Before I dive into my experience withbladder Botox, let me explain how I got here.
For as long as I can remember I have always,always, had to pee.
Over the past year, however, the frequency was getting out of hand, even for me.
Getty Images / Bella Geraci
It wasnt a cute little annoyance anymore.
It was becoming embarrassing and extremely inconvenient.
Theres no such thing as a bladder thats just small, she explains.
Getty Images / Bella Geraci
Most bladders, she says, are more or less the same size.
Its about what is a functional capacity and how much it’s possible for you to tolerate.
The average person can hold about 300-500 cubic centimeters (ccs) of liquid.
The diagnosis:overactive bladder(OAB).
Meet the experts
How can Botox help treat an overactive bladder?
Dr. Kavaler laid out my options.
There are several medications that specifically address OAB.
If none were effective, we could try Botox.
I perked up with curiosity at that.
When used on the bladder, Botox provides a similar effect.
An overactive bladder is over-responsive and oversensitive, so it spasms, says Dr. Kavaler.
you might hold more, the urgency becomes less urgent, but youre still able to empty your bladder.
The results, she says, can last up to six months.
I tried three of the OAB medications first.
It was time, we decided, to move on to Botox.
Prior to that, doctors had been using it in an off-label capacity.
Durkin receives it to treat frequency issues related to her multiple sclerosis (MS).
Its changed my life, says Durkin.
I used to get up several times during the night, maybe eight times over seven or eight hours.
What kind of sleep do you end up getting?
The night after I had Botox for the first time, I slept through the night.
How does bladder Botox differ from cosmetic Botox?
Both bladder Botox and cosmetic Botox employ the same medication by Allergan.
When injected into the face, results typically last about three to four months.
Thats why Botox tends to fade faster there.
The amounts needed differ as well.
Bladder Botox typically uses 100-200 units, according toUCLA Health.
The standard dose for the face is about 20-40 units per area.
Because bladder Botox treats a medical condition, it’s eligible for insurance coverage.
In my case, my doctors office helped me obtain precertification from my insurance to cover the cost.
Without coverage, it would have cost me $1,400 for a single treatment.
What is it like to get bladder Botox?
It sounds super un-fun, I know, but in reality the insertion only felt like a brief pinch.
After a 30-minute wait for the numbing to kick in, I was ready to go.
I made a jokey request for laughing gas, laid back, and gave her the OK to proceed.
The injections went quickly over the course of a few minutes.
When it was done I sat up and asked to see the needle.
Im usually needle-averse and venture to avoid looking, but in this case I wanted to take a peek.
It was smaller and shorter than I expected.
I would probably start seeing the effects, I was told, anywhere from five days to two weeks.
What if bladder Botox doesnt work?
There are two types of modulator batteries, Dr. Nakib continues, chargeable and rechargeable.
Everyone has individual comfort levels when it comes to choosing treatments.
If the Botox isnt effective, Im not sure Id be down with a surgical implant.
Others, of course, may feel differently.
How bladder Botox worked for me
First, the drawbacks.
Also, as mentioned, even with local anesthesia, the experience wasnt totally pain-free.
And while I didnt experience any light bleeding, I was a little sore for about a day.
Now for the good news.
train ride without having to pee once, which blew my mind.
And when I do go, it feels noticeably more complete.
This might sound silly, but those are wins to me.
Was bladder Botox ultimately worth it?
Ill keep you posted.
Fingers crossed I wont be doing it from the bathroom.
Read more about Botox:
Watch a dermatologist’s entire routine:
Don’t forget to follow Allure onInstagramandTwitter.
