Elaine H.
Urgency-frequency

This story recounts the experience of a patient who is receiving neurostimulation for the treatment of bladder control problems. Please bear in mind that the experience is specific to this particular person. Not everyone who receives InterStim Therapy will receive the same results as the patient in this story.

I received long-term InterStim Therapy in December 2004. The day of the procedure, I was hopeful that I would have even better results with long-term therapy than I did with the trial.

Knowledge is power, and when you've got some knowledge about what's going to happen, you definitely feel a whole lot better. My procedure was on a Friday and I was able to go back to work on Monday, though my doctor told me to avoid lifting and bending. I didn't need any pain medications.

At first, I got some relief from my symptoms, but I felt like it should be doing more than what it was doing. I was willing to be patient with it and give it a chance to work. In the first few weeks I went back to my doctor several times for adjustments. My doctor's nurse was so wonderful and encouraging, saying "Don't give up hope! There are lots of settings we can try."

She was right. Finally, we found settings that worked well, and now I'd say it controls 99% of my symptoms. Now I go about 5 times during the day, maybe twice in the evening. I don't get up at night, I'm done leaking and I no longer wear pads or carry extra clothes with me.

I remember the first time I slept through the night. I couldn't believe it. I woke up and asked my husband if the bed was wet – I was sure I had wet the bed, because I could never sleep through the night before, and sometimes when I got up I couldn't even make it to the bathroom.

At work, I could walk to the bathroom, and if someone hollered to me from their office, I could stand there and talk to them, rather than wetting my pants or running to the bathroom. I finally had control. I could control what my bladder was doing – my bladder wasn't controlling me. It's truly been a godsend.

I can be more social now. I can go to lunch with my girlfriends or go on shopping trips with my 2 daughters, without worrying about where all the bathrooms are. I was even able to join a low-impact water aerobics class, which I now teach. Before InterStim Therapy, being in water or even seeing water would have sent me running to the bathroom.

I feel like I'm free of something very burdensome. Even when I didn't know if InterStim Therapy would work, I was bound and determined to make it work, because I didn't want to go back to how I had been. I'd definitely say give it a try; it's not for everybody, but the freedom was worth it.

Next: Jane's Story

Medtronic invited this patient to share her story candidly. Not everyone who receives InterStim Therapy will receive the same results as the patient in this story. Talk with your doctor to determine if sacral nerve stimulation is right for you. In addition to risks related to a surgical procedure, complications associated with InterStim Therapy can include pain at the implant sites, new pain, infection, lead (thin wire) movement/migration, device problems, interactions with certain other devices or diagnostic equipment such as MRI, undesirable changes in urinary or bowel function, uncomfortable stimulation (sometimes described as a jolting or shocking feeling), and others. Surgery is required to remove the InterStim Therapy system. Please refer to Important Safety Information. Always discuss the potential risks and benefits of the therapy with your physician. This therapy is not for everyone. A prescription is required.