Susan W.
Urge incontinence

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.   

The effectiveness of the therapy really hit home when my doctor removed my trial leads in preparation for the long-term therapy, and my leaking resumed once again. Yet I felt some apprehension about getting surgery. When the day arrived, I was put at ease by my doctor, who answered all my questions, and by my Medtronic representative, who cheered me on. The procedure took place at a hospital in a single day: I arrived at 8:00 am, and left at 5:00 pm. 

My healing process, however, wasn’t as quick, and I grew impatient for my return to full health so I could resume my daily farm tasks. With fresh incision sites where the long term lead was implanted, I couldn’t stoop to feed chickens, bale hay, and perform other chores I enjoyed. Sometimes I would get careless and lean over, causing the lead to shift and send a slight shock through my body. Soon I became very deft at picking up things with my feet or squatting straight down to reach for objects on the ground.

My recovery period lasted several weeks, but being overly cautious, I took it easy and gave myself an extra time before I made a full return to my hectic lifestyle.

Like the trial, the results from my long-term therapy were immediate, and blew my expectations out of the water. I had to adjust my settings shortly after my surgery, but otherwise my therapy has been constant.

With InterStim Therapy I no longer waste time searching for restrooms and covering up accidents. I can commit myself completely to all the tasks I want and need to do, whether that’s collecting eggs, leisurely riding my horses, making sales calls, taking clients to lunch, presenting at meetings, or cooking supper.

InterStim Therapy has also freed me from potentially embarrassing situations. My intimacy with my husband is back, and I can wear light-colored clothes again—in elevators, and everywhere in between.

Next: Sarah's Story

Although you should be able to do most activities you did before surgery, there are some activities which may cause discomfort or affect your implanted neurostimulator. Review the following information, and if you have any concerns or questions about these or other activities, contact your doctor.

Activities you should avoid – You should avoid activities that involve sudden, excessive, or repetitive bending, twisting, bouncing, or stretching. These movements could damage or move your implanted lead or affect the implanted neurostimulator. Examples of such activities include gymnastics, mountain biking, and any other sport or activity that involves the movements
described above.

Activities you can continue – Activities that should not affect your implanted InterStim Therapy system include running, jogging, walking, road biking, swimming, sexual activity, etc.

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.