New use for Botox gave me my life back

In 2005, Dorothy, 67, from Barton-upon-Humber suffered from a vaginal prolapse in 2005 which resulted in her undergoing colposuspension surgery to lift the wall of her vagina and support her bladder.

However, the surgery triggered urge urinary incontinence, with Dorothy experiencing uncontrollable urges to rush to the toilet.

"I was unable to leave

the house for fear of leaking. I couldn't walk my dog or

look after my youngest grandchild without being heavily padded. I couldn't even imagine going on holiday, it was simply out of the question," explains Dorothy.

Dorothy was referred to Jagdish Gandhi's clinic at Spire Hull & East Riding Hospital in 2007.

After trying several different medications, she was informed of Botox as an alternative treatment.

In May 2008, Dorothy had 20 separate injections of Botox into the bladder wall by way of a thin-lit telescope (cytoscope).

Within days of her treatment, Dorothy was amazed by the results and even booked her first holiday in years.

It was while on holiday that she met her new partner.

"I have now had three rounds of injections and I have regained my confidence and my life is now moving at an incredible pace. I have found love again and I have been on two holidays already this year, with another booked.

"I love the freedom of being able to take long walks without having to plan the route around toilet stops."

Dorothy chose to pay privately for treatment at a cost of 1,800 as she didn't want to wait for treatment

on the NHS.

However, she received PCT approval within a couple of months of her application being sent and she subsequently had the next session of Botox treatment on the NHS.

Mr Gandhi, consultant gynaecologist at Spire Hull & East Riding Hospital said: "I regularly see a number of women with urinary urgency, frequency and getting up several times at night to

pass urine. Many of them also suffer from urge urinary incontinence.

"The initial management includes lifestyle changes; mainly reducing caffeine intake, stopping smoking, weight reduction and fluid management.

"Medications can also calm down the bladder overactivity.

"However, in a small number of cases, where routine management and medications are unsuccessful, Botox injection into the bladder wall could be a helpful form of management."

Botox is now used to treat weak or over-active bladder conditions.

It generally consists of 20-30 injections of 200-300 units of Botox into the bladder wall.

It relaxes the muscles of the bladder, stopping them from contracting.

Treatment is tailored to

the individual depending

on the extent of the condition and can range from take just three

rounds of treatment to many more.

It isn't a "quick-fix", like it is considered to be in the cosmetic world, but results can last from between

nine and 12 months.

It is only suited to those

that have tried other medications for at least

12-18 months without success.

The NHS therefore recommend it as an Exceptional Treatment

and it is generally up to

the PCTs and individual insurers whether they cover the total cost.

n www.spirehealthcare. com