Kinda embarrasing question....

Ok, here it goes....I know that there are urinary problems related to MS.  But my problem is the opposite of what I am learning regarding this issue.  I have to really relax and concentrate in order to go pee.  It takes me a while to finish because I will stop, then start, then stop, then start...Does anyone know anything about this problem?? Or does anyone have this problem also?  
Will appreciate any imput,
Terrie

[grannyhotwheels]

I do have this problem.  Only when I actually get to the bathroom on time.  I don't really feel anything as far as urgency or anything like that.  I just go about every 2 hours and more if I drink a lot, sometimes I have already went and other times I do like you do.

My doctor gave me a catheter that I could use just every little while to drain my self.  It's not one that you wear all the time you just insert it in when you go to the restroom and it goes pee for you.lol  It's either laugh or cry and I prefer to laugh.

You might check into it if medication doesn't work for you.  Meds don't work for me so this was my last resort before having to wear a catheter all the time which I refuse to do at this point.

Hope this helps a little and remember that I'll be praying,
Carol

[6-paq]

I'm sorry you're going through this.

I've read that some MSers suffer from urinary retention.  That sounds like that might be what you're going through.

Maybe discuss it with your neuro or see a urologist.  There is some testing they can do for this issue.

HTH!

[metabolicwreck]

I just read recently that MS can result in going either way; either you have problems with incontinence, or you have trouble initiating urination.  

Would you believe, I have both?  I recently started on medication for "hyperactive bladder", and now instead of having to run to the bathroom every hour or so, I wait a little longer, and have trouble going. I'm really hoping to avoid the catheter route.  I know that you are prone to bladder infections if you can't empty completely.

I have considered telling my employer that the "reasonable accomodation" that the ADA says they need to provide is to keep the closest bathroom locked and give me the key!  I'm not there yet, but it's real tempting!

The Wreck

[TonkaSpirit]

Thank you so much for your thoughts & info.  I see my neurologist today and will force myself to tell her about it, as I am a little embarrassed.  I never even heard of a urologist, thank you...My prayers are with you all.
Terrie

[spankyandrex]

PLEASE do not be embarressed to talk about this problem with your Dr.  The worst thing you can do is not tell your Dr. about this problem, believe me, I've been there (;).   They are there to help you, they work for you hun...please talk to your Dr. there are so many things out there that can help you.  GOOD LUCK and keep us posted.  

[TonkaSpirit]

Thanks for the support..haha.  Wreck, I am so sorry to hear you have both issues.  I hope they give you that key at work.  I will tell the Dr., but I will be embarrassed still.  What is the politically correct word to use exactely?  Pee-pee? LOL I have speech trouble and the word "urinary"  will probably come out something like "rruuny".
I love you all, Terrie

[spankyandrex]

Tonka LOL - you are funny PEEPEE - Just say "Dr. I have noticed that I am having some issues with "leaking" and he'll immediately know what you are talking about".  But make sure you let him know if this is "leaking" with coughing/sneezing/laughing or if it's "urge" (you can't hold it and you have to go real bad" or if it just leaks out "at will" whenever it wants. Make sure you can tell him the difference ;)  Good luck hun!

[EL18]

Hi Tonka, you are not alone.  I've had this problem since it all started in May.  I lost all feeling in my pelvis and it's not come back yet so going to the loo is a nightmare and not only the pee pee thing...I have to let gravity takes its course on the other thing...the old raising your leg 3rd world trick seems to work...lol.

Hope the Dr can help you further...good luck.

Em x

[angela5674]

This is the exact problem I've had.  Prior to realizing I likely have MS, I thought it was because of my muscle relaxers.  I noticed more at night after I took them, so I thought maybe they were relaxing "those" muscles a bit too much.  I haven't noticed a lack of feeling specifically in the pelvis, but just in the last week or so i've noticed in in my left lower butt cheek (wierd and embarrassing, yes!) so maybe there's also less feeling in the pelvis too and I just don't feel it to know (ya know it's getting bad when you can't tell if you can't feel!) :).  I completely know what it's like, though, to have to concentrate real hard and have the starting and stopping.  Angela

[nette573]

Since my problems started in may  - I forget or dont feel like urinating and then it will hit me and I almost pee on myself before I get may pants down. very frustrating.  nette

[needanswers54]

Yes, be sure to tell you doctor. You can also use the words bladder voiding, etc.  There are medications out there for certain problems.  They are even advertised on television, just to let you know that this is a relatively common problem for "a lot" of people:  not just people with MS.  Many people have this problem when they get older and not emptying you bladder when you need to can lead to addional problems.  Intermittent bladder problems or dribbling can signal nerve damage, infection, weakened pelvis, or a whole host of things.  So for everyone, women can also try standing up intermittently (between drainage, please, if possible) so that gravity and muscle movement helps.  Also, hand pressure on the lower abdomen helps.  I have done a lot of work with the elderly, and walking can help keep our systems going, as well.  This is true for the bowel, especially; in which case a self-administered abdominal massage can sometimes help a person's system to get-going.  I mention the bowels because this can sometimes be a problem of the MS, also.  And medicines taken can also wreak havoc making things work too easily or make things more difficult such as with constipation.  And diet comes into play there.  You may have known all this already, but just a little insight from helping others.  Now, I get to start applying it to myself down the road.  Good luck and may all your trips be happy ones!

[Quixotic1]

Two things - I looked all over and couldn't find your MRI thread.  Skim reading isn't as easy for me as it once was.  If you would either bump it up or cut and past it in one of your newer threads I'd appreciate it.

Heather was right on in her advice about urinary problems.  They are incredibly common.

Second - Emptying the bladder is a very complication series of sensations, information to the brain, and the decision to urinate (which is a conscious decsision - or at least used to be!).  Several things can go wrong.  The problem you are having is spasm of the external sphincter muscle.  This is usually a neurological problem.  The sphincter is a muscle that wraps around the urethra like a purse-string.  As the bladder fills with urine the sphincter tightens to keep everything in place.  Then, ideally when you decide "it's time", two things happen.  The bladder which is a big muscular sack, contracts to push out the urine and you "consciously" relax the sphincter muscle to allow the flow.

When the messages get mixed up - all h*ll can break loose.  In your case the muscle is spasming and you are unable to relax it, just like you can't willfully relax a charlie horse.  What was once a natural action you didn't really have to think about is now a conscious effort.  Sometimes it takes an external stimulation to let it happen.  there are several things you can do.  1) try running the water in the sink.  This is often surprisingly helpful, just hearing water running.  2) Another is to take a cup of water and pour it over the area, while you bear down lightly.  3) Abdominal massage can also help.  4) Try a combination of rocking the pelvis back and forth (front to back- like "dirty dancing") and standing up briefly when the flow has stopped but you feel like there is more to come out.

Another problem that some MSers have is that they never get the signal that the bladder is full - then fuller - then overfull.  That is called urinary retention when the feedback from the brain doesn't tell the bladder to contract and it just overfills.

Sometimes it is a combination of failure of the bladder to contract at the right time and failure of the sphincter to relax at the right time.

Being constipated, becasue of a woman's anatomy can also be in the way of allowing the urine to pass freely and can make the problem worse.  It is important to try to get on and stay on a good bowel routine.  

My MS clinic is affiliated with a Continence Clinic which is run by two kind, smart, gentle, female urogynecologists.  They have helped me with my problem of severe urge incontinence.  

Nette - you and I have the same problem.  I live in caftans so there is no delay in getting the darn things down.  I also keep unscented wipes and changes of underwear in the bathroom, my purse, and in the car.

This is something you need to get checked, becasue often one problem will hide another.  Because of the spasm you may not be emptying your bladder sufficiently.  Urine that sits in the bladder too long is a set up for urine infections.  Infections, as we all know, are a major trigger for MS exacerbations.  (I'm not saying you have MS).  Just a teaching point.

Pee - is a commonly used word.  The medical term is voiding.  Pee-pee is usually reserved for pediatrics, but it also gets the point across.

Good luck, but Tell Your Doctor!

Quix