Is InterStim Therapy Right for You?
InterStim® Therapy is designed to minimize the symptoms of bowel incontinence, including the leakage of liquid or solid stools. InterStim Therapy may be a good option for people who have not had success with, or are not candidates for, more conservative treatments.
The trial assessment lets you try neurostimulation to see if it is right for you without making a long-term commitment. The trial assessment may take a few to several days to complete.
Here’s how it works:
- Your doctor will implant a thin, flexible wire (also known as a "lead," and pronounced "leed") near your tailbone. The wire is taped to your skin and connected to a small external device which you’ll wear on your waistband.
- The external device sends mild electrical pulses through the wire to nerves near your tailbone. The stimulation may get your bowel working the way it is supposed to.
During the trial assessment, you can continue many of your low- to moderate-level daily activities with caution. You can usually continue to work throughout your trial assessment if your job doesn’t require strenuous movement.
You’ll be asked to document your symptoms. The trial assessment will help your doctor determine the next course of treatment for your bowel control problems.
Your doctor or nurse will give you information about operating the test stimulator. He or she will also tell you about any precautions or activity restrictions related to the trial assessment.
The results of InterStim Therapy vary from person to person. This treatment option is not a cure for bowel control problems; however, it may help relieve your symptoms.
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.
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