The effects of Botox on the bladder are not permanent, and most patients experience relief for 6 to 12 months (7.5 months on average). When the effects wear off, the injection needs to be repeated to maintain the clinical effect. Fortunately, most people notice a difference in their symptoms within a few days. Treatment results usually last around six months and additional injections may be necessary.
A possible side effect is urine retention, so it is not recommended for men with an enlarged prostate or a history of one. It is usually a plan B treatment for those who have not responded well to bladder relaxing medications. Before leaving the office, you will be asked to empty your bladder and your doctor will check that no additional urine is retained when you go to the bathroom. In other words, Botox works very well for those who cannot evacuate on their own or have some residual urine in the bladder that does not pass with normal urination.
In urology, it can be injected into the bladder muscle to improve symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB). When Botox is injected into the bladder muscle, thick muscle bands, known as trabeculation, are treated. Most major health insurance providers, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover the cost of Botox medical treatments. Botox is an option to treat urge incontinence or overactive bladder in people who have not been successful with other treatment options.
A certain amount of residual urine doesn't cause much trouble, but if this residual urine is high, or if a patient is unable to evacuate, a catheter must be placed or a patient has to pass a catheter periodically to drain his bladder. If you have any problems urinating after Botox injections in your bladder, you should contact your doctor. This will eliminate leakage from bladder spasms and patients are often dry between catheterizations. When looking for a doctor near you to give Botox injections into your bladder, make sure that the doctor is board certified and specializes in the area of interest.
Botox is generally used to improve conditions with muscle spasticity, involuntary muscle contractions, excessive sweating, and muscle twitching of the eyelids or eyes. You don't need general anesthesia for Botox injections in the bladder, but your doctor will give you a local anesthetic to temporarily numb your bladder and not feel the injections, similar to how a dentist numbs your mouth before filling a cavity. Because of the risk of urinary retention (difficulty in completely emptying the bladder), only patients who are willing and able to initiate post-treatment catheterization, if necessary, should be considered for treatment. Botox for urinary incontinence is often recommended when conservative treatments fail to stop involuntary urine loss or overactive bladder.
