Re: Stimulator for Bladder

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On 5/13/09, Journe wrote:
> I am a recent caregiver for a lady that had a "Medtronic"
> stimulator put in few months ago for bladder incontinece.
> Supposedly, the wires came loose & no longer worked.
>
> So I took her for outpatient surgery and they put in new
> wires. She said the doc did it, but that there was also
> couple Medronic people in operating room observing.
>
> Is this the Same as the Spinal Stimulator??

From what I understand, the spinal stimulator is different. My
sister has had two stimulators implanted for bladder control
problems. The first one stopped working after 3 yrs. and they
said the battery was the problem, but the battery was supposed
to last 9 yrs. She had a new InnerStim implanted and it lasted
only a few months! The medtronics rep said the lead must have
become disconected or kinked. These implant surgeries cost
about $50,000. From reading this chatboard it appears that
all their stimulator devices whether they are spinal or for
bladder control problems, have either lead oriented problems
or something wrong with the device itself or battery. I can't
believe that all these surgeons are implanting them
incorrectly! Kevin