Re: Neurogenic Bladder Questions

Posted By CCF Neuro MD msf on November 11, 1998 at 13:17:40:

In Reply to: Re: Neurogenic Bladder Questions posted by Diane...Sorry, 1 more question on November 10, 1998 at 23:54:24:







:
  Sorry to add to this, but forgot to add my most important question.  I understand that sometimes its not possible to get any diagnosis for what is causing problems like mine.  But, 5 months ago, I was fine, and had no medical problems.  All of a sudden I start getting UTI's and cant get rid of them because of urine retention.  Self-cath helps some, but my loss of feeling and function is rapidly increasing.  Since the urologist definately believes that my problem stems from a neurological problem, and my Neurologist feels the same and has ordered all the tests: MRI's, evoked potentials, EMG, etc. I dont understand how it's possible that it won't show up on tests.  if no lesions on mri's and evoked potentials are normal, where do I go from that point?  I guess what I'm trying to say is that something major has to be causing a bladder to all of a sudden stop functioning.  Obviously, it isnt normal for a 32 yr old to not be able to void, and not have feeling of bladder being full at all, so why wouldnt the reason show up on these tests?
Thanks again
Dear Diane,
Bladder problems are certainly frustrating, and you are right, something has to go wrong for a bladder to stop functioning. However, our tests are sometimes unable to pinpoint the exact cause of this dysfunction. Medicine is not an exact science, and there are many things that we don't know yet. If your tests come back negative, this will rule out some diagnoses, and your doctors will continue to monitor your neurological status until somethig shows up. Your workup probably included a spinal tap and bloodwork.
Also, if you keep getting frequent UTIs despite self-catheterization, this increases the likelihood that you are not emptying your bladder optimally, as I mentioned in my previous response. Do not forget to mention this to your doctor.