Pie* BP; a possible answer

Raven · 07-12-2004, 08:36 PM

Is this an answer for us?

link

Interesting idea.

Kaprikorn1 · 07-12-2004, 09:17 PM

Raven...I looked into this quite a bit. Go to their website and get the pdf downloads. I also spoke to a c3/4 who uses 1. It seemed like a godsend to me at the time but was changing insurance and couldn't get them to pay.

If you have problems w/ constipation/impaction it will help I'm sure. SCI nurse (kld) says they use them in hospitals and rehabs with great results. I'm going to be trying to get BLue Shield to pay for the 2 month trial if they won't go for the whole $8,000 plus for my own.

There was another thread on them here on care a while back.

Kap

"It's not easy being green"

Wesley · 07-13-2004, 12:43 PM

I have used pie as my regular bp for the past two years. I would stress the point that KLD has made several times about pie, it has not been clinically proven safe as a bp over a long period of time. It's FDA approval is as a bowel irrigation devise. So, what it's doing to me over the long-term is an unknown. They have been selling these things for eight or nine years and I haven't heard of any lawsuits or dramatic problems. I'll keep my fingers crossed (if I could only move my damn fingers)

.

As far as using PIE...
it takes about two hours, from pulling machine out to the final cleanup, with about 45 minutes of actually doing the procedure.
The procedure is not comfortable. It can vary from mild cramping to causing the dry heaves (rare).
It takes awhile to become proficient. You can expect some real messes while learning to use this machine. I think this system is best adapted for those of us who need a lot of assistance anyway (high level quads), since it requires an assistant to run the machine.
While the process is odorless during the actual procedure, it is not for the person emptying it into the toilet. We were fortunate enough to be able to put a small drain next to my bed that eliminates the collection bag. Highly recommended!
The upside for me as I was able to go from a daily BP to three times a week and have been accident free for two years.
I'd be glad to answer any questions.

"The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers" Henry VI Part II

TINAMARIE · 07-13-2004, 12:58 PM

Wesley,

Has it decreased the number of UTI's you've had? How hard is it to get insurance to pay for it?

Tina
C5-C7 Walking Quad
Aug '03

Wesley · 07-13-2004, 03:08 PM

I have a Foley catheter and haven't had an infection since being in the hospital after my initial injury 8/00. I can't ascribed that to the pie since I used a conventional BP during that time also. However, I can say that PIE has eliminated lingering odors that I had from doing the daily BP. I don't get stool on my skin with Pie. The only exception to that is once every couple months I will have a small additional discharge after the pie device has been removed. It occurs within 20 minutes of ending the procedure, while I'm still on chucks. Not a big deal.

I have a weird workers comp insurer that fights me tooth and nail for obviously necessary stuff, yet complies easily on issues like PIE and a FES bike. I can't offer any practical suggestions other than those recommended by the pie manufacturer. Those are to document your difficulties with your current BP and how these difficulties impact your life (that could be reoccurring UTI's) and to a find sympathetic physician.

The pie web site would give you the impression that their system is the quick, odorless solution to bowel maintenance. Like anything, the reality is a little more complicated. PIE has its drawbacks, like: expense, complexity and,ultimately, one's dependence on a machine to do this most basic life function. But, for now, it's worked out well for me.

"The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers" Henry VI Part II

07-12-2004, 08:36 PM	#1
Raven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Earth Posts: 3,089	*Pie BP; a possible answer** Is this an answer for us? link Interesting idea.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

07-12-2004, 09:17 PM	#2
Kaprikorn1 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.F. Bay Area, Calif. Posts: 1,369	Raven...I looked into this quite a bit. Go to their website and get the pdf downloads. I also spoke to a c3/4 who uses 1. It seemed like a godsend to me at the time but was changing insurance and couldn't get them to pay. If you have problems w/ constipation/impaction it will help I'm sure. SCI nurse (kld) says they use them in hospitals and rehabs with great results. I'm going to be trying to get BLue Shield to pay for the 2 month trial if they won't go for the whole $8,000 plus for my own. There was another thread on them here on care a while back. Kap "It's not easy being green"

07-13-2004, 12:43 PM	#3
Wesley Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,733	I have used pie as my regular bp for the past two years. I would stress the point that KLD has made several times about pie, it has not been clinically proven safe as a bp over a long period of time. It's FDA approval is as a bowel irrigation devise. So, what it's doing to me over the long-term is an unknown. They have been selling these things for eight or nine years and I haven't heard of any lawsuits or dramatic problems. I'll keep my fingers crossed (if I could only move my damn fingers) . As far as using PIE... it takes about two hours, from pulling machine out to the final cleanup, with about 45 minutes of actually doing the procedure. The procedure is not comfortable. It can vary from mild cramping to causing the dry heaves (rare). It takes awhile to become proficient. You can expect some real messes while learning to use this machine. I think this system is best adapted for those of us who need a lot of assistance anyway (high level quads), since it requires an assistant to run the machine. While the process is odorless during the actual procedure, it is not for the person emptying it into the toilet. We were fortunate enough to be able to put a small drain next to my bed that eliminates the collection bag. Highly recommended! The upside for me as I was able to go from a daily BP to three times a week and have been accident free for two years. I'd be glad to answer any questions. "The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers" Henry VI Part II

07-13-2004, 12:58 PM	#4
TINAMARIE Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Covington, Georgia Posts: 396	Wesley, Has it decreased the number of UTI's you've had? How hard is it to get insurance to pay for it? Tina C5-C7 Walking Quad Aug '03

07-13-2004, 03:08 PM	#5
Wesley Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,733	I have a Foley catheter and haven't had an infection since being in the hospital after my initial injury 8/00. I can't ascribed that to the pie since I used a conventional BP during that time also. However, I can say that PIE has eliminated lingering odors that I had from doing the daily BP. I don't get stool on my skin with Pie. The only exception to that is once every couple months I will have a small additional discharge after the pie device has been removed. It occurs within 20 minutes of ending the procedure, while I'm still on chucks. Not a big deal. I have a weird workers comp insurer that fights me tooth and nail for obviously necessary stuff, yet complies easily on issues like PIE and a FES bike. I can't offer any practical suggestions other than those recommended by the pie manufacturer. Those are to document your difficulties with your current BP and how these difficulties impact your life (that could be reoccurring UTI's) and to a find sympathetic physician. The pie web site would give you the impression that their system is the quick, odorless solution to bowel maintenance. Like anything, the reality is a little more complicated. PIE has its drawbacks, like: expense, complexity and,ultimately, one's dependence on a machine to do this most basic life function. But, for now, it's worked out well for me. "The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers" Henry VI Part II