Interstim inplant-- Need feedback/Comments ASAP

lion1
lion1 Member Posts: 241
All,

I need input on anyone who has went the Interstim route for their incontinence/overactive bladder?

My Doc wants to fit me an April since the Botox was ineffective.


Thanks,

Lion1

Comments

  • BD
    BD Member Posts: 14
    Your request for InterStim info, Lion1....
    I'm sorry I can't answer you with any specific information on the InterStim, Lion1 . . .
    but am posting here because you and I have communicated before (and thought this might be the most effective and recent way to reach you).

    I started today the semi-external (electrode inserted in ankle [!] via small needle) electrical stimulation via the tibial nerve of the nerves around the bladder to try to address (and hopefully cure) the OAB (delay following my last posting in getting the appointment with local urologist to administer it). Will let you know how it goes ... it is once a week for twelve weeks. MD's office reports this is a new procedure for them because Medicare has only recently started to cover it. He says sometimes they can see improvement in the incontinence after 3-4 times.

    His office also tells me that the success rate for InterStim is about 80%, but they couldn't quote one for the semi-external electrical stimulation approach, because it is so relatively new . . . .

    Good luck on getting the InterStim info that you need, and I hope it goes better than the Botox!

    BD
  • randy_in_indy
    randy_in_indy Member Posts: 496 Member
    BD said:

    Your request for InterStim info, Lion1....
    I'm sorry I can't answer you with any specific information on the InterStim, Lion1 . . .
    but am posting here because you and I have communicated before (and thought this might be the most effective and recent way to reach you).

    I started today the semi-external (electrode inserted in ankle [!] via small needle) electrical stimulation via the tibial nerve of the nerves around the bladder to try to address (and hopefully cure) the OAB (delay following my last posting in getting the appointment with local urologist to administer it). Will let you know how it goes ... it is once a week for twelve weeks. MD's office reports this is a new procedure for them because Medicare has only recently started to cover it. He says sometimes they can see improvement in the incontinence after 3-4 times.

    His office also tells me that the success rate for InterStim is about 80%, but they couldn't quote one for the semi-external electrical stimulation approach, because it is so relatively new . . . .

    Good luck on getting the InterStim info that you need, and I hope it goes better than the Botox!

    BD

    BD
    I thought you were fine with regards to incontinence...did that change? Pardon me for being gone from here so long...how's it going?


    randy in indy
  • lion1
    lion1 Member Posts: 241
    BD said:

    Your request for InterStim info, Lion1....
    I'm sorry I can't answer you with any specific information on the InterStim, Lion1 . . .
    but am posting here because you and I have communicated before (and thought this might be the most effective and recent way to reach you).

    I started today the semi-external (electrode inserted in ankle [!] via small needle) electrical stimulation via the tibial nerve of the nerves around the bladder to try to address (and hopefully cure) the OAB (delay following my last posting in getting the appointment with local urologist to administer it). Will let you know how it goes ... it is once a week for twelve weeks. MD's office reports this is a new procedure for them because Medicare has only recently started to cover it. He says sometimes they can see improvement in the incontinence after 3-4 times.

    His office also tells me that the success rate for InterStim is about 80%, but they couldn't quote one for the semi-external electrical stimulation approach, because it is so relatively new . . . .

    Good luck on getting the InterStim info that you need, and I hope it goes better than the Botox!

    BD

    Interstim
    BD thanks for the support. I hope your treatments work as well. 2 yrs ago my local uro wanted to give me the treatments you are about to get---but my insurance did not cover it. Now that my care is 175 miles away, it would be impractical for me to request that treatment from them. But, I will ask my Doc in April about that too.


    Thanks,

    Lion1
  • bdhilton
    bdhilton Member Posts: 866 Member

    BD
    I thought you were fine with regards to incontinence...did that change? Pardon me for being gone from here so long...how's it going?


    randy in indy

    Hey Randy
    No this is someone else that took BD...I'm bdhilton...
  • randy_in_indy
    randy_in_indy Member Posts: 496 Member
    bdhilton said:

    Hey Randy
    No this is someone else that took BD...I'm bdhilton...

    Ah I see
    That's what I get for popping on here every 6 months and not paying the correct attention....I will blame it on my Adult ADD.
  • BD
    BD Member Posts: 14
    bdhilton said:

    Hey Randy
    No this is someone else that took BD...I'm bdhilton...

    To bdHilton and Randy . . . .
    I do want to apologize again, bdHilton, for causing such confusion when I used the initials BD in my earlier postings (starting, as I recall, in December). . . hope you got my earlier message saying that also.

    I'd be happy to select another name or set of initials . . . would you like me to do that?

    BD
  • BD
    BD Member Posts: 14
    lion1 said:

    Interstim
    BD thanks for the support. I hope your treatments work as well. 2 yrs ago my local uro wanted to give me the treatments you are about to get---but my insurance did not cover it. Now that my care is 175 miles away, it would be impractical for me to request that treatment from them. But, I will ask my Doc in April about that too.


    Thanks,

    Lion1

    Urgent PC neurostimulation via needle in ankle
    Lion 1, I hope that whatever you have underway now WILL work for you.

    But I just wanted to let you know that, if you do ask your MD about the ankle-related procedure (I know this is odd, but apparently the electrical impulses travel up the tibial nerve to the nerves around the bladder, with the goal being to quiet the spasms)--called Urgent PC neurostimulation--I am traveling 255 miles each way to get what I think is the highest level of care possible. It is a real hassle, and I haven't even figured out the logistics yet (and the attendant cost), but I came to the conclusion it is worth it.

    Have had just two of twelve treatments. Won't finish until mid-June (because of an intervening trip in between). Wish I could give you some conclusions of how it works before then, but regrettably just can't. Pray with me that it DOES work.

    All kinds of good luck on your April consultations.

    BD

    P.S. As you may see on one of my other postings, I certainly didn't mean to confuse things by selecting "BD" when bdHilton has already used it. I volunteered to him that I will certainly change to another name or set of initials if he (or anyone else) want me to.
  • lion1
    lion1 Member Posts: 241
    BD said:

    Urgent PC neurostimulation via needle in ankle
    Lion 1, I hope that whatever you have underway now WILL work for you.

    But I just wanted to let you know that, if you do ask your MD about the ankle-related procedure (I know this is odd, but apparently the electrical impulses travel up the tibial nerve to the nerves around the bladder, with the goal being to quiet the spasms)--called Urgent PC neurostimulation--I am traveling 255 miles each way to get what I think is the highest level of care possible. It is a real hassle, and I haven't even figured out the logistics yet (and the attendant cost), but I came to the conclusion it is worth it.

    Have had just two of twelve treatments. Won't finish until mid-June (because of an intervening trip in between). Wish I could give you some conclusions of how it works before then, but regrettably just can't. Pray with me that it DOES work.

    All kinds of good luck on your April consultations.

    BD

    P.S. As you may see on one of my other postings, I certainly didn't mean to confuse things by selecting "BD" when bdHilton has already used it. I volunteered to him that I will certainly change to another name or set of initials if he (or anyone else) want me to.

    Interstim and ankle
    BD,

    No problem on the name I knew it was you and not BDhILTON. Keep me posted, I would love to hear that this procedure worked for you.


    Lion1
  • lion1
    lion1 Member Posts: 241
    BD said:

    Urgent PC neurostimulation via needle in ankle
    Lion 1, I hope that whatever you have underway now WILL work for you.

    But I just wanted to let you know that, if you do ask your MD about the ankle-related procedure (I know this is odd, but apparently the electrical impulses travel up the tibial nerve to the nerves around the bladder, with the goal being to quiet the spasms)--called Urgent PC neurostimulation--I am traveling 255 miles each way to get what I think is the highest level of care possible. It is a real hassle, and I haven't even figured out the logistics yet (and the attendant cost), but I came to the conclusion it is worth it.

    Have had just two of twelve treatments. Won't finish until mid-June (because of an intervening trip in between). Wish I could give you some conclusions of how it works before then, but regrettably just can't. Pray with me that it DOES work.

    All kinds of good luck on your April consultations.

    BD

    P.S. As you may see on one of my other postings, I certainly didn't mean to confuse things by selecting "BD" when bdHilton has already used it. I volunteered to him that I will certainly change to another name or set of initials if he (or anyone else) want me to.

    How's the UuRGENT PC going?
    BD,

    I am cancelling my interstim, want to further deliberate, may try in a few months??

    Lion1