Twist,
As a member of the intermittent self-catherization club, I have to tell you it really does make a difference for my quality of life. It is really liberating to be able to last 3-4 hours without a trip to the loo. It also allows me to sleep through the night, well on most nights.
Once you get past the ick factor, it is an easy technique that just about everyone can master.
I view this as a better choice that risking damage and having to do dialysis three times a week because of a bladder infection refluxing into my kidneys. It can and does happen if your bladder does not empty completely.
It is a hard conversation to have with the doctors, but they've heard it all before. They can make the tests are comfortable as possible for you - if they decide you need to go ahead with the urodynamic study.
My neuro thinks the urologist should have done the study, and I discussed it with the urologist. She said regardless of what the results were, she would still treat me and my misbehaving bladder the same way. So we skipped the additional tests.
Good luck with this - I know it isn't easy to face. Quix and I and many others here can empathize with you.
-Lu
Thank you Lulu I can cope with an ultrasound but not catheters and the like. not yet anyway.
Twist
Twist,
There is a very simple test that a good urologist will do to see about your retention - they will have you void your bladder and then do a quick ultrasound to see if you have retention.
It is not always required to have urodynamics studies done to diagnose bladder problems.
Despite having the leaking you may still have urinary retention. It can be complex deciding what is wrong, but don't give up. Treatment can help most of us - there are a variety of drugs and self-management techniques that can add to our quality of life.
Don't delay talking to your doctor about this problem - it usually won't get better on its own.
be well, Lulu
Sorry you are going through this. I think you should see a urologist they may do a urodynamics test on you to see what is going on with your bladder and figure out what they can do to help you. It is a catheter and they fill you with liquid and then you expell it and they measure how much you expell compared to how much you took in.
It isn't to painful and it can give you the results you need to find a solution. If you don't get it treated it can lead to UTI's and kidney infection/problems so I encourage you to take the next step and see the urologist.
Take care and I hope you get some relief,
Paula