Medtronic Interstim - Dr. Guerette, VA
Posted: Sat May 31, 2014 8:24 pm
Hey everybody.
Thanks to Stephanies a month ago or so, she told me about Dr. Nathan Guerette in Richmond. (Female Pelvic Institute of Virginia).....After doing several weeks of urodynamic testing on me, which I failed, 3 main options were another nerve block (1st one by another MD did not work), Botox injections (sometimes causing incontinence and takes months to wear off), and the Medtronic Interstim Device was originally developed for incontinence/bladder issues, but is now being used somewhat in complex pelvic pain. I went in yesterday to be hooked up for my 1 week trial. It it helps, I will be able to have a permanent implant.
Yesterday's procedure began whith a lidocaine patch placed 2 hours before the procedure along with a dose of xanax. The Medtronic rep is there monthly to be present for the trial implants. Even though he did give me numerous shots into the area for pain, it was incredibly painful at times nearly sending me through the roof (my pain is due to several severe falls causing pelvic/coccox trauma). I asked him if this is the norm and he said no, I have so much scar tissue/arthritis that it was actually crunchy in the area where he was placing the needle to thread the wires through, one on each side of the coccyx. The rep showed me how to use the control device (cannot get anything wet so sponge baths for a week until I go back). I only am hooked up to the right side until Monday, then switch to hooking up the left side. They need to see which side helps the most. Today I am obviously sore, but since I am not sitting a lot it's too early to see how much it will help my burning pain with sitting. Tomorrow I work (at home doing medical transcription) so will be the first full day of testing. At this point I only have it set to a 2.5 out of 10. When I turn it up more I get an unpleasant tingling in my groin/labia area, but I'll just have to play with it and see how it goes. I'm very impressed with Dr. Guerette, he has excellent credentials and I feel very confident that I have found someone near me that at least knows that PN is and has some options to help. If anyone is in Virginia, here is his link:
http://www.fpmiofva.com/
Gail
Thanks to Stephanies a month ago or so, she told me about Dr. Nathan Guerette in Richmond. (Female Pelvic Institute of Virginia).....After doing several weeks of urodynamic testing on me, which I failed, 3 main options were another nerve block (1st one by another MD did not work), Botox injections (sometimes causing incontinence and takes months to wear off), and the Medtronic Interstim Device was originally developed for incontinence/bladder issues, but is now being used somewhat in complex pelvic pain. I went in yesterday to be hooked up for my 1 week trial. It it helps, I will be able to have a permanent implant.
Yesterday's procedure began whith a lidocaine patch placed 2 hours before the procedure along with a dose of xanax. The Medtronic rep is there monthly to be present for the trial implants. Even though he did give me numerous shots into the area for pain, it was incredibly painful at times nearly sending me through the roof (my pain is due to several severe falls causing pelvic/coccox trauma). I asked him if this is the norm and he said no, I have so much scar tissue/arthritis that it was actually crunchy in the area where he was placing the needle to thread the wires through, one on each side of the coccyx. The rep showed me how to use the control device (cannot get anything wet so sponge baths for a week until I go back). I only am hooked up to the right side until Monday, then switch to hooking up the left side. They need to see which side helps the most. Today I am obviously sore, but since I am not sitting a lot it's too early to see how much it will help my burning pain with sitting. Tomorrow I work (at home doing medical transcription) so will be the first full day of testing. At this point I only have it set to a 2.5 out of 10. When I turn it up more I get an unpleasant tingling in my groin/labia area, but I'll just have to play with it and see how it goes. I'm very impressed with Dr. Guerette, he has excellent credentials and I feel very confident that I have found someone near me that at least knows that PN is and has some options to help. If anyone is in Virginia, here is his link:
http://www.fpmiofva.com/
Gail
