questions about trial with temporary leads

[HelloKitty]

i am considering going ahead with the interstim trial with the temporary leads. I have a few questions about the actual procedure. How long does it take? What happens if you have to pee during the procedure...........do they allow you get up and use the restroom? Does it hurt? When you are done with the trial, does the doctor just yank the wire out?

Thanks

[Sarojini]

I had my trial leads placed in the operating room while I was under sedation - not full general anesthesia, but sedated enough that I don't remember a darn thing from the procedure Most doctors will insert the trial leads this way.

As for how long it took, my husband said I was in the OR for about an hour.

As for having to pee, they inserted a Foley catheter during the procedure for me, so it's not an issue. Plus, you'll be out of it and under sedation, so peeing, for once, will be the last thing on your mind!

Concerning pain, I was pretty sore for a few days, but I was given some pain medication to take and it really wasn't too bad.

Finally, when the trial is finished, the doctor will use the same wires and connect them to the permanent implant - they'll just be clipped and curled inside the "pocket" he makes for the permanent pulse generator and then they'll get sewn up inside you. If the trial doesn't work, then yes, they pull the wires out, but I'm sure there is a protocol they follow for that so it is not uncomfortable for you.

If you want details of my experience, just search my username in this forum and go back to my posts from 2007 - I chronicled my entire Interstim experience on here.

[JKS]

Hi

I am going through the trial right now. I didn't have a cath in for the procedure. I did have it done in the OR. It was weird because they give you meds so you don't feel a thing but you are awake to tell them if you if you can "feel" the stimulation. The whole procedure is 1/2 hr. (It took longer to put in the IV.) I remember the whole procedure.

My doctor does a 3 week trial. I have one connected to my left side and one connected to my right. I did a week on the left and a week on the right. Right now I am doing a week with both Interstims going. I have some results but nothing that would convince me at this point to put it in permantly but I have another week of different settings to decide.

Jill

[avalon]

I just got a temp. lead yesterday. i got it done right in the doctor's office. it took about 30 minutes. i thought it was painful, but tolerable. i was awake the whole time cause they had to ask me if i felt the stim. i was really sore for about 12 hours. you also have very limited mobility. unfortunately, i think the leads migrated cause I don't feel them in the right place today. now my doctor is recommending i get a permanent lead with an outside box.

[JKS]

Kinda confused. My trial that I am doing, I have to wear a box on the the outside. If is becomes permanent then they will but a smaller box under my skin. What do you have right now?

[amber sevy]

google the Interstim you will be able to see what is implanted under the skin. my trial was 3 days and very easy No OR but my trial sounds very different from most. I had trial placed in the office with just a local. the lead was NOT the permanent one that they placed when they put in my Interstim that was done in the OR and was a long recovery.