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Living With an InterStim System

Overactive Bladder

You may be able to do things you were not able to do before receiveing Medtronic Bladder Control Therapy (Sacral Neuromodulation delivered by the InterStim™ System)  — take long walks through the park, see movies at the theatre, or travel. While it may take a while to adjust to the therapy, you should be able to resume normal activities soon.

Remember: Even after you’ve made a full recovery from surgery and resumed your normal routine, it’s important to stay in touch with your doctor about any questions or concerns you have.

Ongoing Support

You'll receive ongoing support before, during, and after your implant procedure. Your doctor and his or her team should be your first point of contact when you have questions about Medtronic Bladder Control Therapy.

Makre sure that you ask your health care professional about:

  • What to expect during and after the implant procedure
  • How to program your neurostimulator
  • When to call your doctor
  • Troubleshooting tips
  • Answers to your questions
  • Other helpful information

As a medical device manufacturer, Medtronic can offer technical assistance when you have questions about or problems with your InterStim System; however, Medtronic is not able to comment on your medical condition. For assistance with the use of your device or programmer, please contact the Medtronic Technical Support Helpline on 01923 205101. Their hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Common Concerns

Some people report feeling worried because they don’t feel stimulation all the time. If this is a concern of yours, or if you are not receiving adequate symptom relief, please discuss with your health care professional. 

If you have questions about your neuromodulation therapy, if you are not receiving adequate symptom relief, or if your OAB symptoms return, call your doctor.

having an MRI Head Scan

When following specific guidelines from Medtronic, MRI technologists can safely perform an MRI head scan on people with an implanted InterStim™ II system and specific InterStim™ I systems. Full-body MRI scans may result in severe injury to you or damage to your device.

If a doctor prescribes an MRI head scan for you, inform the doctor and MRI technicians that you have an implanted device prior to your MRI examination appointment. Full MRI safety information is available for your doctor or the Medtronic Technical Support Helpline on 01923 205101. Their hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Patient Therapy Guide

Your doctor should give you an InterStim™ Therapy patient guide when you consider the evaluation. 

Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.