Tibial Nerve Stimulation for an Overactive Bladder

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Hi all,

I would like to know if anyone has tried Tibial Nerve Stimulation using a personal TENS machine on the inside of the ankle. The idea is to "When the tibial nerve is stimulated, impulses travel to the nerve roots in the spine to block abnormal signals from the bladder and prevent bladder spasms" (taken from https://urogyn.coloradowomenshealth.com/treatments/ptns.html)

I don't to a clinic to have an acupuncture needle inserted into my ankle. At the moment, I am trying it with a personal TENS machine at home. I am not sure if the TENS machine approach is just as effective.

The treatment is supposed to be for 12 weeks.

 

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@Positive Would be very interested in how this goes for you. Good luck with it!

 

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There is a good medical publication on this treatment over 100+ participants. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8341038/

Has anyone done it and can share their results?

 

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I’ve had it done and to be truly honest about it, it depends on the nurse hooking you up to it whether it works or not. They really need to hit that nerve in your leg in the right spot or it just doesn’t work. I see an acupuncturist now who has the stimulator machine and he makes sure he hits that nerve with the needle before he attaches the stimulator machine. This really helps with my bladder pain.

 

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hope uyou do good. I had it done probably five years ago and it did nothing for me. I thought it might be the answer . I sure hope it works for you . good luck

 

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@Positive I had it about 15 years ago when a needle was used. Recall it was helpful for the spasms and aches. More recently, I have used a tens unit and patches, there is plenty of guides on the web to help you figure out how to place the patches. Home use is more convenient than having to go to the doctor each week.

Best of luck!

 

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I completed the twelve weeks of Tibial Nerve Stimulation and I think it has been beneficial. A primary issue for me has been sorting out whether my symptoms (urgency and frequency) are due to an overactive bladder or a urinary tract infection (or both). I am seeing an infection disease specialist now, and his more aggressive use of antibiotics has helped to decrease the reoccurrence or my UTI's.

It seems like the TENS treatment has helped with my overactive bladder, but I need to see if the relief of my symptoms is going to last. My situation goes back to having bladder cancer removed about 3 years ago. After this procedure I had BCG treatment and Mitomycin treatment. I am currently cancer free but my bladder "took some hits" from the treatments and the OAB symptoms started. (Or were they UTI symptoms???)

If it is determined that the TENS treatment has helped my bladder and my urgency and frequency symptoms are decreasing, the plan is that I will have a monthly or 6 week maintenance TENS treatment. At my last cystoscopy (no cancer), my urologist commented that my bladder seems more elastic (and hopefully less likely to spasm). I hope this is a sign that the TENS made a difference. I must admit that as I was going through the weekly treatments I was pretty skeptical that it would help. But stranger things have happened.

 

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I am now getting ready in Sept to try the ///axonics therepy!! it sounds very encouraging. I have switched to a new Dr. who seems ready to help me.

 

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Really appreciate the responses. It's good to read the many experiences.

Looks like the results are mixed. I will give it a go as it has no real harm.

I am planning to do it daily at home, and I wonder if it's too much?

Good wishes to all. Good luck to Colin13 and let us know the result.

 

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Thanks i will let you know . I cant do the procedure till end of september.