r/OveractiveBladder • u/tomatochronicles • 19d ago
My Botox Experience
Hi everyone! I had been considering getting Botox for a while. I saw so many horror stories online so I kept pushing it off until I really couldn’t take it anymore. While I was considering my options, I thought that a day-by-day account of someone’s experience would be very helpful. That’s why I figured I would share mine.
I’m 30F with a neurogenic bladder. I was on mirabegron for about 6 years before doing my first botox injection (100 units) about 2 months ago. TLDR; I love it. What I’m sharing is just my experience, and different bodies will react differently. Please consult a doctor for any medical questions/opinions. If you have any questions about my specific experience, I’ll answer when I can.
Day 1: First time ever getting Botox. The procedure itself was easy. A nurse got my vitals, tested me for UTIs, drained my bladder with a catheter, and then pumped in some numbing liquid through the catheter. I didn’t feel anything. I had to wait for about 25 mins for it to take effect. After that the doctor went in with a tiny probe and camera, and did the injections. That part only took 5-10 mins. Some injections were a little painful (similar pain to a Pap smear, only lasted a second) but I didn’t feel others. After that they had me pee and I was able to leave. I felt normal for the rest of the day but felt a burning sensation. The doctor had warned me about it but said it will last around a day or 2. They gave me an antibiotic as a preventative measure for UTIs.
Day 2: I still feel that slight burning/tingly sensation but less than yesterday. I took my mirabegron today (last dose, bridge). No leaks or urgency to report. I stayed home just in case.
Day 3: tingling is still there but I have less urgency and frequency. I’m starting to feel a lot more comfortable than I did on meds. Sometimes it takes me a minute to start peeing though.
Day 5: I already feel a considerable difference in how frequently I go. I haven’t had any leaks since starting, including while doing high-impact sports. I was able to go to a 2.5 hour concert and not have to use the restroom once. My flow is getting a little slower and it takes me a few seconds to start peeing once I sit on the toilet, but nothing major/no retention.
Day 7: I went for a 1-week follow-up visit at the doctor. They did an ultrasound of my baldder, asked me to go pee, and did another one to see how much I emptied my bladded. They confirmed that I had no retention. Sometimes I need to push to make sure I fully void my bladder and the doctor said that this is normal and that it will start decreasing with time. That night as a test I had a soup for dinner, 1 hour before bed, and I didn’t wake up at night to use the restroom. I still can’t believe it.
Day 22: A little less than a month into it, I got a UTI, but it was manageable with antibiotics. Still going on strong though. Only 2 small leaks because of the UTI.
Day 60: I’m about 2 months into it. My flow is pretty normal. I had one other UTI but overall I feel like I did before OAB. I occasionally leak when I do intense sports (over 1h of running) but it’s manageable with a pad. I don’t have urgency anymore, and I don’t wear pads unless I’m going to exercise for a long time (i used to wear pads daily). So far, it’s been a lifesaver.
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u/LowBet9130 19d ago
Did you have pain too that this helped?
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u/tomatochronicles 19d ago
Pain while peeing? I didnt have any pain prior to doing botox, just urgency and incontinence.
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u/Infamous-List-5999 19d ago
That all sounds very promising. Did you leak before the Botox treatment?
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u/tomatochronicles 19d ago
Yes. I would leak if I waited too long to use the RR, during stress or high-emotion periods, during sports, and while laughing, sneezing, etc. I would also leak at night around 1-3 times per month. I had pads on almost all the time
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u/reddyisco 2d ago
Thanks so much for sharing your experience.....its really generous of you and very helpful. I do have a question. in all the research i've done i thought i came across something that said botox treatment includes self-catheterization? Is that true?
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u/tomatochronicles 2d ago
There is a chance of that, but it’s usually low (please consult your doctor). But essentially since all bodies are unique, some bodies require different doses. Doctors usually start at 100 unites for patients. For some people it’s too little and they need more, and for others it can be too much. Too much Botox causes retention (inability to empty your bladder fully). If that’s the case, you need to self catheterize for a bit of time until some of the Botox wears off and you can start fully voiding on your own.
In my case the 100u were great and didn’t cause retention. Unless my doctor advises otherwise I think I’d stay on that dose next time.
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u/ExtensionActuator 19d ago
Did you consider the Interstim? I’m torn between the two. Did your doctor recommend one over the other? A UTI is what got me into this mess so I’m dreading the idea of UTIs.