There is so much uncertainty and so much you cannot control about living with Multiple Sclerosis. Sure, you can take a disease-modifying therapy in an attempt to slow down the progression of the disease. Or you can exercise, watch your diet and get plenty of sleep to better manage your symptoms.
Maybe all of this will work. Maybe it will make no difference. Who can be certain?
Well, there is one thing I recently have done that I know for certain is making a difference with my MS and its most frustrating symptom for me: urinary incontinence.
I had my second-ever Botox treatment on July 12. These treatments give me increased urinary continence and confidence. And this is just one way I am showing this disease who’s boss.
Yes, the Springsteen reference is intended here. After all, Dan has a milestone birthday coming up, so I’ve got Bruce – who just announced the dates for the U.S. leg of his world tour – on my mind🤞
And the Botox procedure involves a lot more than just the treatment itself. Here is an inside look at everything that went into one of my MS symptom management certainties.
A fundamental first step I had to take more than a week before my scheduled Botox treatment was to get tested for a urinary tract infection. Yes, I had one, but it was detected in plenty of time for my urologist to prescribe an antibiotic that took care of my UTI.An early Saturday morning trip to the health park – strategically timed four days prior to my scheduled treatment – was necessary so I could get tested for Covid.Did I mention I had to get a Covid test? Within two days after the test, I received an email that my test came back negative and was approved to move forward with my Botox treatment.Dan and I had to set the alarm clock for 4:45 a.m. the day of the procedure so we could get ready and be at the health park no later than 6:30 a.m. I loaded into our van, and we pulled out of our driveway at exactly 6:19 a.m. Plenty of time, right?! Hospital gown? Check. Oxygen? Check. Hair net? Check me out all ready for the anesthesiologist to roll me in for my Botox treatment! It only took the nurse one poke into my veins to get my IV started, which essentially never happens. That’s how I knew it was going to be a great day. After Dan woke up with me at 4:45 a.m., took me to the health park, changed me into my hospital garb, and wished me love as I left for the Botox treatment on my bladder, he treated himself to a hazelnut coffee and monster cookie in the health park’s coffee shop. And, of course, he got me my own monster cookie to enjoy after we got home. The coolest part is that we were back to our house in plenty of time for him to get to work by 9 a.m. See? I told you it was going to be a great day!
6 Comments
Thank you for the informative post, I hope this treatment continues to work well for you. I know of a few people who use Botox and self catheterize but this approach is new to me. Is there a risk of retention? How much improvement did you see after your first treatment?
It’s great to connect with you, Jen. In my experience, I have had a few UTIs, which may be because of retention, but since Botox they have not been significantly more frequent. I saw a great improvement after my first treatment. That’s why I was excited to go in for my second treatment 😉
I think this is in my future. I take Trospium and it mostly works, but not all the time. Terrible dry mouth though. I now have a port because my veins are also shot. Truly an exciting life we live.
Thank you for your comment, Stephanie. Trospium is a new medication to me, thanks for the introduction.
I read about it online and think it may be similar to Myrbetriq? That was the drug I used before I started with Botox. Maybe that could be a possibility for you? I never had the dry mouth with that drug. Worth talking about it with your urologist?
And Botox isn’t for everyone but it seems to work for me. if you end up trying this, I hope you have success with it. All the best to you!
—Jennifer
Jen,
Love this post! So glad Botox is working for you (and happy Dan got a monster cookie).
I’ve used Botox to treat spasticity for years to good results. Others use it for migraines. Now, bladders? It truly is a miracle drug.
Plus, your bladder will now look younger & vibrant! 🙂
Best to you!
Thank you for your comment and for reacting to my post, Doug!
So happy to read that you’ve also used and had good results with Botox. Spasticity is a sneaky little pest that really is worming its way into my life. Good to know there is another treatment option. Whatever it takes to tame this MS monster, right?
Speaking of monsters, monster cookies are yummy! Dan and I wish you all the best
Thank you for the informative post, I hope this treatment continues to work well for you. I know of a few people who use Botox and self catheterize but this approach is new to me. Is there a risk of retention? How much improvement did you see after your first treatment?
It’s great to connect with you, Jen. In my experience, I have had a few UTIs, which may be because of retention, but since Botox they have not been significantly more frequent. I saw a great improvement after my first treatment. That’s why I was excited to go in for my second treatment 😉
I think this is in my future. I take Trospium and it mostly works, but not all the time. Terrible dry mouth though. I now have a port because my veins are also shot. Truly an exciting life we live.
Thank you for your comment, Stephanie. Trospium is a new medication to me, thanks for the introduction.
I read about it online and think it may be similar to Myrbetriq? That was the drug I used before I started with Botox. Maybe that could be a possibility for you? I never had the dry mouth with that drug. Worth talking about it with your urologist?
And Botox isn’t for everyone but it seems to work for me. if you end up trying this, I hope you have success with it. All the best to you!
—Jennifer
Jen,
Love this post! So glad Botox is working for you (and happy Dan got a monster cookie).
I’ve used Botox to treat spasticity for years to good results. Others use it for migraines. Now, bladders? It truly is a miracle drug.
Plus, your bladder will now look younger & vibrant! 🙂
Best to you!
Thank you for your comment and for reacting to my post, Doug!
So happy to read that you’ve also used and had good results with Botox. Spasticity is a sneaky little pest that really is worming its way into my life. Good to know there is another treatment option. Whatever it takes to tame this MS monster, right?
Speaking of monsters, monster cookies are yummy! Dan and I wish you all the best
Jennifer