PTNS

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Has anyone had the PTNS procedure done, and if so, what were the results?
Thank you.

 

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Yes, I have had it several times. The issue I had was every time I had the procedure done, it would be someone new hooking up the equipment. Some were good at it, but most were not. If it was done correctly and they truly hit the nerve, it worked, but most times they did not insert the needle in the exact spot it needed to be in. This is pretty much what my acupuncturist does with the stimulator attached to the needle and with his background, training, and knowledge he almost always gets it right.

 

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Kathylp: So maybe the clinic or hospital needs to hire your acupuncturist?
Seriously, is there anyone at that clinic you can talk to about it? You really could suggest it. It might help us all, too.
When I went through Chemotherapy, the nurses (plebotimists?) were so expert at inserting the needles (even after my veins became shy) that it was amazing and amazingly less painful. That's all they did all day, patient after patient. None of my fellow patients complained about that....

 

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Understand completely about the nurses and how only a handful can get it right. My husband had to have the only two nurses in a large hospital take his blood after undergoing a transplant. The regular floor nurses could never get it right. Not blaming them really, when your veins are pretty much collapsed because of what you’ve gone through, it does require a specialist.

 

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It IS a specialty. In spite of the workload and forced fast pace, those nurses in the cancer ward were NICE, too. Still suggesting them check out acupuncturists, who are specialists, too....

 

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Just to go back to the acupunturist....do they actually offer PTNS? Would insurance cover it if done by an acupunturist? I agree that the placement can be random.

 

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Medicare does not cover acupuncture, but my other insurance covers up to 24 sessions. I end up paying out of pocket for the rest of the year, but it’s well worth it if it keeps my pain away. PTNS is also covered by my insurance, but it’s limited to how many each year also.

 

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Thanks Kathylp. Just so I'm clear...do they cover for 24 session for pain or for PTNS for OAB/UUI? I haven't seen acupuncture covered for that.

 

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They cover 24 for acupuncture. I thought it was only 12 for PTNS, but not really sure about that number. This is my Blue Cross insurance that covers acupuncture. Medicare does not. Blue Cross covers the entire fee for my acupuncture, but like I said, only for 24 sessions.