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Handsome had a doctor's appointment first yesterday morning, and then we headed right to my MRI appointment an hour away. Once there, the tech came out and asked if I had the controllers for my Interstim unit so they could be sure it was turned off.
Have I told you this story before? Please stop me if you've already heard it. I had an Interstim unit installed in my upper hip/lower back in 2022 as part of the treatments for the bladder issues that we refer to as "The Troubles". (I know I've told that story). Fast forward to 2024...
I began having heart palpitations, and I knew the Interstim wasn't doing its job no matter how many times I changed the settings. As I sat having yet another episode of palpitations, it occurred to me that the Interstim might be to blame, so I completed shut it down. The palpitations stopped. Just to be sure, I turned it back on two weeks later, and the palpitations started up again.
I don't know whether or not you've ever had palpitations (or AFIB), but it's not pleasant. I turned the Interstim off for good in June and haven't turned it back on since.
In January of 2025, I contacted my dear Uro/gyno who I knew was scheduled to retire and we discussed the issue with the Interstim. (For the record, he wasn't the doctor who installed it.) I told him I'd searched the internet and was unable to find this as a side effect of the unit in my hip.
He explained that the lead meant to help with the bladder issues might be too close to the vagus nerve, and that would cause the heart issue. I told him I hadn't had the thing on for months now, and wanted to know if he could remove it. He informed me that he'd already relinquished his surgery privileges in anticipation of retiring, but he trusted his partner to accomplish the task.
I made an appointment to see his partner (after Handsome returned home from Florida). He told me he'd consulted with my favorite doc, and read my voluminous file. He was now familiar with my trials and tribulations. He agreed the Interstim should come out. As I'd had the thing turned off for so long, I left the controllers with him and made the surgical appointment (which is next week).
In the meantime, my clumsy arse twisted this knee causing what is suspected to be a torn meniscus. Hence the reason for the MRI. However, when we were called to go in for the test at the hospital yesterday, the tech requested the controllers for the Interstim because they needed to confirm it was off. I explained it was, but that the controllers were with my uro-gynecologist and the unit is being removed next week.
They went in the back, made some phone calls to the manufacturer, and were told they would have to reset it to "MRI MODE". As that wasn't possible without the controllers, they couldn't do the MRI on my knee yesterday. I wasn't upset, and said I completely understood. I mean, when I turned over the controllers, who would have thought I would need a test requiring them before the unit was removed? What would they have done had it been a medical emergency, I wonder?
Well, we cancelled the MRI for now, and I contacted the orthopedist's office to cancel the appointment I was supposed to have post MRI, explaining why.
I'll have my surgery next week to remove all the bits and pieces associated with the Interstim, give myself time to heal the incision(s), and then reschedule the MRI. The ladies who would have performed the test told me that if scheduling puts it too far out on the calendar, I can call them directly and they'll squeeze me in sooner. So, there's that.
Handsome and I trudged back to the truck to drive home, but not before a well-needed side trip for lunch, which, for me included a vanilla malt with extra powder. I was hungry and being fed helped me feel better, plus I managed a little nap on the way home. Once inside, more Tylenol™, elevating my feet, adding a little heat ,and a lovely cuppa tea delivered by my Handsome was just what I needed. I'll set my sights on next week. One (careful) step at a time...
