Refractory OAB - point to a Urologist?

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This is a question for those suffering from Refractory OAB (OAB that has not improved with behavior or medication). If you opted not to do Botox or Intersim, and decided to cope through management using pads/diapers did you continue with seeing a urologist?

I feel as though I am wasting my doctor’s time since I do not wish to pursue Botox or surgical solutions. Is there a point to continued yearly or 6 month appointments? My original 2 urologists seemed to think I should continue to see them during those intervals just to make sure things don’t get worse. I moved out of state from my first urologist and my second urologist left the medical group I see. So has my third, making the one I am seeing now my fourth in ten years.
It’s not that I have given up as much as accepted over 20 years time that this is my normal and have adapted to deal with it.

Were my first urologists correct that it is important to continue seeing a urologist or were they perhaps trying to pad their patient count for insurance reimbursement?

 

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@Tarlton:

I would suggest continuing seeing a Urologist. With continued advancements in medical technology and medicines; you may find new medicines that may or may not work. I was lucky enough to use Myrbetriq which worked for some time; then stopped working - but that medicine per my urologist was quite new in recent years. Also tried Ditropan with little to no improvement. But maybe someday new medicines will come out to calm my bladder spasms that work better than Myrbetriq.

I did the Interstim test and saw improvement in symptoms but due to insurance issues I'm probably going to have to go through another trial/test.

Anyway, my suggestion would be to continue seeing a Urologist - even if it's once or twice a year. You said you've been suffering for 20+ years. That's rough; I'm on year 3 - and it's felt like 30.

Blessings In Christ,
Honeeecombs

 

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My 2 cents - I gave up on urologist at least a year ago - my opinion- they want your money to be a gini pig for so called new break through pills that will make you “normal again” - I tried 3 different scribed pills from the doc - nothing worked - After hundreds of dollars wasted - I realized that a diaper before bed is my best option - if traveling far I will put a guard in my briefs - for now for the most part (had a few during the day different story) I will a pull up during the day if not knowing where bathrooms are (less discreet) and can manage - before bed I diaper up

 

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First, some of, maybe a lot of us, consider the word "OAB" to mean "we don't know".
Next, I'd like to suggest you keep up on this website to see if there are any changes or new answers. The periodic information posts are worth keeping an eye on.
Finally, I feel the same as you. I don't see a Urologist very often (Does 5-7 years qualify as "not very often?) I have an appointment for something else, and will ask if he thinks there are any useful changes, or if there is any point in seeing him for that, right now. Since I wasn't smart enough to ask my health-practicioner Doc, that I have to see for a referral, for both issues, I'd have to go get another referral for the second issue for the Insurance company. The Insurance Industry are the one making the real money, compared to the Docs. THEY dictate how many appointments the Doc has to see each day....

 

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I would certainly continue to see a urologist at least once a year in order to find any new treatments available. I call it my yearly inspection.

 

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If you consider how long it takes to get in to see a doctor of any stripe these days, I'd say it's a safe bet that they aren't pushing you to visit so as to fill their days. Even if a doctor is building a practice, they wouldn't have to resort to this. Another thing to give thought to is that sometimes incontinence is only one of the potential problems a single patient can experience. I strongly suspect that it is sometimes the first tangible symptom of other, more serious problems or diseases. If your urologist is looking to keep you as a patient, there can be any number of reasons for that. I know I would be happy to have the same specialist over the long-term, if only because they would know my history. I've learned that even if I don't like a doctor, (or if he doesn't like me) that isn't always a good reason to leave.

 

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During my last visit to my Urologist this past week (last Wednesday)she advised me that that my urge incontinence could be a result of my spinal injuries, the reoccurring shingles I experience, the growth in my kidney,ect., ect. She said it is OAB with urgency and painful bladder. She surprised me when she started she was unaware of COVID-19 causing an increase in symptoms. She is a physician's assistant. The MD came in also and said I could try botox injections. No thank you, I'll pass on that. I guess I'm fortunate that the spasms aren't an everyday thing because when I do have them they are pure hell. Especially at night. Those nights feel never-ending.
So when the MD left she said unless I needed her in the future I should manage the way I currently do- that being pull-up type protection 24/7. And I'm now ok with that. (Thank you MissSnow) But low and behold, when I looked at my digital chart a few days ago -what do I see? It seems I have a follow up in October of this year! I can't help but think, "I'll call you, don't call me" ya know?

 

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I think it depends a lot on the cause and what you want there. For my part, I go there regularly (every 6 - 12) months. On the one hand, I have the residual urine checked and on the other hand, I also need a prescription for the aids. This can be issued for a maximum of one year (in Germany - my case, the health insurance pays for it).