Living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a challenge, especially for adolescents. The discomfort and pain associated with this condition can significantly impact their daily lives. But there’s a beacon of hope in the form of a new treatment: the IB-Stim.
What is the IB-Stim?
The IB-Stim, or percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulator (PENFS) system, offers a non-surgical solution FDA-cleared for adolescents aged 11 to 18 suffering from functional abdominal pain related to IBS. This innovative device operates by gently sending electrical impulses to cranial nerve bundles in the ear. These impulses target brain areas that process pain, aiming to reduce the discomfort associated with IBS.
How Does the IB-Stim Work?
The process involves a simple yet sophisticated system. The IB-Stim device is typically worn for three consecutive weeks, with each treatment lasting five days (120 hours). The actual implementation of the treatment plan is determined in consultation with healthcare providers, ensuring a tailored approach to each patient’s needs.
Patient Experiences and Feedback:
The real impact of the IB-Stim is best understood through the experiences of those who’ve used it. In a study, 95% of adolescent participants reported they would recommend the treatment to friends or family. Additionally, 81% of patients observed improvement in their global IBS symptoms, experiencing minimal to no side effects and no serious adverse events.
A Testimonial of Relief:
Lincoln’s story, shared by his mother, is particularly heartwarming. “Our son, Lincoln, has a severe food sensitivity to dairy. What many didn’t know is that he has suffered with chronic stomach pain the majority of his life. He rarely shared the fact that he was in pain with others. It was just what he thought he would have to deal with in his life. Seeing him in pain nightly was pure heartache for us. He needed ice packs or heating pads and would clench in pain. We felt so helpless as parents. We have tried everything from doctors to chiropractor to diet and GI scopes. We have learned good info from these but nothing took away his pain. All tests came back negative for any serious issues which we were blessed, but we still had no answers. Last spring, I came upon a post from a high school friend who wrote about her son and his chronic stomach pain. It was exactly the same symptoms as Lincoln was experiencing. Her son had a device called IB Stim placed on his ear to alleviate the pain. It was a success and I reached out to learn more. After researching and rolling out any serious issues we decided to go for it! It has been a month-long process of having the IB stem on his ear. Today we took it off and am happy to report we have a pain free boy!! To not have him come home from school in pain or lay awake at night is a miracle! He finally gets to be a child and not live in constant pain. We pray things stay great as they have for my friend’s little guy! I share our story so that we may hopefully help out more families who have children who suffer from chronic stomach pain. Our doctor was experienced in this and we all felt very comfortable with it. Placement stung and burned for about 5 to 10 minutes and then he was pain free for remainder of time it was placed. He had no trouble sleeping or playing sports. Each time we had a new device placed it got easier and easier. The IB stem support team was absolutely amazing! They were so responsive and made the process go quickly and smooth. One of the best companies I have ever dealt with! It’s a miracle to have our son happy and healthy and living a pain free life like all children should have!”
Conclusion:
The IB-Stim represents a significant step forward in managing the pain associated with adolescent IBS. It’s a testament to the power of innovative medical technology in improving young patients’ lives. For families seeking options to alleviate their children’s IBS pain, the IB-Stim offers a promising avenue. It’s about restoring the joys of childhood, enabling kids like Lincoln to live without the constant shadow of pain.
If you’re considering this treatment for your child, consult your healthcare provider to discuss whether the IB-Stim is right for your family.
