More testing...

[myshoeisonfire]

is the never ending quest to find out about MS, ive been diagnosed with "Possible MS"
they had me go see a urologist due to some bladder control issues, and numbness / lack of sensation

they did a urodynamics test.. used a couple different catheters, inserted in various areas...
then did the thing where they fill the bladder up with salene, till you feel like you really have to go...

they had me stand up, and attempt to urinate into this contraption, but I wasn't able to!
they said usually they leave the room for this part, but I am not able to stand on my own very well... so she stayed in there, and helped me stand up... I'm glad they didn't leave the room though!!!

... I started feeling weird... and i guess i passed out... they pulled out all the tubes and wires... and next thing i remember, I was flat on my back on the table...

they came in a few minutes later, and said they were finished with testing...  what worried me, is they spent about 10 minutes filling my bladder, and I wasn't able to urinate.. and had no urge to go....

it took me about 20 minutes to get back to a "normal" state and feel well enough to make my way back into my chair, and into the bathroom.. I was able to go when i got in there...

im due back next week, ans they're going to insert some cameras i guess and have a look around.. then give the results at that time...

the catheters weren't really a big deal...I thought they would be a lot worse... so it wasn't pain...  but then again, I do have a lack of feeling and sensitivity... so maybe there was pain i wasn't feeling? I mean it wasn't pleasant.. but i was able to carry on a conversation during the process...

plus I don't pass out! EVER!!
the only time its happened before is when i crashed my stand-up scooter, and skidded on my face at 30 mph...
then i was fine till i looked i the mirror...and saw how messed up i was!!

with this testing, I kinda got freaked out when I tried to urinate, and nothing happened... maybe that combined with seeing all the tubes and wires did something?

I wasn't expecting there was any chance of it happening (passing out), and I really freaked out I guess...
I wish they had told me in advance it might happen! would have made things easier!


but this leaves me with 2 questions...

1) is it "normal" to not be able to void (pee) during this test?

2) and is it "normal" to pass out??

anyone else have a weird experience with these tests?


thanks!!!!

[Ricobord]

That's good news that it didn't happen the second time. Sorry about the autonomic dysreflexia. If it's not one thing, it's another.

[myshoeisonfire]

when i went back to get he Bladder Botox Procedure done.. I didnt pass out.. but I now have to deal with Autonomic Dysreflexia...

that started getting pretty bad during the procedure.. but luckily they were quick and got everything taken out before it got outta control!!

[Ricobord]

You must be relieved to be able to start treatment! While a diagnosis of MS isn't great, finally getting an answer is!

In just reading through the old comments on this thread, I thought I'd suggest that your fainting was related to your very full bladder. It could have been irritating your vagus nerve, resulting in fainting.  The generic term is vasovagal syncope. The specific instance of fainting while straining to urinate is called micturition syncope.

http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=9308

There are several possible triggers of a vasovagal syncope. It is triggered in me when I get anesthetic in my eyes. It can be triggered in some people by stress or strong emotions. Some even have defecation syncope where they pass out after a bowel movement or a digital rectal exam (don't we all love those!).  It just depends on where or how the vagus nerve is getting overstimulated.

Since it happened to you once, it could possibly happen again. Something to remember next time a health professional wants to fill up your bladder.  Also, you might not want to let your bladder to get too full, which may be challenging given your numbness.

I hope your treatments helps!

[myshoeisonfire]

well... ive finally beem diagnosed and theyre starting me on REBIF!!!

found me a neurologist with his head screwed on straight!!!

[tingletingle]

Hey man,

Thanks for the update.Yes, I feel your numbness and sense of frustration. I wish to jolly neuro could too.

Hopefully, he might be man enough to say sorry next time you see him but then I guess he'd feel obliged to give you a refund.

Good luck coping with yet another test. MRI should be a snap compared to what you've had already.

Blessings
Alex

[myshoeisonfire]

oh, and they're doing an MRI of lower back to try and figure out the numbness issues.. or at least see whats going on.....
because its getting REALLY FRUSTRATING!! numbness and lack of sensation is ... umm.... well.. lets just say being a guy.. this isn't acceptable!!!

[myshoeisonfire]

well.. the urologist found some issues!! so maybe we can work back from there... have some retention, as well as overactivity..? the bladder muscle tries to react all the time i guess....

all I know is if I can stop pis sing my pants.. that'd be good!!

almost passed out again today after my appointment..it was about an hour after I left, I went to the bathroom, and started feeling faint again... didnt pass out though..

they were poking around in there with the camera....  its weird, cause I dont have any pain when they put in the catheters.....  
maybe there's pain that I cant feel, that my body is reacting to?? I dunno..

were trying meds for now, and going to keep an eye on the retention.... but more than likley im going to have to start self-cath on a daily basis....

TAKE THAT NEUROLOGISTS!!! see something IS wrong!!

to me, bad news, is good news!~!

[myshoeisonfire]

I guess I've never really understood that...Not sure why it matters who's around..  But I know other guys that have said something about it... Seems weird to me!

All I know is it was like the same problem I've been experiencing when by myself...
Who knows!

I'll find out what they say about it on Wednesday when I go back!

[Sailorsong]

You're experience didn't deter me in my quest for answers to my problems. Like you I want answers! My main problem is with leaking which is causing me other problems. But I figure that after having my female PC checking my privates I could handle this. Well at least if no one is around while I was voiding that is. :)

That is a good point about the tubes being their while trying to void. You might be right on that point. But I still think on a subconscious level having the woman their might also had an effect on the voiding. So between the two it could have been why you couldn't void.

Dennis

[SarahL2491]

Wow, you like to be the exception!  Passing out is never a good thing.
Catheters in several places.....ugh, you had the full blown version of the test.......heard that one is seldom done....

Camera will help them figure out what is going on and isn't any more painful than catheters, they are so tiny these days.  You do need answers

Guess it varies from person to person, but in my nursing career have actually had to hold the urine bottle for some guys to pee into.....sigh........nurses have "seen it all" at one time or another...........(grin)

Hope you get some answers to solve your problem!  Keep us posted as we all learn from these sharing experiences.

[Lulu54]

welcome back, then! I was just typing you a message of 'welcome.'  I hope you stick around and share more of your questions and experiences.

[Lulu54]

The passing out would definitely NOT be a side effect of this test.  Was it possible you had a decrease in blood pressure when you stood up that caused the fainting spell?  There should be a better explanationto what happend during this process.  good luck with the next round of tests.
-L

[myshoeisonfire]

lol thanks :^) ive been on the forums before... I had them change my username - didnt realize there were public forums!! and my user name was my actual name!! (oops!!)

figured my pic should represent my sense of humor  :^)
thats a pic of me though!!

[myshoeisonfire]

yea it was weird.... i dont really care about having another person there in front of me.. but this is part of my problem... not being able to go.. and / or not having enough pressure.. or however you'd say that...

i think the doctor was trying to pass it off as the whole bashfulness thing... lol but I REALLY DONT CARE.... I just want to find out whats causing the problems!!

I was trying to go, and wasnt holding it at all.. but then again trying to void with tubes in there *may* have had something to do with it :^)

    don't let me discourage you too much if you haven't had the testing done.. ive never experienced catheters before this.. and people made them sound a lot worse than they really are...  i think people confuse discomfort and awkwardness for pain sometimes...

it can defiantly be strange having other people handling your nether-regions.. and inserting and removing things.. but honestly when you get down to it.. the level of ACTUAL pain is way less than you'd think...when you take away all the weirdness and absurdity of the situation :^)

I do have a lot of numbness and lack of feeling down there, maybe it helped? but who knows!

but the whole passing out thing.. yea... i dont deal with that very well... especially when i had no idea it was even a remote possibility! I guess I was freaking out a bit...

slowly fading out, hearing and vision going away.. light headedness... I can deal with almost anything, and almost any amount of pain...
but everyone has their weaknesses!!  for me, its earthquakes, and now I can add passing out to the list!! LOL


if anyone is going to get the test done, and is nervous about it, feel free to PM, or email me, and I can let ya know the whole process.. hopefully put your mind at ease :^)

[Sailorsong]

As another male with bladder problems I can't agree more with Alex.  I have not had that test done either but will be pressing my PC about getting it done when I see her later this month.

I know I wouldn't be ab;e to void with a woman in the room myself. In fact when I was married I couldn't go if my wife was in the room with me, so a woman that I didn't know forget about getting anything out.

Hope they get things figured out soon for you.

Dennis

[tingletingle]

Hey, a very warm welcome to you Mr myshoeisonfire

I love the name and photo.

I have had bladder issues but never attempted the test you've had but found your commentary engaging and disturbing all in one.

Probably wouldn't think the docs would expect a pass out as normal for anything other than anathesia. Well done on keeping it together with wires, tubes, and even having to pee in front of a female stranger. If it was me under those conditions I would fail every time.

So big brownie points from me. I really hope they can get to the bottom of your bladder issues. good to see another bloke around the forum.

Blessings
Alex