One of the problems caused by the Transverse Myelitis attack in September 2010 is that my bladder no longer functions properly.
A urologist from UCLA told me last year that I would need to have a bladder augmentation done. This procedure is major surgery in which a part of the intestine is removed and used to increase the size of the bladder. It requires a two week hospital stay and many post surgery adjustments.
At that time, I chose to continue to believe in God for full restoration of my entire body and declined to have the procedure done.
Several weeks ago, a Loma Linda University urologist told me that it was probably time to consider having the augmentation done. I was mildly devastated and wondering why my bladder wasn’t cooperating.
I had a good cry over it and prayed to God and reminded him that I wanted to receive his promise to me of full restoration. So I prayed and waited for his wisdom to direct my path. I did not think about it any further and decided to take my head out of the sand and just go see what the surgeon would say.
I went for several tests that would give the surgeon an analysis of the current functionality of my bladder. After the final test today, the surgeon told me that he does not recommend surgery at this time and that we have other options to explore before we get to that point.
I just had to say thank you God for using that surgeon today to remind me who is in control. God reinforced to me, thru that surgeon, that I didn’t need the surgery, he told me to wait and explore other options.
So I choose to “WAIT ON THE LORD”.
For Neurogenic Bladder you can get Botox injections into the bladder that will last up to one year. You will have to cath after the injections, but it is an alternative to the surgery and saves your kidneys. The Botox will stop the spasms.
Sounds like a much less invasive alternative. I will certainly research this with my urologist. Thanks for the info.
To give you an update about three weeks ago I had a bladder pacemaker put in. It has resolved issues with neurogenic bladder.
It stops leakage, instead of going to the bathroom every hour it is more like every 6 hours now. Also, I can go and not wait and wait and wait. The bladder empties on the first try, sometimes second.
It is the Medtronic InterStim Bladder Pacemaker. The Urologist and Company Rep were hesitate to do the procedure because my issue was due to TM and the neurological issues that go with it.
It will not work for everyone, but there is a test procedure first and it works they will implant. The test procedure is they make to holes in your back and install two wires the size of fishing string and it sends electricity to your sacral nerve. If it did not work, they put in larger wires. If that works they implant. If it does not work you are not eligible for the implant.
Hello Tim, I am in awe of this. Is this something new and/or experimental. My urologist has never mentioned such a procedure. I am definitely going to ask him about this on my next visit. It sounds as if this has worked famously for you. Are there any negatives that you can speak of?
Hi Letitia,
I have had no side effects from the Medtronics InterStim Bladder Pacemaker.
Here is the information on the companies website and to the right you can put in your zip code and find a urologist that does the surgery in your area.
http://www.medtronic.com/patients/overactive-bladder/about-therapy/what-is-it/index.htm
Thanks,
Tim
Thanks Tim, I will certainly speak to my urologist about this on my next visit.