's the right thing to do.

[KathrynPInk]

Thanks Claudia.
You are very encouraging to me about interstim. I will end up making a decision within a few months. ( i'm hoping I stay on my healing trend for a while.) How long have you been dealing with IC? I appreciate your thoughtful words!
love, Katheryn

Love,
Katheryn

[topcop229]

Hi Katheryn! I was diagnosed with IC about a year and a half ago, and I was diagnosed with severe PFD at the same time. However, I have been suffering from IC and PFD symptoms for about 16 years now. I also have endometriosis, which was diagnosed in 1998, and I had a hysterectomy in 1998 at the age of 23 due to the severity of the endo. Had several laps after that to remove more endo, my fallopian tubes, then one ovary. I also went through various hormone treatments, like that birth control shot and then Lupron after my hysterectomy. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia officially in January, but I've been suffering from those symptoms for about two to three years.

I started seeing Dr. Evans just over a year ago, and I LOVE him!!! He really understands IC and its related diseases, and he works SO hard to try and make his patients comfortable and come up with the right treatment for each individual person.

Whether to try interstim is a tough decision. You just have to weigh the risks and the possible benefits as well as determine that you have pretty much exhausted most of the less invasive options. But, if it works for you, it will all be worth it!

[Sarojini]

LOL ... I was reading a Glamour

Thanks for the concern, all I'm going to have to make sure to get rest this weekend. I promise I won't go out doing random things! 'Course, going to your timeshare sounds like a pretty good plan, Barb

Katheryn, yes, Dr. Evans got my leads perfect... he normally does both sides of the nerve (left and right) in case one works better, but he hit my left side so dead on the money he didn't even bother to do my right Claudia's right, I never had to turn the trial generator over 1 (it goes up to 10), and my permanent implant is on 1.1 at the moment. You've got a great doc should you decide to have the implant.