The University of Maryland Women's Center for Continence and Pelvic Health

Patient Success Stories

Urinary Incontinence Patient says Botox Procedure has Improved her Life

By "Jennifer"

My first serious UTI occurred in 1984. A trip to the urologist resulted in a cystoscopy and 12 weeks of antibiotics. My next UTI began while visiting Disneyworld in 1988. A new urologist prescribed antibiotics but I wasn't responding the way he had hoped. He sent me for a MRI. The urologist delivered my official MS diagnosis in January 1989. So my symptoms which felt like a UTI were not really due to UTI, but rather my neurological condition of MS.

I began a trial of various bladder medications intending to slow my bladder down to reduce my symptoms of urinary frequency and urge incontinence. Eventually the same urologist determined I had a spastic bladder. So I tried a different med. The results were usually a dry mouth and some relief from frequent trips to the bathroom or accidental overflows.

I had a visit to the same urologist's office with a new nurse practitioner, Bernadette Greco. She suggested I see Dr. Toby Chai, a urologic surgeon at the University of Maryland Medical Center. She had worked with him and thought he could help me. I was anxious to try something or someone new, so I made that phone call.

When I first met Dr. Chai, the Botox Study was in its infancy. He told me if I wanted to participate, I needed to learn to do self catheterization of my bladder. He sent me to the clinic to work with a nurse to learn this technique. The challenge was accomplished after I went home and taught myself.

I am positive I received Botox the first procedure (at that time, it was a blinded study meaning that I could have received either Botox or a placebo). My bladder was different soon after this. I wasn't desperate to get to the bathroom.

The procedure has affected my life in a very positive way. A bathroom is not the first place I visit when I arrive at a destination. I use the bathroom less often. While I still use pads (just in case), the cost is down significantly.

Dr. Chai and his staff are kind, caring people. I have always felt comfortable in what many would find to be an uncomfortable situation. Anyone with bladder issues would be lucky to have Dr. Chai as their doctor.

This page was last updated on: April 11, 2012.

For more information or to make an appointment, please call 1-866-608-4228.