Botox is a neurotoxic protein produced by bacteria called Clostridium Botulinum. In large doses, this bacteria induces botulism, a severe illness that causes paralysis and is usually transmitted through food poisoning.
So, why would anyone want to inject this bacteria directly into their bodies you ask? Well, in small, diluted doses, Botox has been used to improve or prevent the appearance of wrinkles, brow furrows, creases and frown lines. Interestingly enough, Botox is also used to treat medical conditions such as uncontrolled blinking, dystonia (uncontrollable body movements), excessive sweating, migraines and enlarged prostates.
And, why am I bringing up this topic on an MS blog? I recently heard that the FDA has approved Botox for use in overactive bladder in MS patients. Botox has been found to relax the bladder while allowing it to store more urine overall and thus, reduce leakage. It is helpful in improving or relieving urinary frequency, urgency and incontinence.
This is great news for a lot of us who suffer with bladder issues due to MS or other conditions. To be approved to receive this treatment, you must have already tried to treat your bladder dysfunction with medication or behavioral treatment (bladder training) without success.
To perform this procedure, a local anesthetic will be given in a day-surgery setting. Botox is then injected directly into the bladder muscles between 20-30 times in different locations. Relief of symptoms normally lasts between 6-10 months.
There are some side effects to consider, like problems emptying your bladder. In about 4% of patients, the paralyzing effect of the Botox is too great and a catheter will be needed to empty the bladder for approximately 6 weeks until the effect lessens. Other patients have reported dizziness, headache and fever but, these things are all kind of par-for-the-course with MS so, how would you be able to tell the difference I say?!
The good news is that there is another option out there for treating one of the most annoying MS symptoms.
The bad news is that your nearby organs may get jealous when they see how young your bladder looks...
This is great news for a lot of us who suffer with bladder issues due to MS or other conditions. To be approved to receive this treatment, you must have already tried to treat your bladder dysfunction with medication or behavioral treatment (bladder training) without success.To perform this procedure, a local anesthetic will be given in a day-surgery setting. Botox is then injected directly into the bladder muscles between 20-30 times in different locations. Relief of symptoms normally lasts between 6-10 months.
There are some side effects to consider, like problems emptying your bladder. In about 4% of patients, the paralyzing effect of the Botox is too great and a catheter will be needed to empty the bladder for approximately 6 weeks until the effect lessens. Other patients have reported dizziness, headache and fever but, these things are all kind of par-for-the-course with MS so, how would you be able to tell the difference I say?!
The good news is that there is another option out there for treating one of the most annoying MS symptoms.
The bad news is that your nearby organs may get jealous when they see how young your bladder looks...
1 comment:
Thank you for giving these good, healthy, explanatory and even fun tips on that topic.
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