“I will not be at Strictly Strength on Friday,” I told Marita. “Where will you be?” she asked. “Getting Bladder Botox,” I told her. Here eyes bugged out. Marita is well aware of the benefits of Botox on her forehead and knows that it relieves migraine headaches for lots of people. But bladder, she had never heard of. We got together over lunch so I could tell her about it. She thought there were likely others in our age group who had no idea this solution for overactive bladder and urgency incontinence—or, that Medicare will pay for it (After you jump through a few hoops).
Frequency and Urgency
Before I discovered Bladder Botox, the cabinet above my toilet was filled with a variety of types of pads worn daily for overactive bladder. Not a fun way to live and not one that suited my lifestyle. I used to get up 2 or three times a night.
The frequency and urgency were like a ball and chain. No matter where I was, I had to be sure I knew where the closest bathroom was. It determined where I sat on the plane and made car travel difficult. Plus, it was embarrassing.
Post-Menopausal Symptom
Sadly, this is just one more symptom of being post-menopausal (at least we don’t have to deal with having a period). But the good news is there are medications that are effective. For me, bladder Botox was the best option.
Procedure
The actual procedure is brief and the benefits reportedly last 6-12 months. In my experience, it lasts about 9 months before it has to be redone.
The in-office procedure is done by a urologist under local anesthesia: lidocaine. It is similar to getting a female exam. The longest portion of the treatment is getting the lidocaine distributed through the bladder and then giving it time to work.
In a post from UCLA Health, they report: “a small scope (about the size of a catheter used to drain the bladder) which is connected to a camera is placed into your bladder through the urethra and a series of injections of Botox solution are done into the muscle of the bladder using a small needle that is passed through the scope. The actual injection procedure takes about five minutes or less.” This aligns with my experience. Once the lidocaine takes effect, each injection feels like just a minor prick.
According to Urology Associates of Colorado: “Botox works by calming the nerves to help block the signals that trigger OAB or incontinence.” They also suggest it for men with an enlarged prostrate.
Once you leave you don’t feel any different. It takes 10 days to 2 weeks to be effective.
I had to try three different medications (Oxybututin 1st, Myrbetriq prescribed 2nd, and Tolterodine 3rd) to determine that they didn’t work before Medicare would pay for the Bladder Botox. As I had previously decided that Bladder Botox was the route I wanted to go, I may not have been as diligent as I, maybe, could have been.
Freedom
When Marita asked what I felt was the major benefit of Bladder Botox, I quickly replied: “Freedom from worry!” I then added: “No embarrassment.”
If you have overactive bladder and urgency incontinence, do your own research. If it sounds like the right solution for you, talk to your doctor. I believe, you will be glad you did. I intend to benefit from bladder Botox for the rest of my life.
Well! We REALLY do learn something new every day! This is fantastic!!! Bless you and I am so thankful you do not have to be embarrassed anymore. THIS is going in my note file with hopes of never having to use it! GREAT info. Really….
thank you for sharing.
Great to know. Good info. Thanks!
I don’t have this bladder problem but I live in a 55 plus community where sharing this info at my Ladies Chat Group could be well received! Many are in their 80s and probably want to keep it private if they have it. THANKS FOR SHARING THIS!!