is it a possibility or what else could it be?

[davesau]

I am a 26 year old male and I have been having issues with bladder retention, hard to start urination, frequent urge, split urination stream, weak stream, frequent stops during urination, scrotum pain, pelvic pain, left arm and hand numbness lasting several minutes several times during the day, I also have problems with my legs falling asleep as well, issues with my hands and feet becoming cold as ice with no reason, dizziness after kneeling or bending over for short periods of time, occasional blurred vision, I have a loss of appetite and have lost about 20+ lbs. over the last 2 months.  Some of which can be cutting soda, caffeine, chocolate, ect., but I still don't really have much of an appetite.  The urologist checked for enlargement of the prostate and found no abnormal swelling.  A cystocopy revealed nothing alarming, but the urologist is going to perform another one on June 11th.  The CT scan revealed enlargement of the seminal vesicles, but he is pretty sure that isn't the problem.  My urodynamic study revealed good pressure in the bladder, but next to nothing upon urination from the penis.  He said the bladder appears normal in function, but he is concerned about the lack of pressure and output from the end of the bladder to tip of the penis.  He doesn't believe it is prostatitis because no white cells were in my prostate fluid, he doesn't believe it is an enlarged prostate because he hasn’t felt or had results to show that, he said it isn't the bladder because nothing was showing any abnormalities in the bladder.  My wife's concern is it may be some neurological issue because the urologist said that he thinks it is at this point neurological in nature.  What neurological problems am I looking at here.  I am now very concerned about this. I am a firefighter/paramedic and have been placed on desk duty until we have an answer as to what the problem is.  Thanks for any information and god bless all.

[wishforchange]

Just to clarify the speciality you are looking for is called uro-neurology.  There are not too many uro-neurologists about but they do exist and work with exactly the problems you describe Dave.  If there is not one in your local area do some research and find the nearest.  This is a relatively young area of medicine and many general physicians, or evern neurologists or urologists, may not have the knowledge base and expertise of people in this speciality, eg your bladder may even appear normal under cystoscopy which would lead a urologist to declare you okay, despite your problems.  There are many things that can go wrong with the nerves controlling the bladder and urinary tract, which is what you need to have established.    Best of luck.

[vizslagal]

With your history of numbness in hands and legs plus diziness and bladder issues, I think you should consult a neurologist.  Also continue with your urologist because they have specialized knowledge and tests. Perhaps  he can suggest what to do next or if he knows a neuro urologist (if that speciality even exists).

[davesau]

Thanks a lot for your comment it is nice knowing that people on here can depend on one another.  I want to let you and everyone else know that my wife and I had a great Sunday.  What I mean is we came clean about everything our feelings, concerns, my symptoms, ect.  I know now that my wife's very upset because she doesn't want anything to happen to me.  Her concerns go from tumors, cancer, to MS, and other diseases.  Her feelings are if it something that we can control and live with then fine, but she doesn't want to raise a family without me.  We had a great talk with many laughs and tears, but when it was over we knew eachothers feelings.  That was such a great discussion for both of us.  It helped I think bring us closer just knowing that we are in this together.  Thanks again for your comments, prayers, and thoughts.  It means a lot knowing people out there you have never met before care.  

Thanks,
- Dave

[Barbie51]

Hi,
I have a neurogenic bladder as well and learned to self-catheter which was a real Godsend.  I was diagnosed with that 13 years ago and then due to memory problems I was having and fatigue was diagnosed with MS six years ago.  It has not been a death sentence.  Other than fatigue, I still lead a pretty normal life.  Being forced to slow down has allowed me enjoy a lot of things I didn't have time for before.  

Anyway, try not to assume the worst.  Be open and honest with your wife and keep going to Doc until you get answers.  A neurologist will be able to tell you what additional testing needs to be done to get more answers about what's going on with you.  

You sound like a great guy trying to do all the right things.  You have every right to feel confused, angry, paranoid, etc....  Just try to take it one day at a time and know that whatever comes your way, your family and your new friends here on this forum will help you figure out how to live with it.

In my prayers,
Barb

[davesau]

Thanks for your input.  I will take the things you talked about and put them into action.  You are correct that I owe it to my wife and children.  I do want the best for all of us.  I do play and try and be positive and just enjoy my time with them.  I have had blood drawn and it came back negative for anything abnormal, but I am not sure that an autoimmine profile was done.  You're right about lying to my wife, but sometimes it is hard especially right now with her being pregnant and all.  I will try my best to be honest and open about everything.  Thanks again for your input.

-Dave

[wishforchange]

Not sure how much I can help but I'd like too.  Am under tremendous stress myself at the moment (enitrely different reasons), so can empathize, but it does sound as if you're trying to cope with everything on your own when you do need support.  Despite all your recent experiences, illness is not always a direct route to death.  It is hardly surprising you've made that link but it's not helping you be objective about your symptoms.  For example, light headedness and weight loss can be a stress reaction, numbness in a limb less likely so.  What I'm trying to say is that in your current state of thinking it is hard for you to separate out your symptoms and think them through.  You need to find a doctor who will take on board the whole picture, who will take the stress you are under seriously, and also pursue finding a diagnosis for your significant change in health.  Have you for example had an autoimmine profile done? - a simple blood test.  Have you had nerve and muscle testing on your arm?  Have you been even referred for counselling?  Not because your symtpoms aren't real, but because you currently feel unable to confide in your wife.  I really think you need to get this fear of iminent death addressed, it is putting you under even greater pressure.  When you next visit your doctor have a list prepared of how you want to proceed.  For example, if pain is very bad, you need help with that.  Stiffness may be helped by supplement such as Glucosamine, or carefully targetted physiotherapy.  You need to know what blood tests have been done and what can yet be looked at.  Whether more MRI's are indicated.  If there are good uro-neurologists in your area...etc. etc.  I don't suggest overloading your doctor with questions, many react badly to this and will pull away from helping you.  You just need to be very clear on what your symptoms are, and what you wish to find out.  If you are too emotional to be so clear then you need to address this before you see your doctor, by talking things out.  Pay for counselling if necessary, you owe it to your wife and children to be comfortable in your mind.  And maybe think twice about lying to your wife - likely she is more aware of your problems than you think.  Don't carry the whole burden yourself, it will only make you worse ultimately.  I wonder whether to scare you, but okay I will.  You may be aware that cancer has been associated with people who tend to bottle up their feelings.  I am NOT saying you have cancer, just trying to encourage you not to bottle up your feelings.  You have this fear, and your behaviour may be bringing you closer to what you fear.  You need to vent to everyone, here, your family, your doctor, your friends, a therapist you pay...  It may not cure you completely (or it even may do..here's hoping), but it will definitely help.  I wish you a speedy diagnosis and recovery and vent all you like.  I've done it plenty of times here.  You can even vent on your own journal on your profile page, and keep it private if you wish.  Just click the button under your entry saying you only want yourself to have access to it, or just your online friends.  You have a response here from a lady whe's so stressed she is about to explode, so apologies if I have said anything wrong.

[davesau]

I am sorry to keep writing on here.  I am just extremely upset.  I can't hide from the discomfort, the numbness in my left arm, the pressure in my scrotum, the urge to urinate, and the lies I must constantly tell my wife.  I have to tell her that I am fine when I am truly miserable, in pain, tired, cold, light-headed, ect.  I can't ever just have a good day.  I can't ever be that person I was a year ago.  I can't be the dad I want so bad to be again.  I try, but I fail horribly at it.  I feel guilty because people out there are dying and I am not or haven't been told that I am.  I am just scared.  I lost my dad in April of 2007 to cancer and my wifes grandfather to cancer in June 2006 and her grandmother in March of 2008.  My wife and 4 year old daughter have only known sickness = death in the last 1 1/2 years.  I will be honest I am scared that is happening again in someways.  It is all that we have been around.  I continue to fight the good fight and find out what is wrong, but none of the tests reveal any results yet.  If it is something serious I would like to know soon because no answers is a hard thing to take.  I don't want to have to lie and say things are okay when they aren't.  I can't tell her that I am hurting all the time because she is already scared more than ever.  I am sorry that I keep writing on here I just need to vent.  I am just so emotionally and physically drained at this point.  God Bless all of you.

[davesau]

Thanks for the information.  I am eating better a lot better to be honest.  I still don't feel hungry often, but I eat any way to maintain a proper diet.  I still however lost another 2 pounds.  I will have them look into all possible causes that is for sure.  I have noticed that over the past weekend I began having issues with feeling a little light headed sometimes for no known reason.  I would be sitting for may be 5 minutes or less stand up and get light-headed.  When I sit indian style on the floor I notice that when I go to stand up my joints in my knees feel as though they are stiff as a rock again only sitting for minimal amounts of time.  It almost hurts, but I have to stand still for about 30 to 60 seconds then it mostly will go away then I can walk.  I have noticed that I zone out a couple times a day just starring then realize this and stop myself.  I have noticed that I get tired faster than I use to.  My temper is not as good as it use to be either which that may just be the stress of everything right now.  May be I am over reacting about this, but I have a 4 soon to 5 on June 23rd daughter and my wife is pregnant expecting our second child in October.  We had fertility issues for over a year and finally got pregnant and now this has started.  I just don't want to miss something that may help me insure being around for my family is all.

[wishforchange]

Obviously the cause of your symptoms need to be investigated but if you have lost your appetite poor nuitrition could be increasing your problems.  You may for example be anaemic or deficient in essential vitamins or minerals such as b12.   Aside from the bladder issue you need to ensure your diet is either sufficient or you are taking the right supplements.  Maybe ask to see a dietician who can order blood tests for deficiencies.  Meanwhile it seems clear you need a neurological assessment.  Sometimes it is hard to establish the exact neurological cause of chronic urinary retention, particularly in those who are as yet diagnosed with other neurological conditions.  It is a relatively new area of research in medicine.  In the past people with these problems just had to live with endless infections and often ultimately ended up with damaged kidneys.  Self-catheterization is one of the best methods for dealing with this problem.  I have the same problem myself, I am female.  I have been offered a surgical implant to stimulate the nerves controlling emptying of the bladder, but did not want it.  If you wish to return to an active life the implant is not such a good idea, as it can be dislodged by strenuous activity.  Self-catheterizing is not pleasant, but you do get used to it, and it is not a big deal once you've mastered the technique.  It is far preferable to getting infections.  Be sure of your hygeine in cleaning the area though.  It is possible to introduce bacteria via the catheter if you do not do this, plain saline or batadine (iodine) are fine for cleaning.  I hope you get some answers, but do think about your diet (as well as seeing a neurologist).  It may be that some of the symptoms improve with better nuitrition.

[syndismilez]

Hi,
I too found out I have bladder retention. I was having numerous bladder infections for over 2 years. Finally saw a specialist who immediately found out about the retention. I self cath and probably will for the rest of my life. Now that specialist knew this was not normal (I am 36) and called my PCP. He inturn sent me for a MRI and a nuero visit. I also received all the tests to rule out a host of things. All normal.  
So now I am un Dx'd, neuro said Probable MS and sent me for a second opinion.
I have a lot of other symptoms which I thought were coming from having so many infections, but they are all still there, infections gone. I have now experienced the numb arm after a serious case of bronchitis. I also have slight foot drop, muscle twitches, buzzing sensations, and a weird jerky eyeball.
I have not seen my neuro yet since, but I really need to. Just got burned out.
All these symptoms started about a year after my infections.
Oh yeah, I was definately dx'd with neurogenic bladder.
So that's my short version of my bladder story. I hate cathing but the alternative is way worse. The doc said I can ruin my bladder if I don't take care of myself.
good luck to you!  I hope all will be well. :)
Cyndi
  

[sllowe]

Hey,

Well, you must be worried and frustrated! Especially on desk duty - yuck!

Well, hard to know what they are going to look at.  You have all of these test results from the Urologist? Can the Urologist prepare up a nice letter for you that lists what he/she has test you for and the results of those test w/his thoughts?  That is the bare minimum you need to move forward.

If I may ask, can you take these things you've desribed here and put those symptoms in bulleted form? I think that will be a nice complement to a complete letter from your Urologist with the work-ups he did.

Wish I could help more with what the Neuro will look into. But, he will ask you about the bladder/urination symptoms - and that list will help you describe it to him best.

Hang w/us for a bit, some more will chime in and describe what they've gone through w/bladder.

Welcome to our group, and thanks for joining us, hope you feel better soon,
-SL