More Matters of the Bladder.....Quix, can you chime in?

Okay, I've been on an antibiotic for about 2 1/2 months now for a bladder infection that just doesn't want to go away.
When I first began seeing the Urologist, he diagnosed me with Detrussor ????? (Floppy Bladder which is consistent with my RRMS)  I had constant and sudden urges and just couldn't make it to the restroom in time.

Since March of this year, my bladder has changed.  Now, it takes me anywhere from 5 - 7 minutes to void and even then I still feel as if I'm not completely emptying.  My bladder is continually in pain.  There are times when I get the sudden urge to urinate but nothing like before when it was all the time.  

Is it normal with MS to have your bladder change like this?  Wow, I never knew how much one little organ could cause so much problems.

Thanks for all your input!

[VictoriaDouglas83]

Hi.  I'm sorry I don't have an answer for this.  But I want you to know that you are not alone.  Sometimes I have to run to the bathroom, only to find out I don't have to pee.  And I have to get up like 5 times, sometimes more, during the night to pee.

Good luck and I hope you find some answers soon.

Victoria

[Lulu54]

I've run the whole gammut of bladder issues - urgency, hesitancy, retention.... it's quite fun trying to guess what is coming next.  

Fortunately I have a great urogyno who has worked through this with me and I am now in control ... well sort of, if you don't count the meds and the ISC routine.  LOL

don't give up searching for a combination that will work for you - this really can make a huge impact on QOL (quality of life) and makes a difference whether we even feel ok to leave our home.  

be well, Lulu

[Lulu54]

oh yeah - the infection.  It may very well not be going away because your bladder is not emptying completely.  That stale urine hanging out is just incubating those germs over and over.  Have they suggested self-catherization to you to empty your bladder? Once you get past the ick factor,  It really is not that hard to master and can make a big difference.  

[deborah0904]

so, it sounds like this is a normal thing with MS then.  I thought I was going crazy.  He hasn't suggested the self cath yet.  I'm afraid that might be next.  However, I do think I would feel much better and my bladder would quit hurting.  It's constantly aching!!  

Lulu, I hope you get over your infection real quick.  

Thanks guys!

[Quixotic1]

Deborah, while this kind of changing pattern is completely consistent with MS, it is still worrisome.  You have gone from a pattern of urgency and frequency to more of a pattern of urine retention.  This means that the bladder is NOT contracting to empty itself and/or the sphincter muscle is spasming when it should relax.

The concern is that even though you are taking the time, it is quite possible that you are retaining too much urine in the bladder after you empty.  Urine that sits around this way gets infected very easily.  To paraphrase "Idleness is the devil's playground."  This is the logical explanation of all the infections.  

As we say as often as we can, we have to jump on any and all infections, because they are the most common reason for relapses, with UTIs being right up there near the #1 cause.

Secondly, the bladder that retains urine tends to retain more and more.  Eventually this can cause back up of urine into the ureters (the tubes that drain down from the kidneys)  and can ultimately cause kidney damage and kidney failure.  This happens more frequently in men, but it happens in women, too.

So, off you go back to the Uro to see if the retention is the cause.  This is the path that one often follows to Intermittent Self-Cath'ing.  Lulu was right on the nose about this and the ohter points.  Self Cath'ing is just a skill like any other.  And, it would very likely solve the infection and the bladder aching problems.  

Do NOT hesitate in getting this checked out.  Do NOT hesitate in getting this checked out.  Persistent infection can be life-threatening, though this is unusual in an otherwise healthy person.

Off you go now.  Bye Bye

Quix

[Quixotic1]

Aaand...

If you haven't read

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple-Sclerosis/The-Neurology-of-Bladder-Incontinence/show/758?cid=36

it might help to understand all this.

Quix

[deborah0904]

Quix
Thank you, for chiming in.  I took the opportunity to also read the Neurology of the Bladder article that you wrote.  You guys have been so helpful.  I do have a follow up appt. with the Urologist in a week or so.  I think that appt. needs to be moved to a closer date and time.  The bladder is really hurting.  Thanks again guys!  I really appreciate your help!

Deborah