Botox for Overactive Bladder

sir123, 3 to 6 months. But sometimes after a few injections, it just calms down. The return of symptoms is usually gradual.

I've gotten botox injections for cluster migraines since 2009 every 90 days and they literally save my life because the pain was so severe, I didn't want to live. I was going to start researching botox for overactive bladder myself. Does a urologist do the injections? I see a neurologist for the headaches. I was just DX in January and TURBT done 2 weeks ago at Mayo with mito treatment and stent in left ureter. Thanks in advance for your help!

Yes, Urologists do the injections at the time of a cystoscopy. It can be done as an outpatient. It generally takes two weeks to have a full effect. The primary risks are urinary retention and infection. It is usually reserved for patients that haven't responded or had side effects from medications for overactive bladder. Interstim implants can also be helpful. They require a two week trial period to see if they help before placing the implant.

Wow so many things to learn about! Thank you for your help 🙂

My Urologist does Bladder Botox treatments.

I have no control over my bladder. None. My issue is bladder spasms. She is going to do a Botox injection on me. She claims her patients have excellent results from this treatment.

She does it in the hospital, it is an outpatient surgery procedure.

My doctor's PA recommended taking a class which shows
exercises to help control (?) alleviate (?) incontinence, but I haven't
started them yet. Has anyone heard of this as a remedy?? K

Wow I sure understand bladder spasms! I don’t even feel a need to go, then all the sudden that strong feeling of “sort of pain” and then look out….here comes the rush (gush!). It’s so frustrating. I just have to wait it out and hope I don’t overflow my pad. I’ve gotten to where I don’t even want to go anywhere for fear I’ll have an accident. Like you, I have none, zero control. It just comes out like a faucet and I just have to wait it out.
The oral meds didn’t work and I finally got so tired of this I tried the Botox injections. I had been leery because of the possible (rare but serious) side effects. Kept worrying I’d become paralyzed Lol. I had the procedure. My urologist did it in the clinic. It wasn’t bad at all. If you’ve had a cystoscopy you know there’s a bit of discomfort. The only other was each time he injected, I felt a pinch. He did 5 injections. Only took 5-6 minutes after all the prep. I started noticing the difference within 3 days! It was glorious!! I felt SO free of that constant fear. I still wore a pad but rarely had any issues. The downside is as that it started wearing off after 2 months. There was still some effect for another 1.5 months but then (and now) I’m back where I started. Again, I’ve gotten so tired of it that I’m having it done again this week. I was hesitant but it’s been 6 months at this point so I’m not as concerned about side effects or risks. The urologist said it’s fine to get another treatment every 12 weeks but it kind of scared me that close together. So I would highly recommend it if you’ve tried the oral meds with no relief. I’m interested in your progress and anyone else out there who have had any experience (good and bad) with Botox. All the best to you @princessbunny!

The pelvic PT worked well for me and the exercises were recommended by my husband's doctor to decrease effects of his prostate cancer treatments. It involves a lot of pelvic floor exercises to strengthen muscles down there, not limited to Kegel. My PT said her patients include women post-pregnancy, folk with cycling injuries down there, men with ED, and people with urinary or fecal incontinence.

Please let us know if that works for you.

My problem is usually when I get up at night
for the first time ( out of 3 ). I have taken to
wearing the paper panties at night which
hopefully will save my sheets & mattress. K