Advice on UTI and MS

[ConfirmedRachel]

I originally posted as a reply to Kyle, but in case people don't see it, I've now raised as my own query.

I've been wondering about this side of things as I'm currently having a horrible bout of UTI cystitis and will be phoning the docs in the morning - pleeeeease let it be a 'normal' bout but I don't think I've ever been this bad before.

Literally have to zoom to the loo having less than 30 seconds warning and get there, just, with a couple of near misses. Must be min 20 times a day including early hours of the morning and I'm pretty sure retaining too as if try again in 5 mins, I go again.  Does that happen 'normally' as opposed to MS related?

Now I know this is a subject I've seen posted before so I feel less embarrassed to mention it, but I literally feel the need to go all the time, even having just been. The pain on stopping is horrible and waves through my whole body.

Are there normally other signs before you start to have this as a problem or does it just grab you? Is it considered a relapse? Does it get better if it is? Having just had a clear MRI I'm leaning to it not being connected but it feels different to when I've had it before.

I'm clearly run down and despite taking Aciclovir to prevent cold sores, have a set brewing - first ones like this since I've been on the tablets nearly two years ago.

I guess my query around all of this is, if this is linked to MS how would I know the difference?

Thanks peeps
Nx

[ConfirmedRachel]

Thanks guys, what a brilliant bunch you all are xxx

Saw Doc this morning, 'dipped' sample and said there was an elevated white cell count, showing I was fighting something but would send the sample off anyway to get it checked out. Guessed the non-prescription stuff I'd taken had helped a bit.
Have a three day antibiotics course and two tabs down and already making a difference on the pain side of things. Urgency side not so much just yet.

My GP practice are so good though and will phone, see you etc really quickly. From "call to pill" was 1.5 hours!

Off to catch up on some much needed sleep.

Thanks all again :-)

Nx

[aspen2]

In limbo, but neurogenic bladder is one dx I do have.  I have had retention and had to have an indwelling catheter for a time as a result.

My issue is an inability to tell when I have to go .. Because of lack of feeling in my bladder.  Just coming out of my second go around of this. When it's bad, I don't have notice until it hurts -- then too late.

I also have urgency, and chronic utis which escalate other symptoms.
I just came off a months worth of antibiotics ... Again.

I don't consider this a relapse but it has caused escalation when untreated (keep in mind I don't know what my relapses ARE lol, but either way they can cause neurological issues to increase- due to fever, infection)

[Corriel]

Hi there! I have had an overactive bladder since around the time of my dx. Peeing up to 20 times a day never less than 15.

I thought I had a UTI last month but it was only cystitis. The doc prescribed me Pyridium and it helped tremendously although my urine looked like Kool Aid! :-)

My physiatrist is sending me for a urodynamics study to make sure that I don't have retention issues before starting me on meds.

My c-spine was lesion free 4 months ago but in the last 2 years I am showing increasingly more symptoms and an attack that my neuro says are spinal cord related.

I hope you find some relief soon!

C.

[ConfirmedRachel]

Thank you all for your replies - I knew you would :-)

JJ - I half guessed it would be a spinal lesion if there was likely to be a connection. I don't think my plumbing has been quite right since I had the methylpredisilone course earlier this year.

I'm expecting a call back within the hour from my doc then hopefully some help in clearing the infection.
Was up at 3am (4am ish previous 2 nights). Thank goodness I have the day off and can have 40 winks later.

Right then, quick shower and get up - lazy bones! 9am oops!

Thanks again
Nx

[immisceo]

Um, yeah. I peed on myself twice the week before I wound up in hospital. Looking back, I don't know what I thought or why it didn't ring any alarm bells. I was 30! I guess I just thought I'd absent-mindedly not listened to the 'go to the loo!' signals because I got too involved in work.

And I do get more-often-than-average UTIs. But luckily neither the urgency or infection have stuck around permanently. They just kind of spring up every few months, stick around for a while, and go away.

I work at an NGO the specialises in advocacy and providing services for the elderly. I have waaaaaaay too much empathy for some of the things they bring up...

[supermum_ms]

Hi there,

Bladder bowel and sexual dysfunctions are associated with spinal cord lesions in MS, UTI's are very common in women and not usually a good indicator of something more going on, so i'd assume it is just a normal bout of cystitis at this stage....  

Cystitis signs and symptoms often include:

A strong, persistent urge to urinate
A burning sensation when urinating
Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
Blood in the urine (hematuria)
Passing cloudy or strong-smelling urine
Pelvic discomfort
A feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen
Low-grade fever
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cystitis/basics/symptoms/con-20024076

The first clue I had that something was abnormal abnormal was when urine just ran down my leg with out any warning at all one summer day, i'd been having urgency issues and UTI's for a few years already but this was totally different because the usual stop start mechanism and all those feelings were absent.

Cheers........JJ  

[Sailorsong]

I have had bladder problems for several years now and take medication to help with it. In may case I know it is related to my MS and is a result of muscle contractions. During the testing to determine what is going on (can't remember the name of the test) the doctors noted that as soon as fluid entered my bladder it would try to expel it. Hence the almost constant urges and leaks.

  In my case after going by the time I stand up the urge and/or leaking starts. That is less than a second FYI. This is not due to retention, but normal body function. Your body is always trying to fill your bladder. I am checked every 6 months for retention problems due to the medication I take and so far (knock on wood) no retention problems.

Ever so often (probably around 1/2 dozen times a year) I also get burning when I go as if I have a UTI, but the tests all come back clean. The only thing I can figure for this is either I am having a very mild UTI and it clears up on its own, or faulty nerve signals due to the MS.

One other thing. I have PPMS so I don't have relapses but I have noticed that the urgency and leaks seem to happen more often when I get run down.

Dennis

[suspiciouscombo]

Bump :-)

[suspiciouscombo]

The above raises some great questions. Very curious to see what others post as responses. Very much hope others chime in on this one as Nx has always been so consistent in providing solid support here :-)

Nx....you are amazing.