Follow
Share

In years past, she would have Botox injections in her bladder for urinary urgency. Her PC doctor just referred her to a urologist and they want to schedule her for the Botox injection which would need to be done under local anesthesia because of her dementia. My question is would she see any benefit at this stage of her Alzheimer’s? I asked this question to the urologist and she said the only way to know if it would help her is to do the procedure.

Find Care & Housing
Your mom had Botox in prior years for urinary urgency issues, not incontinence. Plus, Botox is not going to address fecal incontinence anyway, so what's the point? The vast majority of dementia sufferers are incontinent no matter what meds are taken, and once the later stages of disease set in, it's inevitable. I'd leave her alone if this were my mom.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to lealonnie1
Report

Is Mom asking to go to the bathroom all the time ?

Let her be if she isn’t complaining about frequency or urgency.
She is already incontinent , that most likely won’t change.

If it were my mother I wouldn’t bother at all , I doubt at this late stage it would do anything .
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to waytomisery
Report

well, she now has the double incontinence. Assuming she is ok with wearing depends and getting regular changes, it might be best to leave it be with that. I would assume there are possible downsides to the botox and also the anesthesia. Risks of procedures and anesthesia do increase overall with age. I have no idea about your exact question about benefits, except to say that if she is ok with regular depends use and changes, thats a good thing! Be glad she is allowing the wearing of Depends! Some refuse them!
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to strugglinson
Report

My late husband when his urinary incontinence was off the charts was given Botox into his bladder by his urologist in his office to try and help calm his bladder down so he wasn't peeing so often.
He did NOT have to go under any "local anesthesia" when he had that done. Plus it didn't help him at all.
I highly doubt that anything will help any more with your mom having Alzheimer's as incontinence seems to come with any of the dementias.
I wouldn't continue to put her through these stressful situations/treatments any more, but instead just let her be as comfortable as possible and just make sure she's being changed on a regular basis.
Most doctors anymore only care about their financial gain and not what is best for their patients. Sad but true.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to funkygrandma59
Report

Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter