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Customer Support

Please Read Our Disclaimer

Revised: May 25, 2001, May 2003
Diane Manhattan-Lopresti

When a patient considers sacral nerve stimulation as an option for treating IC, they are often overwhelmed by questions and worries. Is it successful? Are there side effects? If it works, how do I maintain it? If it doesn't work, what other options do I have. During the Winter of 2001, ICN Founder Jill Osborne met with Medtronic's Ben Wasscher and Janell Gottesman to develop a new orientation checklist for patients to help address these concerns.

If you are a patient, please bring this list with you to your medical care provider as you prepare for your nerve stimulation orientation. Review each section carefully. Remember that nerve stimulation is positioned as a treatment to be considered ONLY after other less invasive strategies have occurred. You should know what treatments you've already tried.

If you decide to have a trial, it is important that you understand how to care for your implant. Watch the video provided. If one isn't available, you can contact Medtronic to have it mailed to you. Before the trial, you may want to establish a "safe word" to use with your physician if your pain level gets too intense during the trial. Don't be afraid to speak up.

After the trial and/or surgery, you may need some help with pain management. Ask your physician, ahead of time, to give you pain management suggestions, assistance and, if needed, a prescription. If you have the trial (and/or surgery) and don't respond favorably, please don't be disheartened. Not all treatments work for every patient. If you have a failure, you still have other options to explore. Don't give up and or lose hope. Hopefully, this checklist will have helped you create a list of other options to try if this doesn't work.

The ICN Message Board System now has four message boards dedicated to nerve stimulation, including "Success Stories," "Failures," "Considering It" and "Undergoing Trials." Feel free to post any questions that you have. It's a great place to read about sucess stories (and failures) and to reach out to other patients who have also undergone the procedure. Don't forget to cruise the Medtronic Interstim web site! You'll find downloadable voiding diaries, post trial instructions and much more! Good Luck to you!

1. Have you considered and tried other conservative treatments (not necessarily in this order):

a. DMSO
b. Elmiron
c. Antihistamines
d. Antidepressants
e. Hydrodistension
f. Pelvic Floor Therapies
g. Diet Modification
h. Pain care
i. Self help

2. Have you watched the InterStim patient video? (Available from Medtronic) Do you understand what the difference is between a trial and the surgical implant?

3. Have you read the Patient Guide to the Test Stimulation? (Available from Medtronic)

4. Have you talked with other patients who have experience with InterStim (both successes and failures) your physician may be able to organize this? The ICN Message Boards are a good way to meet others who are undergoing trials or surgeries. Their experience may be very helpful to you.

5. Have you discussed any concerns with your physician? Make a list of questions before your final appointment and review them with your physician. Don't be silent.

6. Have you discussed pain care both during and after the trial? Do you know
how to treat any pain you may experience? If so, what will you do or use?
Make a list and keep it handy. Keep copies of any prescriptions with you and
have them filled before you leave the facility.

7. Are you aware of what you should and should not do during the 3-5 day test stimulation period? (See Patient Guide to Test Stimulation)

8. Have you agreed a “safe word” with your physician to have the test stimulation procedure stopped if the pain is no longer bearable?

9. Who is driving you home from the procedure? (A friend or relative?)

10. Are you aware of the Medtronic patient services telephone number?

11. Are you aware where to get support after hours? Will your doctor or nursing staff be available?

12. Do you know how to operate the test stimulator?

13. Do you know how to complete your voiding diaries? Don't forget to fill them in before and during test stimulation! These will help you determine if the implant is working.

14. Has your physician discussed the complications that can occur with this therapy?

15. In some instances (when the lead moves) a second test stimulation may be recommended.