OnabotulinumtoxinA for Urinary Frequency User Reviews (Page 3)

• Ker...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 12, 2016

"I had Botox in my bladder 10 days ago, and it has only made my bladder worse. Instead of going to the toilet every 20 minutes, I'm now going every 5! I'm not sleeping and have had a really bad urine infection! I was back in the hospital on Sunday! I would not recommend anyone getting this done. I have suffered with bladder problems for 17 years and am getting really down about it all now! I have no idea what to do now."

• Mis...
• September 17, 2015

"Worst decision I ever made. I am far worse now with frequency, always feeling like I need to urinate, UTIs, and pain. Can't sleep at night with going to the bathroom 8 or more times, and lack of sleep triggered my depression."

• Lov...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 16, 2016

"I'm on my 3rd dose of Botox. I have bladder incontinence. My bladder was in a constant spasm. It was hard to leave the house. After trying pills, after trying Depends, after having a few accidents, I agreed to the Botox injections. I found the procedure uncomfortable, but maybe for 5 minutes. It took most of the first year to get used to using a cath as a norm. You can get reusable ones or pre-lubricated ones. I now use the latter, but they are more expensive. The first round lasted 1 year, the second round lasted 6 months, and now I'm on my third round. More Botox was used in the first and third rounds. I love it. No more leaks, no more accidents. I can sleep all night, take long walks, and go on long car rides."

• Tir...
• November 1, 2016

"My husband had prostate surgery (TURP) for an enlarged prostate in January (11 months ago). Ever since, he has had annoying leakage. The doctor mentioned two options - Botox or an implanted device. He said Botox had a '99% success rate,' so my husband opted for that. Ever since, a nightmare. At first, he simply could not pee at all. He had an indwelling catheter for a while, and since has had to do self-catheterization four times a day (still cannot pee a drop). The Botox must have relaxed the bladder too much? Plus, there was a LOT of old blood in his bladder, presumably from the Botox injections. The doctor said it was not possible to be from the catheters. And he has a UTI. The slight leakage seems like NOTHING next to this nightmare."

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 12, 2018

"I had a Botox injection into my bladder on June 21st, and last year for four days I was fine, and it felt funny not having pee running down my legs. Then, a couple of days later, I broke out really bad with a rash all over my body, and I was very sick, and I went into the emergency room at two different hospitals. I had a hard time breathing, was sick to my stomach, and I could no longer urinate and had to use catheters for two weeks, and I had to be put on one and a half worth of steroid pills and injections. I almost died from not having anyone explain to me more about the dangers. I am not still feeling like I was before the Botox. I had one injection that almost killed me. You will not submit because you don't want other patients to know the truth about what happened to me. But I will make sure that the media will know and inform the public as to what Botox can and will do to some women like me."

• Cla...
• July 9, 2016

"I'm shocked to hear how disappointed everyone is with Botox, and I'm sad too. I completely understand the frustration, embarrassment, and all-around annoyance of peeing yourself. I started having Botox when I was 33 (I have MS). I had to start catheterizing after my 2nd lot of Botox. This was the end of the world to me, 33 and having to use a catheter. Now, I think Botox is a huge benefit to my life, and using a catheter is the norm. Obviously, everyone has different experiences, but I love it x."

• San...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2019

"I had Botox for my overactive bladder, and I must say it is a miracle. 100% effective. Zero side effects. After almost 20 years of worsening incontinence, one treatment restored me to normal control, like when I was a teenager. The procedure is a little painful, but totally worth it. I’m 71 years old. Medicare covered it. I tried acupuncture in the ankle prior to this as a treatment, it was 100% ineffective."

• Ric...
• January 4, 2017

"I had Botox injections into my bladder about 3 weeks ago, but it has made no difference to my OAB so far. The procedure itself is quite uncomfortable, and I actually felt my symptoms were worse the week after I had it done. I know it takes two weeks to take effect, so I was really hoping to see a difference, as the constant need to go to the toilet is so stressful. But unfortunately, 3 weeks in, and I don't see much, if any, difference. I do seem to be able to go longer through the night, but daytime is no better. I've had no other side effects, so I don't regret trying, just wish it would work!"

• Ins...
• August 26, 2018

"Worse decision ever. Prior to receiving Botox, I used to go to the restroom 5-6 times during the day and night. Now I go approximately 8 times during the day and 11 at night. I have not been able to sleep at all. Most of the time is just the urge to go but not able to empty my bladder. My life has become a living hell! Please, please do not have this procedure."

• Mia...
• May 22, 2019

"I had Botox for overactive bladder December 13, 2018. Within a week, I couldn’t urinate at all and had to start self-cath. 6 months later, I’m still having to cath and have had 6 bladder infections that are becoming resistant to most antibiotics. I’ve even had to have a PICC line for IV antibiotics. This has changed my life and not in a good way. I see no end in sight for the self-caths and am scared this could continue forever."

• Dre...
• August 7, 2016

"I've had Interstitial Cystitis (IC) for about 6 years or so. Some pain while peeing and bladder pain. Last February 2015, the urologist inserted the Botox into my bladder. My life for the past year and a half has been miserable, to say the least. Never had problems before with incontinence, but boy do I have it now. For the past year and a half, I've had to wear Depends during the day, and at night I have to wear an external catheter and drain bag. My desire to do anything is not there anymore where before I was always pretty active. My urologist doesn't understand why I'm having this outcome. He has other patients that do the Botox for the IC and had good results. Never again. Don't know if this stuff will ever wear off."

• Che...
• December 23, 2015

"Had the Botox for overactive bladder on November 21, 2015. Two days ago, had the follow-up. Everything went well at the operation, I could void before going home, little bleeding which soon stopped. Having some trouble emptying, showing over 200 after voiding. I'm going to work on voiding completely. I do not wake up the 6 to 8 times at night now to use the restroom, I may wake once now. When going anywhere, now I'm not tied to the need to use the restroom every half hour like before. My urgency and frequency are more like normal now. Taking this time to work real hard on Kegel's, see in six months if that helps at all. By the way, I have secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. I would highly recommend this procedure."

• Cat...
• May 3, 2019

"I shared my experience earlier. I had Botox in November 2018, and 6 months later, I am still having to self-cath. I go to the bathroom more now than I did before, it has been horrible. I didn't think I would have to live on the toilet, but I am. The Botox has really affected my life and job negatively. I have exhausted all other options and am wondering if I am going to have to live like this for the rest of my life. This has been such a horrible experience."

• Ben...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2019

"Had procedure in August 2018 and have suffered with constant infections ever since. Wish I could turn the clock back, as I would not have had this done - BIG mistake. I don’t think the risks are explained enough, and they most certainly should be, as a lot of people suffer negative effects from this treatment. Think very carefully and ask LOTS of questions before making a decision."

• Suz...
• June 19, 2017

"I had 200 units of BOTOX injected into my bladder 4/52. Worse decision ever! I struggled to pee on the first night and requested an indwelling catheter to be able to rest. On discharge, I could void a little, but not too well. By the following week, the retention was so uncomfy I went to the GP who sent me for a scan. I was retaining 380 ml. Drained bladder and showed me how to self-cath. I wasn't very successful. Had a day with Gyny and nurses the following week, and they ended up putting in an indwelling cath. Been weeks now. Had it out for 2 hours and retained 680 ml, I couldn't void. Awful, awful feeling of being so full. Huge regrets I took this route, 4.5 years post a TVT for stress + urge incontinence that didn't help."

• Ala...
• December 28, 2018

"I had Botox a year and a half ago for OAB, and it has never worn off. I’m in constant agony. I have to self-catheterize nearly every hour or two, sometimes more. There are times I’m cathetering every 20 minutes if I’ve had a drink. Whatever goes into my bladder has to come out right away, or I am in agony. It’s ruined my life, wish I had never gotten it done!!"

• sno...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 12, 2019

"We were going on a 90-day trip, and I was used to doing PTNS (Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation) every month. I decided to try the Botox so I would not have a problem on my trip. Actually, if I had read some of the horror stories on this blog, then I probably would have opted out. I am glad that I had it done. The procedure was painful. Then the twinges afterwards were like mild labor contractions for about 12 hours. Tylenol helped a lot. I told my husband that I would never have it done again. After the initial twinges and a few days, it worked, and it has been amazing for 6 1/2 months, and it is still working. I feel free from rushing to the bathroom. I am now just wondering when it will wear off. I will definitely be doing it again and just taking Tylenol that first day. Just know that it hurts, then it cramps for a while, but to me it is so worth it. I am hoping I can go without another treatment for 8 or 9 months."

• Cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 23, 2018

"I had the Botox on 11/30, and on 12/10, I had to go to the doctor because my bladder felt so full, and I could not urinate enough. They gave me catheters to cath myself, which was hard for me to do, I always got at least 500 mL. I got 650 mL back, called the doctor, and was told to go to the ER and get a Foley catheter. I went back to the doctor on 12/19 and had the Foley removed. The next morning, I had to cath myself again, I could only urinate a little. I went back to the doctor, after urinating, they had a 650 mL urine return, and they put another Foley catheter in. I am in so much pain today I could just cry. I have had 2 UTIs since the procedure and am just miserable."

• Pam...
• September 8, 2019

"I am so very lucky. I have had Botox injected into my bladder 5 times, approximately every 6-9 months. I have it under general anesthesia and recover well. This procedure works so well for me that when I feel it is starting to wear off, I contact my consultant. It has transformed my life. Previously, when I had urge incontinence, I was reluctant to join any social activities. With the Botox injections, I actually feel normal. My rescue bag has a place of honor in my bedroom cupboard rather than my handbag. As I said, I am so lucky that Botox works for me!"

• Tis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2015

"I was terrified to do it but couldn't stand running to the bathroom twice per hour anymore. My injections were worst case scenario as I owed out the lidocaine. Out of 20 injections, I didn't feel 10 at all. The other 10 hurt, but it was fast, and 48 hours later, my life had changed. I highly recommend this, but do research on your urologist. How many does he/she do? What's the rate of needing a straight cath post-procedure? What's his/her failure rate? Find someone good and then do it if nothing else worked. Life changing!"

• Dan...
• May 6, 2021

"I had Botox 8 months ago. All I was told was how good it would be to help my overactive bladder. Two days after the procedure, I couldn’t pee at all. For 3 months, I wore a bag on my leg. Then I ended up real sick and got sepsis and almost lost my life. I was on 3 different antibiotics while in the hospital. Then, after 7 days in the hospital, I still had to come home on 2 weeks more of Levaquin, which is dangerous in itself. I still had to come home and self-cath, which I am still doing in an 8-month time frame, and have had 3 more kidney infections since coming home from the hospital. Now my kidneys have scarring on them, and I still cannot use the bathroom on my own or empty my bladder! Everyone has their own experience, and mine hasn’t been good! I would read all reviews and do your research before having this procedure done!"

• Lit...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 17, 2017

"I had 200 mg (a large dose) of Botox injected into my bladder in August 2017. I got an infection within days of having the procedure. I went straight into retention. It has now been about 12 weeks since the procedure. I am still having to use a catheter and I am never free from infection. I have spent nearly three weeks in the hospital due to complications with a UTI, resulting in kidney damage. I am on a very rare antibiotic that my own GP and local chemist had not heard of. I truly hope that this antibiotic does the trick, as I don't think that I am going to be able to cope with the outcome of the Botox injections for much longer. I wasn't given an antibiotic after the procedure, the outcome may have been different if I had."

• Lou...
• September 25, 2017

"I've had bladder problems since the age of 13, got worse around 15 but could still go out even though I was using the toilet every couple of hours. Then at 18, I stopped leaving the house as it got so bad. I'm now 23. I had Botox in June and I can't wait for it to wear off. So ill all the time, feels as if I constantly need the toilet more than ever, pains in my bladder and sides, had to use a cath but can pee a little tiny bit. Was at the doctor's on Thursday and he said I've got a bad infection that I've had for a while as there's blood in it. This Friday I go back to the hospital where I had Botox done for a check. I'm at my wit's end, have no clue what to do anymore and I feel like I'm never going to get better."

• Gre...
• January 13, 2016

"After several years of suffering from an overactive bladder, using drugs that dry your mouth horribly, regularly getting soaked through, I tried Botox injections last June. Uncomfortable procedure, but bearable. A week later, I couldn't void at all, so I started with catheters 5 times a day. Not ideal but quite okay, so much better than before. Quality of life has improved so much. Over 6 months on, I can void 200-300 ml naturally most times, but I still need 5 catheters a day for the rest. I will try it again. Much better than other treatments."

• Roc...
• July 8, 2016

"Reading the testimonies here, I'm one of the luckier ones. I did not have to have a catheter, but I had to strain to void like I have never strained before. I was worried that I was going to do damage to the bladder muscle. I had a constant feeling of needing to urinate. Rarely felt like the bladder was empty. On top of this, my hands and feet would swell every day when I have no problems with water retention. The doctor said I shouldn't ever have Botox again as it's likely an anaphylactic reaction. I had the procedure two weeks ago and am still miserable. Still not as long as others have gone through, but I was much happier to take the medication. A naturalist recommended a dot of estrogen cream on the urethra will draw it up to stop leaks."