Trial implant in

[AnnieMac]

Hi everyone,

Well, I had the trial implant done on Monday, the 18th. Everyone was wonderful at the hospital. They all signed their names to a card, wishing me a speedy recovery. I thought that was very nice and personable. My Medtronic rep called to see how I was doing today, as well as the hospital. I'm still not sure if there has been any difference. Maybe I'm expecting too much too soon? For a while today, I was doing really well, voiding 25 ml, then 50 ml and then 100 ml on my own. Then tonight I got stressed out because of housework and nobody helping me, and I think the stress may have got to me, because the last two times I went to the bathroom, I couldn't void anything on my own. I have to learn to just let things be and not get upset over everything. My husband is fantastic and helps in all kinds of ways, but he works second shift so by the time he comes home the place is trashed again. Well, the most important thing is for this procedure to work. I had this done for urinary rention. If anyone else had this procedure done for urinary retention, how long did it take before you noticed a difference in voiding? Thanks.

AnnieMac

[DebbieB]

Hi AnnieMac;

Well I notice the day after that I was able to get 100ml on my own and then the third day it got a whole lot better ..
Yes, stress can play a very big part in this so try to not worry..
You know that the house work can wait.
I know I am one that has to have every thing in place clean everyday but when I just had my pacemaker replaced, I just look at the house , said to myself it will have to wait until I feel better... as you know it can..

Good luck and I hope you get some good results soon !!

Debbie

[humpieumpumkin]

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

I was quite lucky and had immediate results-like as they turned it on in the recovery room! My rep told me as I had a huge smile on my face it could take a minimum of 3 days before I noticed any thing. I told him I already felt the difference. I had urgency-frequency with occasional retention though so it is different. It sounds like your voids are already improving though! If you changed this much already, think where you will be in a couple of days!!! I am so happy you had a positive experience. Try your best not to stress, and enjoy the trial the best you can! Wishing you lots of high-volume voids

Erika

[AnnieMac]

Thank you for the words of encouragement. It helps so much. My husband has told me the same thing about the housework. He helps out a LOT and tells me not to get stressed, but I just hate to see so much on his shoulders. Did you turn up your boxes at all? My rep told me that if I wasn't sure if I could still feel it, he said to check I could turn it off and then turn it back on until I felt it. I guess to make sure that everything was still connected okay. The wires aren't bothering me too much. The thing that's bothering me the most is my suprapubic tube. It's very sore. I told my doctor and he said he will check it when I come in next Tuesday for my checkup. My doctor doesn't want me showering at all, sponge baths only...ugh. My husband picked me up some nice microwavable wipes to clean up with. They're really nice, but I still wish I could take a shower. Anyway, thanks for listening. This board helps so much.

AnnieMac

[humpieumpumkin]

I wasn't able to take showers either. Don't worry about your husband. I'm sure he is very happy you are getting better and doesn't mind the house work in the mean time. You don't need to feel the stim for it to work. What I usually do is turn it up until I feel it alot, the turn it down until I hardly feel it. After about 10 minutes after adjusting I dont feel it anymore but it still works!

Erika

[AnnieMac]

Hi Erika,

Any ideas how to wash my hair? I'm afraid bending over the sink will dislodge the wires.

Annie

[humpieumpumkin]

The wires are literally "stiched" into place. My uro said to do as little twisting and bending as possible, but leaning over to wash my hair was ok. I just stuck my head under the tub faucet and my fiance washed and rinsed. If you are still concerned I would speak with your uro, but I was told hair washing was ok.

Erika

[AnnieMac]

Thank you, Erika.

[humpieumpumkin]

[tacy99]

I hope you have great results with you stim. I washed my hair in the sink also. WE have a detachable faucet, so I could straighten up a little. I was fine though. I had the wipes also from my last hospital stay.

I hear you on the house thing! Seems nobody does anything until I point out it needs to be done. My youngest is 11 so they are old enough to help. I bent over so many times not even thinking, then youch! I carried laundry to the clothes line one towel or pair of jeans at a time. I got some exercise at least!

When is Stage 2?

[AnnieMac]

Hi Tacy
Stage 2 is July 2. I think I am noticing some change, but still not sure. I want to believe things are improving, but at the same time, I don't want to get too excited too soon. My suprapubic tube is really sore though and when I have to void the pain from the tube makes me tense. So that's not helping. I started using some lidocaine around the tube and that seems to help. Every time I go to the bathroom, I hope and pray that it's more than the last time.

AnnieMac

[Sarojini]

When I had my Stim put in, my husband installed one of those showerheads that is detachable and can be used handheld. It was great for bathing -- I sat on a plastic stool in the tub and could wash and rinse myself easily with that thing while keeping the dressings dry.

For washing my hair, I put a pillow on the floor next to the tub, knelt down on it, leaned over the side and used the handheld shower on my head. Also quite easy.

Hope you continue to improve!!

[AnnieMac]

Thank you Jen
That's a great idea. I believe I have one of those detachable showerheads in the closet.

Oh Honeeeyyyyyy.......

[AnnieMac]

Hi everyone,

Well, my voiding results are about the same. Nothing too encouraging. The medication is making constipated and I'm taking Colace at night before bed, but today, it got bad and my stomach was hurting from not being able to go. Then Fred called and asked how I was doing and I told him I was discouraged, because things were the same. He told me not to be that we still had the wire to try, but first he wanted me to make some changes to the box. So I opened that and followed his directions and changed those four little buttons. Well the constipation was no longer and I was able to go with no problem, but the voiding was still the same, but it was just changed a couple of hours ago, so we'll see.....I'm getting impatient.

Annie

[humpieumpumkin]

Please try to give it a chance! I know you must be discouraged, but sometimes it can simply be a programming issue. Maybe now that you changed the stim location it will work better. I'll say some prayers for you. I truly hope this starts to work for you!

Erika