Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Brings Bladder Botox to Patients Suffering from Incontinence or Pelvic Muscle Pain; Photo Available

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. -- The Illinois Urogynecology, LTD have been instrumental in offering relief to patients suffering from incontinence and pelvic muscle pain using Botox. Denise M. Elser, M.D., along with William Kobak, M.D. and Margaret Roberts, M.D., offer a rare process that can alleviate a life-altering problem.

The first Botox method involving the bladder muscle alleviates frequent need to urinate by relaxing the muscles of the bladder. First a cystoscope, thinner than the average pencil, is injected for a closer look at the bladder muscle. Next, a very small needle, the size of a thick strand of hair is used to inject the bladder muscle with Botox. Patients are back to normal activities the next day and results last for 8-18 months, at which point they can be re-injected for further relief. “When people do their faces with Botox, the results usually last 2-3 months, but with bladder Botox, the results are lasting 8-18 months,” relays Denise Elser, M.D.

One such patient who went through the process claims that she wants everyone to know about this procedure because she is sure there are others who are experiencing the disruptive lifestyle incontinence or frequent urination can create. Sally Ryan went through Bladder Botox injections and her results lasted a relieving seven months. Sally shares that doctors have explained that the results may last even longer next time. She was just re-injected in June. “You want to wear your bathing suit and wear white pants, but I couldn’t do those things for fear of leakage. I tried several different medicines and doctors,” explains Sally Ryan.

The second method of Botox injection is to the pelvic muscles, for problems such as pain during intercourse, pain with urination, or urinary retention. This too is a simple procedure and can result in permanent good outcome.

“We have had no failures with Botox,” boasts Denise M. Elser, M.D.

Dr. Elser explains that about 94 percent of their patients are referred to physical therapy with positive results, but that some patients are interested in quicker results and there are a percentage of patients who do not see progress from physical therapy. “The biggest problem is getting insurance to pay for the drug. We have gotten case by case approval and are working hard for policy change in the insurance companies, so that they realize this is not cosmetic,” cites Denise M. Elser, M.D.

An Incontinence Clinic, currently under construction at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove where Dr. Elser is a practicing physician, is expected to open later this year to treat this and a number of other women’s health issues. Dr. Elser and her group are also affiliated with Advocate Christ Medical Center.

Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital operates the only Level 1 Trauma Center in DuPage County. The 342-bed facility also operates a nationally recognized Level III Perinatal Center and is noted for its cardiac and cancer care, women and children’s services and surgical services. It is a member of Advocate Health Care, based out of Oak Brook, Illinois - the largest fully integrated health care delivery system in metropolitan Chicago. Advocate is recognized as one of the top 10 health systems in the country, treating more than a million Chicago-area residents each year.

PHOTO EDITORS:

A high-resolution, publication-ready photograph supporting this story is available for free editorial use at: http://www.wirepix.com/cgi-bin/newsphotos/download.cgi?image=USN072205aa.jpg.

The photo is of Denise M. Elser, M.D. Dr. Elser, the Illinois Urogynecology, LTD group and Sally Ryan are available for interview upon request.

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Katie Maniatis

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Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital

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