InterStim Therapy Volunteer: Tanya

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 name is Tanya and I'm a project manager and mother. I can't tell you how many times I sat in meetings and instead of focusing on project details, I was thinking, "When can I interrupt this meeting and go to the restroom?" When my teenage son was talking about school or work, I constantly had to say, "Hold that thought," and I'd run to the bathroom. Plus, I'm a runner, and having to go really distracted me when I was in 5K races. I couldn't wait to get to the finish line because I had to go.

The symptoms began 10 years ago, when I was 27 years old. I noticed I went to the bathroom more than anybody else, but initially I didn't think too much of it. Typically, I'd need to go about 12 times per day and I'd get up 2 to 3 times per night. I always felt like I had to go, but I only went small amounts.

After a few years of this, I saw a commercial for a bladder medication and went to see a urologist who prescribed it for me. Although the drug helped somewhat, I was only 30 years old and didn't want to be on medication the rest of my life. The urologist suggested stretching my uterus and bladder. I had that procedure done and it worked for 4 to 6 months, but then I returned to my previous level of frequency. I knew I should go back, but I just didn't want to deal with the hassle of the procedure. When I was 34 years old, I had another stretching procedure, and this time the effects lasted only 3 to 4 months. During the last few years, my frequency increased a bit more.

I travel a lot for work, which was really difficult with my bladder problems. When flying, I always had to have an aisle seat. I hoped the flight took off on time so I wasn't trapped in my seat too long while waiting for the "you're free to move about the cabin" message from the pilot. Finally, I thought, "At my age, I should be able to sleep through the night. I should be able to run a 5K and think about other muscles besides my bladder."

As a stroke of luck, I ran into somebody who told me about InterStim Therapy. After I researched it, I thought it would work for me, so I contacted a urologist familiar with it. Before we got serious about InterStim Therapy, he did urodynamic studies, had me try Kegel exercises, and reviewed the medications I'd tried. However, it was clear the other therapies weren't working, so in March 2008 we tested InterStim Therapy.

I had good results, and in April 2008 I had the system implanted. The only thing that was hard for me was not being able to work out or run while I was healing. Now I go 6 to 8 times during the day and I sleep through the night. It's easier to get up in the morning and I have more energy. InterStim Therapy has added so much time to my schedule. It's such a positive life-changing thing. I didn't realize how many ways my bladder problems impacted me—even little things—now my hands aren't dried out from washing them all the time. I have new peace of mind.

I can focus on things that matter in life instead of worrying about when or how to interrupt somebody. I can focus on my vacation destination, instead of when will the pilot turn off the fasten seatbelt light? I can think about my breathing while I'm running instead of "Will I make it to the finish line?" The only thing InterStim Therapy didn't do was improve my running time.

Sign up to talk with an InterStim Therapy volunteer

Next: Lee'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.

Please note: InterStim Therapy volunteer program is not intended to offer medical advice, counseling or product-related technical support. For medical questions, please talk with your doctor. If you have a Medtronic product and need technical support, please call 1-800-510-6735. Your discussion with an InterStim Therapy volunteer is meant to be a one-on-one conversation with an actual InterStim Therapy patient. The InterStim Therapy volunteers are instructed not to disclose any information about you to Medtronic or anyone else, but Medtronic cannot guarantee this will not happen. Therefore, please do not share any personal information about yourself with the volunteer unless you wish to do so. Medtronic will not participate in or monitor your conversation with a volunteer. The volunteers are not employees of Medtronic, and Medtronic does not control what they may say to you. For these reasons, Medtronic is not responsible for any statements the volunteers make. Medtronic encourages you to carefully review the information about InterStim Therapy on this website, and to discuss this therapy with your doctor. Medtronic reserves the right to end the InterStim Therapy volunteers program at any time, or to change volunteers from time to time.