bladder issues

Hi all! I've had a miserable 8 months which is why I have not been around. Was very ill in October and in thehospital with swine flu, damaged my lungs. I've been reading about the bladder issues because that is something that has really begun to happen in the past 6 months. My neuro wanted me to get away from the cold damp weather, but I live on disability...duh. Anyway, Today the pulmonologist put me on spiriva (I have felt sick ever since the first dose) and on reading the info there is a warning about taking it with bladder problems. Would an MS bladder be sufficient reason to tell him that this probably isn't the wises thing? The bladder stuff has gotten worse over the past month. I go, it stops, then goes some more ...for about 5 minutes. Then every once in a while I will go with no problem, but that's become less frequent. The urgency has gotten worse too. All of a sudden I have to go and when I stand up I'm not sure I'm going to make it to the bathroom. I don't need a drug that's going to make my bladder issues worse.

Any input would be appreciated. I'm handling this stuff alone with no support system.

[willowwoman7]

bump

[steph74]

Hi willow,

I'm sorry you've been so sick!  It doesn't sound like you're completely well yet, either.

I would definitely mention the bladder issues to the doctor and see if he still wants you on the drug.  Don't rule it out entirely if he thinks it's okay, but if he wants you to keep taking it, you could monitor how your bladder sx are doing.

Stephanie

[Quixotic1]

Hi, I have definitely missed you and am sad to hear about both the bladder problems and the damage from the swine flu.  I pray your lungs can heal.  We have another member who suffered in the ICU from it in December and is still recuperating.

Spiriva is a TERRIBLE med for someone with neurologic difficulties with the bladder.  One of it's major side effects is to relax the smooth muscle in the body.  While this is great for relieving the spasm in the lungs, it can be terrible for the smooth muscle in places like the colon (it can cause severe constipation) and the bladder (it can cause retention, not being able to start urinating, or incomplete emptying.)  Thus, we see when we look at the info on the drug that 7% of normal people have bladder infections on it.

No, I would say that it is contraindicated in a person with MS and urinary problems.

Plus, the infections will cause a constant stimulation of your immune system and can cause ongoing relapses and symptom worsening.

In my medical opinion you should NOT be on it.  You should notify your doc immediately and point all this out.  If he feels that this is the ONLY med which will improve your pulmonary symptoms, then he should form a plan with your neurologist and urologist to control the infections vigorously.

I hope you can get to feeling better soon.

Let us know if there is anything we can do.

{{{{{HUGS}}}}

Quix, MD

[Quixotic1]

If your doc gets all huffy, tell him a family friend (me), who is a doctor with MS, told you all this.  Do not say it is internet info.  I'll shoulder the responsibility.

Quix

[willowwoman7]

Bless you and thank you. You brought a little light into my tunnel. So, I'm not going nuts. Whew. Not only the bladder, but it made my heart race so bad. I am NOT going to take it anymore. I left a message with his nurse about how sick it made me. I'll let him know about the bladder issue and just use the proventil until I see him.

[willowwoman7]

Anything you can do? You did it. Thanks again. I wouldn't mind some prayers because this winter has been really hard on me between the swine flu, cold, and snow that has exacerbated the MS.

I'm at the end of my rope emotionally and physically taking care of my significant other who has health issues. I can't take one more thing going wrong. That is why my daughter is throwing me in her car next week, driving me to Florida and sticking my butt on a cruise with her for 4 days. I just hope that the warmer weather, and rest will restore my sense of serenity and peace and recharge my batteries.

[Lulu54]

If you happen to pass through my town on the way, would you stop and pick me up?  I agree, a break from this winter snow would be wonderful.  Enjoy the trip - I hope it does wonders for you.

when you get off the Spiriva, and if the bladder symptoms persist, be sure to see a urologist (preferably a urogynecologist) and have a discussion about your problems.  There are solutions and you don't necessarily have to live with this.  I speak from personal experience and am happy to share if you get to that point.

Enjoy the trip - catch some VitD for all of us stuck in gray Ohio!

be well,
Lulu