update on urodynamics test

[Tiredofbeingnumb]

I want to thank those of you that responded to my question about urodynamics last week. I had the appointment today and it was...interesting. Not really painful, but certainly not comfortable either. I want to give a word of advice to others that may need this procedure...eat first! About the only emotion I get that doesn't make me want to eat is nervousness, so I didnt eat any breakfast before my appointment.  My appointment was at 10 this morning, so I got up and went. I should have eaten something! I am probably the only person out there who can manage to nearly pass out laying down! lol. I think it is called...what, the vagal response? I got dizzy, woozy, and broke out in a clammy sweat. The feeling of the catheter was just so...weird! The Dr said that some people are more sensitive to procedures being done, uh, yeah! lol. I used to get that "about to pass out feeling" when I got my blood drawn. We were well into the test and I was getting sweaty and dizzy and thinking,I'm not going to be able to finish this! But she gave me some Sprite and I felt better.

Anyways, medically, I am a mess. I have an overactive bladder coupled with strong pelvic floor contractions, which makes it really hard for me to urinate. They were actually concerned that the pressure my bladder was creating would lead to a backflow of urine to the kidneys (because my pelvic floor muscles weren't letting the urine out). So I got a medication for overactive bladder, as well as I was taught how to cath myself. That will surely be a relief to me, so I won't have to spend an hour on the toilet every morning, but it just stinks that I am going to be 30 (tomorrow!!) and I have to do this. Living with MS stinks!!!

I guess at least this is a symptom that is manageable. Plus, I am leaving in a few minutes to go to the beach, to celebrate my birthday. I am so glad that we were transferred closer to my family (we are in the navy) so that I can enjoy time with them, even when I want to just throw a giant pity party for 1. No time to do that..gotta celebrate  my birthday!

Anyways, I hope everyone enjoys this beautiful spring weekend, I know I am going to! :)

[Tiredofbeingnumb]

Thanks guys for the support, and for the birthday wishes. I am definitely going to enjoy this weekend, despite my MS issues. Time to celebrate!

LoveMyBostons: the whole procedure isn't too bad, it is just weird. It is a weird feeling having a catheter in you. But it definitely gives you relief! I had the exact same problem as you. I went to the appointment with a full bladder, and urinated inside this toilet thingy that measures how much you go. When I went, I thought I was empty, I didn't have to go anymore, and then she stuck the catheter in me, and had to fill 2 cups full that apparently I still had in me! So my problem number one: I'm not emptying all of the way. Then they stick a catheter inside and fill the bladder up with saline, and ask to let her know when I get the urge to go. The little graph showed beautifully that when my bladder contracts, so do my pelvic muscles. The concern was that I have a very high bladder pressure, that the bladder is trying to overcome the pressure my muscles are exerting, so the potential there is for a backflow of urine towards my kidnesy. Eek! So I am supposed to cath morning and night (go like normal during the day) and take a medication for overactive bladder, to settle it down. I am also going for an ultrasound next week to make sure my kidneys and bladder are normal. Fun.

So, sticking the catheter in isn't exactly fun, but I sure do get a lot of relief! And like Ess says, hopefully I'll get better. I am sure (both the technician and dr said this is common in spinal cord injuries and MS) that this is an MS problem, and I've recovered fully from most of my MS symptoms, so I am hopeful that I will recover from this. And even if not, well, at least this symptom can be treated. Interestingly enough, the tech said that if I had had children (I don't have any) I would probably be incontinent instead of having the issue I do have. I don't plan on having children, so in a weird way at least this is a plus.

Thanks Lulu, for your support. I am not going to cath myself until I get back to the comfort and privacy of my own home (and bathroom). I can still go, and I don't think 2 more days are going to hurt. I have all of the supplies with me in case I absolutely can't go to the bathroom, but I think I'll be ok until Sunday.

Thanks everybody! Off to enjoy the beautiful beach weekend!

[essdipity]

I'm one who no longer has to cath. That could change again, of course, but so far so good. My bladder was really stretched as well, and I also had an enormous volume after I had supposedly emptied. Hah.

Cathing really isn't awful, once you get used to it. For me, I'd rather do that than put one more med in my system.

Happy b'day, Tired!

ess

[LoveMyBostons]

Thanks for posting this! I'll be 29 in a couple of weeks and I'm having bladder trouble too. I'm going in for urodynamics testing on the 29th. I'm nervous about what they will find, especially because the last time I went in and thought I was "empty" they discovered I had 400 CC's of urine in there (about 13 ounces)!! I'm hoping that meds will be suggested before catherization. I was wondering if ISC is a life-long thing so thanks Lulu for explaining that too.

Hope you have a Happy Birthday!!

[Lulu54]

I think I remember 30 - well, sort of......... happy birthday to you!  

As the poster girl for ISC, let me tell you it will make all the difference for you - it is liberating to no longer worry about where you will find the next restroom or when you will need to go.  Feel free to PM me if you have questions.  

my urogyno tells me that sometimes this is a temporary need and the neurological problem with the bladder will change for many people.  Unfortunately for me it appears it isn't going to get better - perhaps it will for you.  

best, Lu

[rendean]

Happy Birthday!!! Glad you are able to get away to celebrate!

Sorry about the urodynamic results. I , too, have strong bladder tone but my guy wanted to insert an InterStim, uhhh, no thanks no surgery for me when you haven't even tried meds. Your doc sounds like he's on the ball and the self-cathing should be welcome relief to the problems you were having.

Celebrate this milestone birthday with gusto, you've earned it!!

Best wishes,
Ren

[supermum_ms]

Hey there, Happy Birthday!!!

Grummy about the bladder, not sure what to say, bummer!

Hope you enjoy your birthday at the beach :-)

Cheers........JJ