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Through The Accidental Sisterhood book and DVD by Ray Bologna, M.D., you’ll discover solutions to bladder and pelvic health issues. You deserve to laugh, sneeze, exercise, travel where your heart desires, and feel confident in the bedroom.

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Share a story. Offer support. Ask Dr. B. a question. This board is all about what you feel and experience as women with pelvic health issues.

Dirty Blonde - 07/3
well.. it's like I said!
Dr. B. - 06/2
It is not normal to have these problems with Interstim. I have done hundreds of implants with very happy patients. Problems can happen. I would try to discuss your situation with the physician that placed the unit. Another option is to contact Medtronic's patient services, 1-800-510-6735. Let me know what happens.
I.Amlost - 05/29
Unless I straight cath, I don't know if it helped the retention...and I really don;t want to do that. I have had many many UTI's and have been virtually UTI free since I stopped straight cathing. Is there any other way to tell? I have a very large bladder and can comfortably hold 800+. Who does the interstim evaluation? Do I go back to Medtronic for that? Do they have medical offices? Is it normal to have these kind of issues?
Dr. B. - 05/29
I think you have a number of options. Has the InterStim helped your urinary retention? Have you had any programming changes? It sounds as if you have not. I would recommend that you have the InterStim evaluated. The lead has 4 electrodes with many possible combinations. It should be possible to reprogram the unit so that you do not have the pain and it will still help with the urinary retention. Medtronic does have an 800 number that you can call to discuss any questions. Let me know if I can provide more information.
I.Amlost - 05/28
I had an interstim put in 7 months ago for retention. It was put in, turned on and forgotten about. My doctor never asked whether it worked or not. The salesman who seemed so vitally important before the implant has never contacted me. for 7 months it has been on doing whatever it is supposed to be doing. does it work? How can I tell? The reason I'm asking is because for the past 4 months I have had burning pain just above my tail bone that travels down to my right buttocks. I have also have two surgeries since January. one was for a recocyle. My assumption since January has been that this pain is from the surgery. My Doctor told me a few days ago that it could not possibly be from the surgery...it's been too long (whatever that means). He recommended that I see my Gyne (?) or a pain specialist. What a mightmare! So last night, I turned the interstim off. The burning pain in my back stopped almost immediately. Do you think it will last? So now I am torn whether to keep the interstim and live with the back pain or leave the interstim off.
Dr. B. - 05/18
Samantha The vast majority of patients having a sling are pleased with their outcome. I would encourage you to speak to your physician about the risk and benefits of surgery. I discuss a number of possible concerns prior to surgery. I have listed some for you to consider. 1.Are you considering having children or more children in the future? Once you have a sling some physicians will advocate a c-section instead of a vaginal delivery to prevent damage to the sling. 2.Another concern is mesh exposure. The rates are low, around 5%, but it is something I discuss with every patient. This means the vaginal tissue does not heal over the mesh and you can feel an edge of the mesh. This can cause discomfort and pain with intercourse. 3. The sling needs to be tight enough so that you do not leak yet loose enough so that you urinate normally. A small percentage of patients may get too much support from the sling and have a difficult time urinating. If that happens you may require a second surgery to correct the problem. Please let me know if you have further questions.
Dr. B - 05/18
Su - yes, pelvic floor therapy does include kegel exercises. There are a number of different ways to do kegel exercises, we describe 5 different exercises in the book and DVD. Also, there are specialty trained physical therapist who can help you. Some therapist add biofeedback to help you make sure you are working the proper muscles.
Samantha - 05/17
I am 28 and scheduled for a Sparc sling, Do you recommend that at such a young age? Are their any side effects in the long run.

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