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Urology (Expert Forum)
spasms
Questions in the Urology forum are answered by Dr. Stephen Liroff, affiliated with the Henry Ford Hospital. Topics covered include benign prostate disease, penis curvature, cystisis, kidney stones, pediatric urology, prostate, sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections (UTI), and urological cancers.
spasms
by Cherie__0, Mar 29, 1998 12:00AM
I have an undiagnosed neuromuscular disease similar to ms but
tests say its not ms. Any way about 3 years ago i started
experiencing severe urgency, frequency, burning and pressure
where my bladder is. Since I am pretty much house bound my
regular doctor tried many different antibiotics thinking it was
reoccuring uti. Well it kept coming back so i had to go to a
urologist. All he did was cath me for a sterile sample. He
found no infection but he said while cathing he felt my bladder
spasming, squeezing and releasing. He said this is common in
muscle diseases. Have you heard of this? I have been on
Ditropan 5mg 4X a day. Was using it 3 X a day and for about a
year, been using 4X. Every once in awhile i get "breakthrough"
symptoms with the urgency, frequency, and i can feel my bladder
like "spasming". Is it normal to "breakthrough" once in awhile?
Since I have a muscle disease are my chances of being on Ditropan
for life great? I am only 29. Any possible risks being on this?
Is there any other med I could try? Even something natural, like
herbs? Is there a possibility I could become immune to this drug
therefore makeing it useless to me? --thanks so much-----Cherie
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Dear Cherie,
You are dealing with a lot! And asking good questions, too.
It is hard to talk about prognosis or natural history of disease when the diagnosis Is not clear. That said, let me make some general comments.
Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the neurological system, not the nervous system. It often shows itself by its effects on the muscles. One can get uncontrollable bladder spasms. These can often be treated with medications such as Ditropan (oxybutinin) which have direct effects on smooth muscle contraction and upon the transmission of nerve impulses. Some other drugs that may be effective are: Probanthine, hycosamine, flavoxate. That your dose requires modification from time to time is not unusual as the disease that you have may change over time, either getting somewhat better or somewhat worse (as may MS). That you would become “immune” to the drug is not the issue, rather the disease may change such that the medication is no longer effective. I am unaware of any herbal treatments for this problem.
You might consider a formal urological evaluation and follow-up if recurrent urine infections or increasing problems with continence are occurring.
I hope this helps.
This information is provided for general medical information purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition. DR. Burks and Dr. Kirkemo at our institution have interest/ in neurourology and I would highly recommend that you see one of them for your problem. If you would like to make an appointment [for a second opinion], please call us at (1-800-653-6568). We can also arrange local accommodations through this number if this is your need. Please bring any x-rays [and pathology slides] (not just the reports) as well as any physicians’ notes and lab test results that you may be able to obtain. These will help us greatly.
HFHS M.D.-SAL
*Keyword: Neurogenic Bladder
