Posted on Mar 11, 2015 2:00:00 PM by Leslie Wooldridge, GNP-BC, CUNP, BCIA-PMD

Lifestyle Choices for Patients With OAB

PTNS Can Improve Patients' Lifestyles

Today I treated three patients with Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS).Woman stretching on a yoga mat

Each one of them walked into the clinic with a LARGE cup of caffeinated coffee. Whenever a patient is open about the bladder irritants they ingest, I inquire as to how they balance their bladder symptoms versus enjoying life’s simplest pleasure. The responses today were almost unanimous.  

“This is the only treatment I have had that I can still enjoy this one indulgence and not pay for it!” This is nothing new.  All three of my patients today were return clients. PTNS has not been covered by Medicare in my region for the past three years. So, consequently, these patients have experienced life on medications, with PTNS, on medications and now again on PTNS. Each patient reminisces about a life free of medication side effects, minimal urgency and normalcy when the urge to void occurs with warning times that mimic those with normal bladders. They are once again enjoying the positive response of their bladders to the treatment. So, why do they push the limits? Because they can... 

Urgent PC for OAB

This blog post reflects the opinions and experience of Leslie Wooldridge, a long-standing user of the Urgent PC Neuromodulation System, and was produced under a paid consulting agreement with Cogentix Medical.

Urgent PC is indicated for the treatment of Overactive Bladder and associated symptoms of urinary urgency, urinary frequency and urge incontinence. Treatment with Urgent PC is contraindicated for patients with pacemakers or implantable defibrillators, patients prone to excessive bleeding, patients with nerve damage that could impact either percutaneous tibial nerve or pelvic floor function or patients who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the duration of the treatment. Most patients don't experience side-effects. If side-effects occur, they are typically temporary and include mild pain and skin inflammation at or near the stimulation site. Caution: Federal law (USA) restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician. For complete instructions for use, storage, warnings, indications, contraindications, precautions, adverse reactions and disclaimer of warranties, please refer to the insert accompanying each product or online at www.cogentixmedical.com. Models are for illustrative purposes only. Urgent is a registered trademark of Cogentix Medical © 2015 Cogentix Medical. All rights reserved. 
Leslie Wooldridge, GNP-BC, CUNP, BCIA-PMD
Leslie Saltzstein Wooldridge, GNP-BC, CUNP, BCIA-PMD, is Director of the Adult Bladder Control Center, Mercy Health Partners, Muskegon, Michigan USA. Ms. Wooldridge received a Master of Science degree in nursing administration, critical care nursing and postgraduate certification as a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 2015, she was honored with the Women’s Health Foundation Activist Award. She is also the recipient of the 2009 National Association for Continence Rodney J. Appell Continence Champion Award. Ms. Wooldridge has published in multiple refereed journals. She authored the Genitourinary chapter in The Nurse Practitioner in Long Term Care: Guidelines for Clinical Practice (2007). She has lectured throughout the United States on geriatrics, urology and clinical practice.
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