Not sure if it's the onset on MS

Hi,
I could really do with a little help.
I'm not sure if I should mention to my GP about the thought that I may have MS.
Just a little history about why I think I have it:
1-2 Months ago thought I had a UTI left it as stated new job, went to doctor who told me I did have a UTI, was amitted to hospital to have appendix out but bladder was beginning to be troublesome, went into retention before my op, had a cath fitted, this was removed the day after op, then found I still was having trouble passing urine, they put it back in, tried again to remove but to no joy. I was sent home with cath in situ, this was removed a couple of days after getting home. Things seem to improve slightly, I was peeing unaided, but was a big struggle, then after about 5 days went back into retention. I have had a cath in now for the best part of 4 weeks, I'm not happy. I had a urodyamics test on Monday and it shows no muscle contractions with the Sphincter, had emergency appt yesterday with specalist whom has told me he doesn't know what has caused this, I have to go back in 3 months to have another trial without cath, but if this doesn't help and I still can't pee, then the long term out look is bleak and me and the cath are going to become very good friends for the rest of my life.
So the reason I think I may have MS, as all possible web sites I refer to about why I can't pee say it's a symptom of MS, also my Sister has the condition, although I'm aware it's not hereditary there is a higher chance that 4% people with 1st degree relative with MS will delevop the condition. I also seem to have some other symptoms that I thought were just part of my everyday life.
Please could someone advise me on what to do.
I'm 28 years old and the thought of having a cath for the rest of my life is not very pleasing, I also just want some answers as to why I have now developed this condition of not being able to pee.

Thanks
Helen

[mary_kay]

Welcome to this forum!  The contributors here will offer much support and good information.  When we share our stories with each other, we learn, reduce that feeling of being alone, and have the opportunity to help others too.  I too am un-dx'd with many symptoms of MS.  My best suggestion is to read the health pages (see upper-right corner of this page), compare the information to your symptoms, and don't take chances on your health. I have a hunch that everyone here has gone through that feeling that they are in a pity-party and complaining too much, but don't go there!  It is good to be pro-active and check out your concerns.  Many of my symptoms were brushed off for years and attributed to "getting older" or depression or tight shoes...yep!  

Keep coming back, educate yourself, and definitely tell your doctor of your concerns.  If he/she tells you your probably wore tight shoes as a child, dump that doctor and get another.  
Blessings,
Mary Kay

[risnerrose]

Welcome,

There are several forum members with siblings that also have MS, so it is very understandable that this would be on your mind.  If you and your sister live in the same community, you could seek a consult with her doctors . . . perhaps she would go along.  As Mary Kay said, "Be pro-active".

Have you mentioned MS to your current doctors?  What other symptoms are you experiencing?  By the way, there is great informaton posted on the health pages (link is in the upper right corner of this page).

Sherry

[JonM]

Although MS can't be ruled out, form what you have described it does not sound like MS.  MS almost always starts with symptoms that last 2,3,4 weeks or so and then they remit.  This pattern can be more indicative of MS than the symptoms.  A MS diagnosis is made from symptoms typical of MS presentinf over time in different places at different times.  I.e. leg goes suddenly weak and gets better over three weeks, while two weeks into that recovery another symptom starts.  Also an MRI of the brain is used.

I would say that if your bladder was MS related it would have remitted (not last for several months) and other symptoms would have presented and gone.

I'm not a doctor, just an MS sufferer, so please follow your doctors advice.

Jon

[Quixotic1]

Hi, and welcome to the forum!  I certainly see why you are considering MS as one of the possiblilties causing your neurogenic bladder.

You are quite correct in your assessment of you additional risk for MS by having a sibling with MS.  The general population has about a 1 in 800 rish of developing MS (some say 1 in 1000).  With a sibling your risk rises to about a 1 in 25 to 1 in 30 chance -or about a 4%.  So all neurologic problems have to be viewed with that increased risk.

I disagree that you would expect a neurogenic bladder to remit.  Urinary symptoms are more likely to remain and not remit than many of the other types of symptoms.  I have read this, but am not sure exactly why it is.  It may be because some of the nerve types that are involved with proper emptying of the bladder are part of the autonomic nervous system.  These are unmyelinated nerve fibers and damage to them is less likely to heal.

What other symptoms have you had that you assumed were just apart of everyday living?

I also wanted to know why you have an indwelling catheter and are not on intermittent catheterization?  Just curious.

I'm glad you found us.  I hope we can help you through this.

Quix

[Lulu54]

Hi Helen,
I understand your concern about the cath, since I just learned to self-cath on Friday and probably will do that for the rest of my days.  The big difference is I am 54 and not 28.  However, let me point out what you probably already know - to do nothing and let the urine retention affect your kidneys is not an option.  You must relieve ourself some way, some how.  

Welcome to the forum  - I hope you find lots of answers here for your questions.

And I must add I love your name - that is the name of my mother.


Be well,
Lulu

[hell65]

Thanks for your reply, and to everyone else whom has helpped me some how.

My other symptoms, that I thought were part of every day life are: Blurred Vision
Lower Back Pain
Dragging of my leg after walking a distance
Fatigue
Feeling low
Pains in my legs

I hope this can help you help me make a decision on whether to talk to my GP about this, I feel that there must be some answer to why I am like this.

Helen

[JonM]

Your other symptoms can all be MS.  You need further investigation in the absence of a definite DX.  I think what can help move the conversation forward is to make a timeline of your symptoms, their severity and when they started and stopped. Take this to the doctor. Bring a relative with you (Mom or Husband, sister with MS) Get a referral to a Nuerologist who specializes in MS.

Jon

[hell65]

Many thanks for all your comments, I really hope this is going to get sorted asap, I don't think I can go on not knowing what is wrong with me and why I have suddenly stopped peeing.
In reply to Quix I have not been taught to self cath yet and the specalist at the hospital seems to think that I should stay with cath insitu for another 3 months. I find this very fustrating as I want to beable to take my daughter swimming and get back to normal life.
Any more comments or thoughts would be welcome.

Love Helen

[hell65]

I was just wondering if pain in the ear is another symptom, I have been getting this on and off for a while now, also last night whilest laying in bed I had this really weird sensation in my hand, it felt as though it was bunning up!!
Thanks
Helen