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.

My entire life I’ve had a problem with leaking, and difficulty realizing when my bladder was full. As a child I would urinate in the morning and then forget to go for the rest of the day. When nature finally caught up with me, I would rush to the nearest restroom—that is, during the times I was lucky. More often than not, I would have an accident.

My name is Susan, and my problem didn’t go away as I got older. Instead, it became worse. When I reached my late 20s, the frequency of my leaks increased, as did the amount of urine I leaked per episode. I would leak while I was in public or caring for my horses. Sometimes the leaks came without any warning.

My days revolved around locating and being aware of nearby restrooms, since I’d never know when I’d need them. I would try to go before I left the house so I wouldn’t get caught unprepared while out in public. As I entered my 30s and pursued a career as a sales representative, I kept an arsenal of pads to deal with accidents, especially while visiting clients.

My most horrific accident happened on a crowded elevator shortly after a successful business meeting. Without warning my bladder let loose. Mortified, I wrapped my blazer around my wet skirt, and drove to a store to buy new clothes so I could return to work.

After that incident, I stepped up my efforts to better manage what was, to me, a practical problem. Black and navy blue became my wardrobe colors to camouflage any leaks, and I kept a change of clothes with me at all times. What I didn’t do was see a doctor. Instead, I thought to myself: “This is a natural part of getting older.” My mother and both my grandmothers had bladder control problems that came with age and childbirth. Leaking, I was led to believe, was normal.

I didn’t confide in very many people about my problem, including my husband. But it sure did affect our intimacy. It got so bad at times that I had to lay down towels on our bed. While it was frustrating and embarrassing to me, he always remained supportive and understanding.

Despite these difficulties, I never let my bladder issue hold me back or keep me down. Instead, I approached it with a sense of humor. On my hobby farm, I would dump a bucket of water on my overalls to cover up my accidents, and then laugh about it. While my bladder was always on my mind, I always found a way to adapt. I loved life too much to not do the things I loved to do.

I was quite prepared to go on living with bladder problem until a doctor’s visit for a different health condition led me on the path to InterStim Therapy. The topic of my bladder came up during a conversation with a specialist to whom I had been referred. I admitted then that I had struggled with leaking for years but had never tried medical treatment. Imagine my surprise upon learning my symptoms weren’t normal.

After trying more conservative treatments, I still didn’t have the control that my doctor and I were looking for. Then she suggested I try InterStim Therapy. Having seen positive results among other patients, my doctor was hopeful that it would work for me. I was excited by the idea, and my husband told me I had nothing to lose.

Read the next part of Susan’s story – Step 1: InterStim Therapy evaluation

Next: Sarah'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.