Options for female incontinence with complex history?

Posted by vickij1956 @vickij1956, Jan 27 2:30pm

My history is complex. I had a sling procedure done in 2009 which helped, but didn't completely fix, so that was followed by a shot of botox 1 year later.
The botox caused me to black out (they actually called a code blue!) however did help with the incontinence, but it was determined not to use again for me.
About 10 years later, my incontinence got quite a bit worse. My urologist decided to try Bulkamid with me. I had a few episodes of UTI's after that and 8 months later a complete urinary blockage of my urethra. I went to ER, catheterization and surgery to remove the blockage 1 week later. The blockage was referred to as a "Pseudo Abscess" and was excised in surgery. My Dr. believes this was caused by the Bulkamid.
After this surgery, I had no control over my bladder. Complete incontinence. Continuous use of depends. My urologist scheduled surgery for 6 months later.
I had that surgery, an autologous fascial pubovaginal sling with excision of the mesh from the sling surgery 10 years prior. I seemed pretty good for 6 weeks, but since then my incontinence is returning. 3/4 Poise pads a day. I never have an urge to urinate, it just leaks out.
I'm 69 years old, single and truly would like to find something that would work for me.
I've heard of artificial sphincter's where you control the output of your urine. Have been used extensively in men, but is occurring in women as well.
Has any female had this procedure done? Outcome? Also, has anyone had a bladder pacemaker? Does that help?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bladder Conditions Support Group.

I do not know if the implant by Medtronic called InterStim would help, but I would ask your doctor. There is much information online from Medtronic. I had this done last year and it has greatly improved my daily life.

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I do not know if the implant by Medtronic called InterStim would help, but I would ask your doctor. There is much information online from Medtronic. I had this done last year and it has greatly improved my daily life.

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@rainyday541 I will ask her about it, but I don't think it would work for me. It sounds like it is more for urge incontinence? Mine is stress incontinence and at this point, I don't think my urethra sphincter works at all. 🙁

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I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been having a rough time of navigating this overactive bladder issue.
My urogyn is suggesting the Botox treatment, but the side effects (even though only 10 to 30 percent) are concerning. . . UTIs, urethra malfunction, and possible self-catheterization for as long as nine months. And now hearing that you actually blacked out during the procedure has me even more concerned.
I think I’ll be stuck wearing pads. 😔
PS: what I did find helpful was pelvic floor physical therapy. But I haven’t been faithful to the daily exercises (about 15 to 20 minutes daily) and that’s important for good results. So I’m going to get back into PT for now. Best of luck on your quest for a solution. (I, too, had a complete hysterectomy and also a mesh sling, which helped for only about five years.)

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