8 replies to this topic

[Lalla]

Hi guys and gals,

I'm a C6-C7 quad. I was involved in an accident in 2004. Since the accident I've always struggled with overactive bladder. I initially started with intermittent cath which didn't work well because of constant leaking. My bladder holds about 300ml and then empty's itself.
My urologist then suggested a condom catheter but recently the pressure levels in my bladder and kidney have become to high. Also, my bladder wasn't emptying completely causing endless UTI's.
My urologist has now suggested BOTOX for my bladder. It allows the bladder to hold more urine and less accidents for intermittent cath.

Has anyone been for this procedure or heard of it? I'd appreciate any views..

Regards,
Lalla

[Paul Breen]

I reguarly review medical progress that is occuring relating to spinal injury. Below is a story that I picked up which may be of use. If you would like any further articles, please let me know:

Botox SCI treatment

Eight years ago, Lynette Kunz suffered a severe spinal cord injury that left her a quadriplegic and sufferer of involuntary bladder contractions.
The condition constantly interfered with her daily life.

"I can somewhat detect when my bladder is full, but I have a much shorter time span for getting to the bathroom than someone with a normal bladder," said Ms. Kunz, 42. "I could not sit down for an entire meal at a restaurant because I was in constant fear of suffering an embarrassing incident."

Now, thanks to a procedure performed at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Ms. Kunz has regained control of her bladder by receiving injections of botulinum toxin A, commonly known as Botox.

The treatment, being administered by Dr. Gary Lemack, associate professor of urology, consists of injecting Botox into numerous sites in the bladder. The toxin blocks the release of the chemical that causes the muscles to contract. Although the treated muscles become paralyzed or weakened, other muscles are unaffected and can function normally.

"Damaged nerves may send signals to the bladder at the wrong time, causing its muscles to squeeze without warning," said Dr. Lemack. "The Botox prevents the bladder muscles from having these spasms that lead to urinary frequency and urgency. The treatment will vastly improve bladder function in the majority of patients for a period of six to nine months."

Botox has been used by physicians internationally to treat conditions in the lower urinary tract, but the therapy has not been approved officially in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administration. Over the last five years Dr. Lemack has treated nearly 40 patients with the drug and has taught postgraduate courses on its potential uses.

He is currently conducting a Botox clinical trial, the results of which could impact future FDA determinations concerning the drug's usage for urological conditions. The research at UT Southwestern is being funded by Allergan, which manufactures Botox.

Dr. Lemack said the treatment is promising and offers hope for patients like Ms. Kunz.

"I was not interested in undergoing invasive bladder surgeries to relieve my condition," Ms. Kunz said. "I'm independent to a degree; that's very important to me. I am a mother and extremely active in my community. The treatments have ensured spasms and leakage won't slow me down, and I'm thankful to be receiving these injections from Dr. Lemack. I'd definitely recommend Botox for someone in a situation similar to mine."


Source - Medical Research News

Paul

Lalla, on Jan 9 2008, 07:53 AM, said:

Hi guys and gals,

I'm a C6-C7 quad. I was involved in an accident in 2004. Since the accident I've always struggled with overactive bladder. I initially started with intermittent cath which didn't work well because of constant leaking. My bladder holds about 300ml and then empty's itself.
My urologist then suggested a condom catheter but recently the pressure levels in my bladder and kidney have become to high. Also, my bladder wasn't emptying completely causing endless UTI's.
My urologist has now suggested BOTOX for my bladder. It allows the bladder to hold more urine and less accidents for intermittent cath.

Has anyone been for this procedure or heard of it? I'd appreciate any views..

Regards,
Lalla

[Lalla]

Thanks Paul, I really appreciate the info.. my case is almost the same as Ms Kunz, I think I'm going to go for the procedure, I'm sure it will help!

Regards,
Lalla

Paul Breen, on Jan 9 2008, 10:29 AM, said:

I reguarly review medical progress that is occuring relating to spinal injury. Below is a story that I picked up which may be of use. If you would like any further articles, please let me know:

Botox SCI treatment

Eight years ago, Lynette Kunz suffered a severe spinal cord injury that left her a quadriplegic and sufferer of involuntary bladder contractions.
The condition constantly interfered with her daily life.

"I can somewhat detect when my bladder is full, but I have a much shorter time span for getting to the bathroom than someone with a normal bladder," said Ms. Kunz, 42. "I could not sit down for an entire meal at a restaurant because I was in constant fear of suffering an embarrassing incident."

Now, thanks to a procedure performed at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Ms. Kunz has regained control of her bladder by receiving injections of botulinum toxin A, commonly known as Botox.

The treatment, being administered by Dr. Gary Lemack, associate professor of urology, consists of injecting Botox into numerous sites in the bladder. The toxin blocks the release of the chemical that causes the muscles to contract. Although the treated muscles become paralyzed or weakened, other muscles are unaffected and can function normally.

"Damaged nerves may send signals to the bladder at the wrong time, causing its muscles to squeeze without warning," said Dr. Lemack. "The Botox prevents the bladder muscles from having these spasms that lead to urinary frequency and urgency. The treatment will vastly improve bladder function in the majority of patients for a period of six to nine months."

Botox has been used by physicians internationally to treat conditions in the lower urinary tract, but the therapy has not been approved officially in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administration. Over the last five years Dr. Lemack has treated nearly 40 patients with the drug and has taught postgraduate courses on its potential uses.

He is currently conducting a Botox clinical trial, the results of which could impact future FDA determinations concerning the drug's usage for urological conditions. The research at UT Southwestern is being funded by Allergan, which manufactures Botox.

Dr. Lemack said the treatment is promising and offers hope for patients like Ms. Kunz.

"I was not interested in undergoing invasive bladder surgeries to relieve my condition," Ms. Kunz said. "I'm independent to a degree; that's very important to me. I am a mother and extremely active in my community. The treatments have ensured spasms and leakage won't slow me down, and I'm thankful to be receiving these injections from Dr. Lemack. I'd definitely recommend Botox for someone in a situation similar to mine."


Source - Medical Research News

Paul

Lalla, on Jan 9 2008, 07:53 AM, said:

Hi guys and gals,

I'm a C6-C7 quad. I was involved in an accident in 2004. Since the accident I've always struggled with overactive bladder. I initially started with intermittent cath which didn't work well because of constant leaking. My bladder holds about 300ml and then empty's itself.
My urologist then suggested a condom catheter but recently the pressure levels in my bladder and kidney have become to high. Also, my bladder wasn't emptying completely causing endless UTI's.
My urologist has now suggested BOTOX for my bladder. It allows the bladder to hold more urine and less accidents for intermittent cath.

Has anyone been for this procedure or heard of it? I'd appreciate any views..

Regards,
Lalla

[cripple]

i had the same problems and my condom catheter kept coming off cause my bladder was putting too much presure on it. i recently had a supra pubic catheter put in. cause my bladder kept spasming they said that there was tablets that helps calm bladder spasms but it wouldnt work for me, they said i would have to get regular botox injections to stop it. i diddn't want the botox so i asked to try the tablets and see if it would work. i have had no problems since. so i just use them, Lyrinel XL (oxybutynin) is the name of them.

Iain c5/6

[Laura24]

hello there

I have used this procedure in Italy in 2004 and it worked really great for me. I had such a very spastic bladder and the contractions were " very bad a few days after I had changed the sp cath. I really felt sick because of it I guess it had as a consequence ad so after each contraction my lips turn blue and my blood pressure went to very low. So it was great to do that and I later continued with the pills you mentioned and have no problems since. However is four years now and I guess it should be better to do it again even though I don't have major problems with it. But for that I need to go back to Italy.

[Tired of hurting]

[quote][quote name='Lalla' date='Jan 9 2008, 01:53 AM' post='49355']
Hi guys and gals,

I'm a C6-C7 quad. I was involved in an accident in 2004. Since the accident I've always struggled with overactive bladder. I initially started with intermittent cath which didn't work well because of constant leaking. My bladder holds about 300ml and then empty's itself.
My urologist then suggested a condom catheter but recently the pressure levels in my bladder and kidney have become to high. Also, my bladder wasn't emptying completely causing endless UTI's.
My urologist has now suggested BOTOX for my bladder. It allows the bladder to hold more urine and less accidents for intermittent cath.

Has anyone been for this procedure or heard of it? I'd appreciate any views..

Regards,
Lalla
[/quote]


I have heard of Botox for bladder spasm. I'm afraid of the reaction. Considering for back spasms. Insurance hasn't approved it yet. I use Vesicare 10mg am and at night for spasm Kolopin

[megatrig]

Lalla, on Jan 9 2008, 07:53 AM, said:

Hi guys and gals,

I'm a C6-C7 quad. I was involved in an accident in 2004. Since the accident I've always struggled with overactive bladder. I initially started with intermittent cath which didn't work well because of constant leaking. My bladder holds about 300ml and then empty's itself.
My urologist then suggested a condom catheter but recently the pressure levels in my bladder and kidney have become to high. Also, my bladder wasn't emptying completely causing endless UTI's.
My urologist has now suggested BOTOX for my bladder. It allows the bladder to hold more urine and less accidents for intermittent cath.

Has anyone been for this procedure or heard of it? I'd appreciate any views..

Regards,
Lalla

Ok I may not be fully understanding this but!!

BOTOX would relax the bladder and bladder spincter! This allows the bladder to stay EMPTY so avoiding backpressure??!!

I have regular Botox injections to allow my bladder to empty and thus avoid back pressure and UTI'S

Having a very full bladder will not only add to back pressure and possible damage to kidney's but it will also leave you open to the chance of frequent UTI's!!

oxybutynin - is a good drug for the uses you seem to need.

I do think you have got the wrong end of thestick as to what you/your consultant ae trying to achieve!

Or maybe I have misunderstood it!

[FRANK6898]

Hi,
I have had bottox back in Sept 2007, and I am due to go back in on late Feb 2008 to have it redone.

The reason that I got it was to paralise the bladder muscles, as they were going in to spasm and my bladder would only retain about 90ml of urine. After the bottox my bladder does not spasm and my bladder now holds up to 620ml of urine.

I was on lyrinel and it was not doing any good my bladder was going in to spasm and causing leakage, now with the bottox 100% success no spasm and no leakage there for I can do my normal 4 hourly intermittant cathaters.

Bottox has a normal life of around 6 months then it has to be redone.

If this helps good, if you require clarification on any points then post you question and I will try my best to answer.

FRANK. ooh happy days !!!

[xmotoxr]

I had this procedure done just a few months ago with the latest and greatest stuff. Instead of botox they are now using a product called durasphere. I've heard of people that this works for but for some reason it only made things worse in my situation. It was very expensive and only made things worse. Take my story for what it's worth. Just know that it doesn't always work out.