Abdominal Spasms After Bathing

[Mel3938]

My daughter is 4 years old now.  About 8 months ago she began complaining of "farts" from her vulva.  She then began hurting after urinating and always having a feeling of wetness.  While she does sometimes have some drips of urine, it is not much or often.  Finally she began experiencing pain and spasms after having a shower.  This does not happen after swimming.  She has been to 3 doctors and is about to see the 4th next week.   She has been put on Detrol and GelQue.  Both helped in the beginning but didn't cure.  Actually after 3 - 4 weeks it isn't as effective, although better than if she is on nothing.  She has also always battled with constipation since she was born.  She had her 1st x-ray at 1 year old and had a 2nd along with an ultrasound just a couple of months ago.  Does any of this mean anything to you.  The urologist is actually baffled by the whole huring after showing thing.  Please help!  She can't continue like this!

[David A Burks, MD]

Hi,  It's unclear what the problem is from the info above.  The bottom line is that she needs to be seen by a Pediatric Urologist specialist at a major medical center.  I assume she has had an ultrasound of her kidneys and bladder and there are no structural problems. She may have a problem with bladder emptying or overactive bladder with the history of bladder spasms after a shower. With the history of chronic constipation she may have dysfunctional elimination syndrome, spina bifida occulta or other pelvic muscle or neurologic problem. The Pediatric Urologist should be able to sort this out.  Good Luck.