Difficulty urinating

[cornfairy]

My last MRI showed lesions "typical of MS" and last weekend I had a 24-hr period where I couldn't urinate (well, maybe a little dribbling during bowel movements, but nowhere near a normal output).



Then the next day it was fine, although I continue to have a slight burning sensation where I imagine my bladder to be, although no burning during or after urinating.



My questions are:



1) Could MS cause this, even if it's only for a day?

2) How long can I have less than normal urine output without risking damage to my kidneys?

3) Now that I'm back to normal, would anything show up on tests if I go for tests?  (I'm a little tired of tests).

4) I sometimes have to stop and start several times during urination to feel like I've really emptied my bladder.  Is this part of the same issue?

5)  Is the bladder emptying function also controlled by the autonomic nervous system?  (I already have problems with bowel, eye focusing, heart rate, and body temperature, which I think are all controlled or influenced by autonomic nervous system)



I am a 45 year old caucasion female with no bladder problems up to now, apart from a few UTIs 25 years ago.  I don't drink coffee or sodas, and I try to drink lots of water.





Thanks for your help!

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Snowflake:



The first thing I would do is recommend you see your family physician and make sure you do not have an infection.  Once this is ruled out, then I would speak to your MS doctor.  One of the side effects of MS is to loose bladder control as you have described.  There are medications for a neurogenic bladder.  There are some simple tests that can be done to see if you are developing a neurogenic bladder.  I would highly recommend this as you need to stay ontop of your health, especially with MS.  This will help you manage the disease better with less side effects.  Infection adversely affect MS.



I hope this helps.



CCF Neuro MD