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Adjusting to Neurostimulation |
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| I have the incurable bladder disease called Interstitial Cystitis. It effects the frequency and urgency of bathroom visits, leaves large ulcers that eat at the bladder lining, creates cysts, and causes intense nerve pain. I was on Ditropan for frequency, which is a very common for over-active bladders. I was going up to 30 times a day, required by to keep a log of what and when I was drinking, when and how much I was urinating. Eventually Interstim Neurostimulators were approved to aid in frequency by sending electric shocks to the sacral nerve, causing less bladder spasming, which in turn causes less bathroom trips. The surgery is done in 2 sessions, each over an hour. My doctor came to me before the 1st surgery to show me what he was putting inside me, through my back, near my spine: a wire with 4 barbed electrodes. I was scared. When I came to in the recovery room I had a wire tail, a 5 inch suchered incision, and an external battery to control the electrodes. 3 days later, via phone, I was instructed to activate my neurostimulator. It was the most bizarre sensation I've ever experienced. I was vibrating, on the inside. We adjusted the power and I had a box attached to my tail. During the week between surgeries I was left home alone for a few hours, and I had to go to the bathroom. I made my way there, put my battery box on the sink, sat to urinate, and when I got up my wire got tangled, pulling on those barbs inside of my body. I woke up about an hour later, bleeding on the floor and in so much pain I had to wait until someone came home to help. The 2nd surgery was to put into the pre-made, healing, 5 inch incision my permanent battery. I was informed after I was being wheeled into the OR that I had to be awake. I panicked, sobbed. I felt every slice and move the surgeon made. When I was recovering it was activated. I have adjusted in the past 3 years, since. Now I control the neurostimulator and my bladder all with a little remote. I know now it was worth it. |
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sashaying |
1 Year, 4 months, 1 Week, 2 days, 3 hours, 55 minutes ago |
Personal Story |
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All Votes: 5 |
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