Urinary Issues

[JJJ77]

I am so sorry to bother all of you good people but I have a question.  I have never had any kind of urinary issues before and I am not sure what to think right now!!  Starting for or 5 days ago I began having to urinate much more frequently.  The past two nights I have been up half the night going to the bathroom.  No accidental expelling of urine or pain/burning but very uncomfortable constant urge.  Within 5 minutes of going to the bathroom I have the urge to go again!!  Went to OB Dr today and no bladder infection though they are going to send specimen out for culture.  Called my neuro and her NP said it sounds like bladder infection and not anything neurological.  Do any of you have any insight on this issue?  I appreciate any comments! Thanks!

[Lulu54]

It sure sounds like a UTI to me.  I keep getting them - no symptoms other than frequency and a different odor.  I wouldn't be surprised if the culture comes back positive.  
If you look at our health pages yo uwill see some excellent information about this problem - it is extremely common with MS patients.

Be well,
Lu

[BOK2Bjan]

I have this problem and for me it is IC.  It was diagnosed with bladder extension under general anesthesia.  There are pinpoint hemorrhages all over the bladder wall.  It is irritated with any amt of urine, and so the urge.  Sometimes it is horrible and feels like a UTI, making it hard for me to tell.  After voiding, I have an intense feeling of urgency that is painful, just like with infection.  It's a nightmare.  I'm also having trouble now with bladder emptying.  I sometimes have to "push" and strain.  And just recently, I've had a few episodes of incontinence - but just a little bit.  I'm afraid I'm having MS bladder issues now on top of the IC.  I feel for you, trust me.  I hope you don't have IC, but something temporary!

Blessings to you.  Jan

[jensequitur]

I have had a similar situation - my bladder felt full all the time, even after going.  I had cramping in that area, and I was visiting the room about once an hour, maybe twice.  This went on all day!  Worse yet, I felt like a water balloon with a knot tied in it - I had to push to void.

[Karen99]

Hi.  You wrote that you called your neuro?  I am assuming that you have MS?  If you are having new onset of urinary frequency/urgency without having infection, you might be having a neurogenic bladder.  Call your neurologist again once you get an all-clear from your OB.  

I have experience what you are describing occasionally.   Almost as soon as I leave the bathroom, I feel the need to go again. I'd go, again, with little results.  This is a common MS problem.  My neuro wanted to do a study to determine if I simply had a small bladder or if it was caused by MS.  I didn't do the study because I know it's from MS.  There are medications that can help this.  I opted out of that too because I don't like taking more medication than is absolutely necessary.

Before diagnosis, urinary frequency/urgency was at the top of my list of complaints.  I saw urologists and gynecologists with no explanation - no infection - nada. During my one huge flare, this was a BIG problem.  

Recently, one of the forum members, Quixotic1 wrote about her travails with urinary problems.  You will find it insightful.  I believe you can find it by using the "Search This Community" icon located on the upper right hand corner.  I'll try to find it for you.    

[Karen99]

Here's one:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/Losin-It---How-we-Micturate-Properly/show/783929

[Karen99]

And another:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/Adventures-in-the-Sand-Box/show/789062

Good luck.

[BOK2Bjan]

Having gone through every test and drug/ dx etc. for my extensive bladder problems, I can tell you all that even though you have a diagnosed disease, it isn't easy to know what a given symptom is being caused by.  I was placed first on the commonly used meds for overactive or spastic bladder.  But, because I really had Interstitial Cystitis, they made my condition worse.  Before long, I still had all the urges but couldn't void completely.  It got so bad that I finally saw a urology specialist who diagnosed me.  Now, I believe I also have the MS bladder problems.  

I just want to encourage everyone to look beneath the obvious - because once you have a diagnosis, doctors tend to blame all your symptoms on that disease.  (symptoms that can possibly be caused by that disease of course)  Problem is - it could be a different disease.  This type thinking delayed several of my diagnoses because it wasn't thought I had multiple autoimmune diseases.  Each symptom means something, so be sure to write down each tiny detail of your symptoms - its surprising how the slightest difference can indicate a completely different disorder.  UTIs are common with MS too - even though not necessarily directly caused by it.

With IC, I have to give myself instillations with catheters after mixing my concoctions and pouring the meds into a funnel and into the cath and into the bladder.  It's a real treat.  For a while, I was doing daily injections, (Copaxone), bladder caths, high dose methotrexate, spinal injections, plus all my millions of pills.  Of course then there's the CPAP and O2.  Sometimes it just doesn't seem worth it.  Those are the down days.  And I have to admit - those are coming more often than not.  I've never been a down person.  Now I'm having real changes in mood.  I have depression and irritability that have come on hard and fast.  New symptom - one I can't take.

HELP!

Jan

[JJJ77]

Thank you all for the information.  I am going to make sure I am thoroughly examined...by someone :(  This constant urge to pee will drive a person mad!!!  I guess if the culture comes back negative and my neuro doesn't want to guide me, I will take it upon myself to go see a urologist.  That seems like the best thing to do right??  Thank you all for your input!!

Karen99-no MS yet.  Currently one spinal cord lesion and debating on whether or not to start DMDs. Thanks for the info!!!  Very helpful!! Be well!

BOK2Bjan- I am so sorry to hear of your troubles and agree with you completely.  It is very convenient to wrap everything up into one dianosis but sometimes other health issues arise. Be well!!