Guest guest Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 Kay, I had wondered if your Interstim dilemma had been resolved. I am happy to know that you are now cooking again. I hope this one is the same as the other and if not, then only better. It is good to know that some things keep on working the way they were intended to originally and that the company didn't mess up a good thing, as often happens. Don't need one of the things yet, but it is good to know, just in case. My mother wouldn't even take the meds for the problem. That really got away with me. I have no idea what she was thinking. I have heard such good things about it. I guess it was another manifestation of her inability to reason and since I never did have her declared in need of a guardian, I couldn't make her take it. Kay Braddock <KayBraddock@...> wrote : My first Interstim was implanted 5 years ago. > It provides electrical sacral stimulation. It improved my bladder, but much to > my surprise it had a positive effect on bowel function and I began to walk > better. I have a drop right foot. After five years the battery died and after > a fall the leads were dislodged. This week I had my second Interstim implant. > The surgery has changed. I was awake (although sedated) through much of it. > The doctors need your response to insure correct placement of the leads. A > representative from Medtronics was there to assist. The surgery went well. I > have a little pain but its not too bad. I won't be able to swim for a couple > of weeks which I really miss. If anyone has any questions as to whether they > would benefit from an Interstim, I'd be happy to try to answer any questions. > Medtronics is doing a study as to the effectiveness of the Interstim for bowel > incontinence. You can find out more on their website www.interstim.com & lt;http://www.interstim.com -------------------- Discover Pasty.net - http://www.pasty.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 Kay, thank you for the info on the interstim. Not to alarm anyone, but there is a complication of AS, called cauda equina syndrome. The interstim might help those that have this condition. I have had trouble in this area...but have not had the nerve conduction tests. >> Neurological Complications - Cauda Equina Syndrome Rarely, people with advanced (very long-term) ankylosing spondylitis (AS) may have problems resulting from the scarring of the bundle of nerves at the base of the spine. This condition can have a significant impact on a person's quality of life, and can cause urinary retention and/or incontinence, loss of bowel control, sexual dysfunction and problems causing pain and weakness of the legs. If you have long-standing AS and are suffering with some of these symptoms, your rheumatologist will be able to refer you to neurologist for consultation.>> _Complications of Spondylitis - Ankylosing Spondylitis Complications, Areas of Inflammation and More_ (http://www.spondylitis.org/about/complications.aspx) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 Thanks for the Cauda Equina info Connie, as that is what is going on with me at the moment. We will find out for sure once I am off Prozac and Elavil to see if they caused some of the problems. +Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2006 Report Share Posted March 8, 2006 I was never diagnosed with Cauda Equina Syndrome but the symptoms I had were very similar. I had damaged to the sacral nerves. The sacral electrical stimulation seems to really help me. The Interstim is being used for neurgenic bladder and bowels with retention or incontinence. It has not been approved (as far as I know) to assist something like a drop right foot. I find it helps me walk, however. Without the Interstim I could not raise and splay the toes on my right foot. I also would drag my right leg. My gait wasn't balanced. My gait is much improved with the new Interstim. Since I got my first Interstim 5 years ago I have begun to exercise more and there has been some healing of the nerves. A Medtronic representative assisted with the surgery. I mentioned to him how it helped my right leg and foot. Kay Re: Second Interstim Kay, thank you for the info on the interstim. Not to alarm anyone, but there is a complication of AS, called cauda equina syndrome. The interstim might help those that have this condition. I have had trouble in this area...but have not had the nerve conduction tests. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2006 Report Share Posted March 8, 2006 It is so good to know that there are things out there which not only do what they are sposed to do, but also help with other things as well. If I could exercise more, I would see about an interstim, but I don't think that would work for me. LOL GA -------------------- Discover Pasty.net - http://www.pasty.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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