Jayne’s Story

Living With Urgency-Frequency

I can't tell you how many times doctors have told me, "It's all right, Honey" or "It happens when you get older. What do you expect?" But having to urinate 47 times in a 12-hour period is not all right. And there's more to life than touring every public bathroom in San Luis Obispo.

My name is Jayne. In 1997, when I was 53 years old, I began experiencing urinary frequency and urgency. On a typical day I averaged 47 trips to the bathroom between 7 am and 7 pm. I made a point not to count how many times I got up at night — knowing would just make me feel worse.

I tried many medications, but nothing helped. I carried pads and a change of clothes wherever I went. Eventually I couldn't go out. The only good thing about being home all the time was it gave me time to finish my rabbinical studies. Finally in 1999, I spoke with a woman who also had bladder control problems, and recommended I visit her doctor.

How Neurostimulation Helped Jayne

This doctor had just learned about neurostimulation and after evaluating me, she suggested I try it. Within 20 minutes of starting the trial assessment, I knew something was different. That one-week test felt like pure heaven. I could hardly bear for it to be taken out while I waited for the implant surgery.

Neurostimulation is life-altering. Now I go 6 or 7 times during the day and I sleep through the night. It's wonderful to be with my children and grandchildren and be part of their lives. I can go shopping with them and attend games where my granddaughter is cheerleading. In my work as a rabbi, I drive all over seeing hospice patients — something I never could have done before. I feel more confident because I no longer worry about leaking or smelling like urine. If I have a long service to perform or expect to be in a stressful situation, I turn up my stimulation, and it’s reassuring to know I'll be fine. Neurostimulation has been life-changing for me — it's amazing. I would definitely advise others to try it.

This story recounts the experience of one patient who is receiving neurostimulation for the treatment of urinary urgency-frequency. Medtronic invited her to share her story candidly. Please bear in mind that the experiences are specific to this particular person. Results vary; not every response is the same. Talk to your doctor to determine if neurostimulation is right for you. In addition to risks related to a medical procedure, complications from this therapy can include pain, infection, sensation of electrical shock, device problems, undesirable change in voiding function, and lead migration, among others.

Next: Josephine's Story

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.

Last updated: 5 Jun 2009