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Bladder conditions support: Introduce yourself and connect
Welcome to the bladder conditions support group on Mayo Clinic Connect.
This is a welcoming, safe place for anyone living with a bladder condition, like cystitis, UTIs, overactive bladder, interstitial cystitis or overactive bladder. You’re invited to share your experiences, ask questions big or small, and offer encouragement to others walking a similar path.
Please take these steps to participate in the group:
- Follow the group.
- Browse the topics.
- Use the group search to find answers to your questions.
- Introduce yourself.
No matter where you are in your journey — newly diagnosed, managing symptoms for years, or supporting a loved one — you’re invited to join the conversation and connect with others.
Let’s chat. Why not start by introducing yourself? What is your experience, or your loved one’s experience, living with a bladder condition? (i.e., what condition, how it’s managed)?
Do you have a question to ask or a story to share?
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Please excuse typos the microphone is not perfect
@rex321
Wow, you have certainly been and are being tortured with this problem. I have OAB too, but nothing like that. If you can get to a university teaching hospital for help, that would be your best bet.
I have the InterSTIM device but the battery stopped charging after a year. From what I have read, that is unusual. So sorry for all you’ve gone through. Dolly
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2 Reactions@loriballesteros I have had CT Urogram with dye and without. I have had not problems with the bladder being aggravated. After you have the dye, they tell you to drink lots to flush that out of your body. Last time I had a CT, I was given water before the procedure began.
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1 Reaction@dollyjaneprenzel Have they checked the battery and are the wires still in place?
@kmb24 Has anyone talked to you about Interstim implant?
Yes, the battery has been declared dead after some testing. The wires are still in place. It has never worked well for me and I plan to have it removed after the first of the year. Thanks for asking.
@kmb24 I understand the implant is successful in 4 out of 5 people. Before the implant there is a trial phase to see if it is successful for you. If you have success then the implant is done. This does not give you 100% continence, but a huge improvement in quality of life. I was in the bathroom 22 times a day, now I am there 11 times a day. I call that a success. It has improved my quality of life.
I am an 82 year old male. I have to urinate anywhere from 4 to 6 times a night. Medication has not helped. I am undergoing an InterStim test period starting next week (11/4/2025), lasting for a week. If that is successful, I will likely have the InterStim implant. The major reason being that botox injections appear to work well, but only last six months, and I don’t want to repeat the injections that often, especially as I get (even) older. Medtronic claims the battery will last for 12 years, and that I can still have an MRI done after the implant.
I am looking for advice on what to do. Should I try the botox injections before I commit to the implant?
Thanks for any advice.
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2 Reactions@klp
My bladder was nicked by radiation while treating prostate cancer approximately 8 yrs. later i have burning & blood in my urine & urine is brown colour i took some antibiotics it stopped for a year & it just came back now the same symptoms i was told hyper barack therapy is there another method ?
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