One week into my test

[Patrick]

mlhjr,

Keep up the good reports. Your success is an answer to our concerns and prayers.

[mlhjr]

The update is still going well. The timing and learning a new way to control my bladder has not been easy but, successful with a few hiccups. I will never have my body back but were gaining.

[mlhjr]

Well it is no longer a test but a new way to control my incontinence. There is a lot more to learn but, as long as the machine does its job I finally have some control over what I had none. For now cath during the day and diapers at night, this is a huge step forward for me and my family. That God for my family and my medical team.

[mlhjr]

I haven't got much feed back on my journey so this is the final update. First like I have said before this isn't for everybody but, for me it has given me freedom from having no control over my bladder to having day time freedom from diapers. The machine has to date worked great and the support from my family has been over whelming.

[schoppy]

Thats wonderful news!

Im real happy that the machine is working for you.



Schoppy

[mlhjr]

Schoopy,
Thank you, this is a lot of work preparing, not much different than change diapers. But at least I finally have options and my skin is getting a brake. Cathing is getting easier every day that I do it and quicker.

Mike

[Ted]

Mlhjr, I'm assuming you're doing intermittent cathing. Have you had any problems with infection? Also, Is it possible to set the device to let you use the bathroom and then reset it to avoid leakage?

[mlhjr]

Ted,
I haven't had any issues with infections so far. I have chronic pain and badly damage nerves its a mess. It takes 3 to 4 hours for the muscle to release after shutting down that channel. I use the other programmed channels plus medication to aid in pain control so I can sleep. I shut it down at night per doctors orders and drain into my diapers. My bladder capacity is no longer large enough to allow me to sleep through the night, so I would have to get up and drain my bladder that is the reason for shutting it down at night. This has gave me option that I didn't have before. far as shutting down and voiding, this isn't a option for me do to the nerve damage. The inter stim and programming get better all the time as new information comes in. I'm very happy so far.

Mike

[mlhjr]

Well test is completed, I'm set up with catheters and programming is done. I use it when I choose to and wear pull up just in case, but so far only one accident because I didn't have it set right. This is a chance for me to be free of diapers if and when I choose, like swimming church etc. Without it I'm totally incontinent and with it I have to cath, but my pants are dry. I know it was a shoot in the dark but it works.

[B Brian]

I'm curious. How do you turn the interstim device on and off if it's fully implanted inside of your back?