www.incontinentsupport.org

I have a external controller and that also how I charge it. I'm not sure what they use on you but, mine is a computer with a hand held controller. P.M. we can talk about what they used on you and what they have now.

I never got past the test. The three weeks I had it implanted, it was connected via a wire that came out of my back and plugged into a pager sized device. This allowed us to constantly change the settings as well as turn it on/off.

If the device is fully implanted into you, then I assume you are well past the test phase then. Correct?

Brian,
Yes, I have had it for a year but it has been a long road that I have traveled down to regain part of my life. I'm sorry it didn't workout for you but it has been a blessing to me. I know for a fact that I owe all of it to my wife and my medical team for getting this thing tuned in so I have some relief from my pain and now my bladder. God Bless Mike

Implants usually use magnetic switches.

With interstim, the test surgery is only done with wires and a mobile device. Only after the test is it implanted like a pacemaker. I didn't know it was wireless, but suppose wireless controls (not magnetic) make sense though. Pacemakers have that too.

Its more like a R/T, it reads and charges through the skin. The main module is located in my right glut, in a pocket they made internally. All programming is through the pick up and plugged into a hand held computer, I have my owe hand controller. I save all old programs, to return to if needed, base line. There are upsides and down sides but, when all other avenues have been exhausted it been very good so far.

At my appointment with my urologist yesterday he thought I was managing my incontinence very well but listed my primary options as InterStim and Botox injections. While I am not overly impressed with the InterStim's results, it still remains an option for me. Therefore I find this discussion to be both interesting and very informative. Please keep posting as much information as you can and your personal experiences. Thanks.

--John

John,
I will try and give updates as I travel through this journey, so far things are still going well.

Today was a huge day, my wife and I met with the urologist. He was extremely pleased at how far we have come from no control to now controlling my pain and bladder with the Inter stem. He set me up for Foley's while travelling due to unclean restroom's for catheterizing. My whole team has brought me back so far and for that I'm truly have been blessed. For now all agree that shutting the leads that control my bladder down at night and letting me rest is best.