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Botox for Overactive Bladder

Posted by slr123 @slr123, Mar 11 12:16pm

I had Botox bladder injections for Overactive Bladder (OAB) four months ago. It has worked phenomenally well. The beneficial effects seem to be slowly wearing off. I have an Interstim which no longer helps. Medications have had significant side effects. Has anyone experience with bladder Botox and if so how long do the effects last and how quickly do the OAB symptoms return?

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nonnahelen | @nonnahelen | Sep 27 6:49am
In reply to @louisy "I was scheduled for the 2nd Botox procedure but had to cancel due to a UTI...." + (show)
Profile picture for louisy @louisy

I was scheduled for the 2nd Botox procedure but had to cancel due to a UTI. I was rescheduled for 10/2. As I wrote earlier, that first treatment worked so well and I felt like a new woman! I had been reluctant to try it but finally had had enough of feeling fearful of having an accident. I’m still a little uneasy about the thought of having this done periodically for the rest of my life! I’m 71 and I don’t think my overactive bladder and the spasms are going to respond to anything else unless something new comes along. It’s a tough dilemma for me. I worry about a possible cumulative risk of having this done repeatedly over time. I’d be interested in hearing from any people who have had multiple treatments and if there have been any side effects or if it stopped working completely. Thank you!

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@louisy I read your post with interest because I was scheduled to have Botox for oab 2 years ago and had to cancel for a uti also. Upon getting a second opinion regarding recurring UTIs,it was suggested that the Botox might lead to more UTIs,if my bladder wasn’t emptied completely due to the Botox affect. I am glad it worked for you,but did you have any infections since your first treatment,other than the recent one?

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louisy | @louisy | Sep 28 3:08am
In reply to @nonnahelen "@louisy I read your post with interest because I was scheduled to have Botox for oab..." + (show)
Profile picture for nonnahelen @nonnahelen

@louisy I read your post with interest because I was scheduled to have Botox for oab 2 years ago and had to cancel for a uti also. Upon getting a second opinion regarding recurring UTIs,it was suggested that the Botox might lead to more UTIs,if my bladder wasn’t emptied completely due to the Botox affect. I am glad it worked for you,but did you have any infections since your first treatment,other than the recent one?

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@nonnahelen funny you should ask about UTIs. I’ve had recurrent UTIs for over 2 years. Once I had the Botox treatment and had more control over my bladder and wasn’t having so much leaking & overflows, my UTIs dropped way off! They started coming back as the Botox stopped working. I think the bladder infections were actually caused by having fairly frequent skin contact with damp pads! There are times when I’m driving or somewhere where I can’t access a bathroom right away and my pad gets wet or worse! There’s pretty direct contact with the pad and my urethra….close enough anyway that bacteria could easily make its way to my bladder. One reason I really look forward to this Botox treatment is to get relief again from back to back UTIs. I didn’t experience an inability to fully empty my bladder. In fact I had better control and also using accessory muscles, I was able to totally empty my bladder. Maybe get a second opinion on the use of Botox. I think it would be worth it. Let me know how it turns out!

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itsmeagain | @itsmeagain | Oct 6 5:10pm

@itsmeagain
Yes I had the Botox treatment several times with good success. It’s supposed to last 6 to 9 months.
I had stopped for a couple of years because of other issues and had another treatment last month with no success at all. So I’m returning to my gynecologist to discuss other options. I’m disappointed Botox didn’t work but hope we can find something else.
Good luck to ALL of us.

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itsmeagain | @itsmeagain | Oct 12 11:27am

@itsmeagain
Yes I’ve had Botox several times and it’s great. It’s expected to last 6 to 9 months on average.
Stick with it.

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izzywizzy | @izzywizzy | Dec 5 8:41pm
In reply to @louisy "Wow I sure understand bladder spasms! I don’t even feel a need to go, then all..." + (show)
Profile picture for louisy @louisy

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!

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@louisy
I have exactly the same issues. No control. It's terrible and affects me day and night. I'm 61. I finally got Botox for bladder treatment today! I'm so excited.
Did you urologist also discuss your Botox dosage? It can be increased. Though if your dose worked 100% then I'd suppose increasing would not be the right thing. I'd go for treatments as often as needed. Trust your doctor! This can be life changing IMO.
Also, there are still other options to consider. The nerve stimulator as well as surgeries.
None of us should have to live with this condition.

I'll post my experience with how this works for me.
I've had many injections for arthritis so I have really good pain tolerence. But my bladder injections hurt, some more than others. Apparently there are certain locations on the bkadder where it will hurt more. Entry through urethra hurt the most. And I'm achy afterward. I'll discuss with my doctor what can be done differently next time.
Good luck to you @princessbunny . I was told the Botox effect can wear off differently for people. (So dont be concerned about 3 month wearing off you experienced.) That when I first feel it wearing off just call and make an appointment right away since there can be a bit of a wait time for appointments (2-3months).

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itsmeagain | @itsmeagain | Dec 7 10:23am

@itsmeagain
Yes, I’ve had success with Botox. It supposed to last 6-9 months and that has been my experience. I recommend it.

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