Multiple Sclerosis :: Incontinence - Start Losing Control Of My Bladder
Oct 6, 2014
I'm a newbie and this is my first post to the MS board. I've been lurking here for years and I finally am reaching out to try to help find support and guidance from people who may be suffering like me.
I have not been diagnosed with MS, but it's definitely now becoming an area in which I'm exploring the possibilities that it could be. I have an abundance of symptoms and I will be posting a more detailed post on those symptoms once I get it written up.
In the meantime, has or does anyone know if this could be a symptom of MS or have those who are dx with MS ever have this happen to you?
It appears that I have "flare ups" that seem to appear every few weeks and other flare ups that occur every few months. Meaning I start having marked increase in my symptoms such as pain, cognitive, depression, etc., but also urinary incontinence. What happens is I will be fine with the bladder issues for weeks or a few months. Then when I have a flare up with say increased pain, I will start losing control of my bladder. It will happen day or night and can last for a couple of days or a couple of weeks. I will literally stand up to go pee and it just starts to flow heavily like a faucet where I'm standing. I know I'm peeing and I can't stop it at all. Not even like a little dripping, it's complete emptying of my bladder like a faucet on the spot. It has woken me up and I find myself standing at my bedroom door not able to move and urinating myself. It's an awful feeling. It's happened at my friends backyard so it doesn't matter where I am. However, it can then go away and I think, ok maybe I was just not feeling well. But now that it's happened a couple of times over the last year and reading about urinary incontinence, I'm curious if anyone else has experienced something like this? Then I could be fine for weeks or months until another flare up develops and it may happen again. Sometimes my flare ups don't result in incontinence and maybe effects something else like my ability to form sentences or finding words or stuttering a bit. And other times I get incontinence too.
View 2 Replies
Advertisement
My mom (40-50yrs) has had MS for about 13 years now. She has had muscle spasms for a while now, but medication would usually help. I know infections, colds, and any other types of illnesses will make them flare up, but lately the muscle spasms don't stop with the meds. They have gotten so bad that her knees get sprained, from time to time. The doctors push for baclofen but she took that for 8 years and doesn't help her anymore. She is currently taking tiZANidine which helped for the last couple of years but no longer. At the emergency room they have also given her volume and tried morphine but they don't help either. Anybody Using something for severe muscle spasms or have some routine or method of getting rid of them that might help?
View 2 Replies
I am 50, male, and I have been poorly for a few weeks following a severe UTI, although I feel much better now than I was. Without going into the whole story, the pain I had was so sudden and severe that I had to be taken to A&E in an ambulance. I wondered if I had kidney stones, but I've now had a follow-up ultrasound scan of my kidneys and abdomen and this was clear. Had already had PSA blood test back in June which was also OK, so I don't think it is my prostate. I have no idea how the infection occurred and it is seems as if it was just one of those things.
I do have overactive bladder and occasional urge incontinence but I have never had a UTI before.
Other pre-existing conditions are high blood pressure, overweight and high cholesterol, also history of peptic ulcers and duodenitis, as well as mental health issues, but nothing you would think would cause this specific condition.
I just wondered if anyone out there reading this post have had something similar or can help. I know UTIs are rare in men & I don't think I've quite got to the bottom of things yet. Has anyone else had any other tests other than ultrasound, and I wondered if they revealed anything more?
View 2 Replies
I have been suffering from urinary incontinence for a few months. I was given blood tests, which came back clear, although one showed a slight problem with my kidneys. I had a bladder scan and this showed that my bladder is working okay, but is taking a while to fill. My doctor has never examined me, she justs asks me what's wrong and recommends medication. I told her that I have pain in my pelvis and groin area. She said okay I'll prescribe you detrusitol and wear a pad and we'll see how it goes. Does anyone have any idea what might be causing the incontinence. I'm only 39 and male and I am generally quite fit. I worry about people being able to see my pad and this is really getting me down. The incontinence happens nearly every night and sometimes during the day. The idea of being on medication and wearing pads for a lengthy period is making me anxious and depressed.
View 6 Replies
I have overactive bladder and have had problems for years; I take oxybutynin which was helping quite a lot but since I've been having some other gynae problems the incontinence has become much worse again in the last few weeks/months. I'm waiting for tests at the moment so hoping this will give me more idea what I can do long term but in the meantime, trying to adjust to dealing with the wetting accidents again and manage it as best I can.
View 12 Replies
I was sent to gynae as a scan showed I had a small ovarian cyst but I have also been experiencing bladder problems. Saw specialist today who is now referring me to gynae/urology specialist (so another appointment to wait for). Can anyone help with general advice for OAB? I have downloaded some bladder training stuff and I have been given some medication to help in the interim while waiting for next appt. I am worried about the pain I have every time I need to go to the loo - is this a common symptom? I have also been told to use painkillers on a regular basis (every 6 hours) to combat this.
View 12 Replies
Ok ladies how soon after did you all start your labor after you lost your mucus plug?
View 16 Replies
Since August of 2013 I have had 6/7 bladder infections. I have lost around 30 pounds without changing much about my diet or exercising more regularly. I have been experiencing pain in my lower back on the left side and want to know if it should be something I should be concerned with. I have had bad back pain for around 2 years now but this pain is a little more specific. August was the first time I have had a bladder infection however when i was 16 (21 now) when I went in for a physical and was told I had a bladder infection. I didn't feel any pain so I didn't take the medicine prescribed. I went in to see a doctor when I was overseas for another bladder infection and they took an X-ray of my kidneys about 3 weeks ago and they didn't find anything. They told me that I did have a problem emptying my bladder. I had an ultrasound done and had to drink water before hand and when I emptied my bladder the ultrasound after my bladder was still full. I don't remember exactly what they called it. I just finished a month long round of antibiotics for a bladder infection and it is still not gone. Before this medication about a week before I was on a week long medicine for a bladder infection and it returned a week later.
View 1 Replies
It all started with the feeling of hot water being poured on my right foot. Started out slowly, then became very frequent and has slowly gotten better - now I only feel a sensation of "heat" pressing on my right foot occasionally. The worst of it lasted nearly 8 months. During that time I also had a worsening of many other symptoms such as: fatigue, horrible tremors, dizziness, nausea (from the dizziness), brain fog, chronic headaches/migraines, weakness in my entire right side, thighs that twitch and "pop" when I get warm, severe muscle cramping, vision changes also when I am warm, and urinary frequency problems. I say worsening because I have had some of these symptoms for years and just blew them off. In fact, I had a period of time about 20 years ago when I believe I was having something like the "ms hug" (really sever and unexplained pain in my ribs), as well as a hot feeling on half of my face, and my neurologist at that time said "you probably have some autoimmune disease that will show up later in life". I've had chronic daily headache and migraines for more than 20 years, and an essential tremor for about 10 years that has worsened lately. I also have an unrelated autoimmune disease, which I have been told makes it more likely that I have another (but which one?!). MS was suspected so...
I've been seeing a neurologist (and a PCP and a rheumatologist) for these symptoms for a while now and feel like I've had every test under the sun. I've had a normal cbc, sed rate, hemoglobin, basic metabolic panel, tsh, b12, all kinds of vitamin and mineral levels, folate, lyme test, MRI of brain and lumbar spine, MRI of brain, and an EMG. I have not had a c-spine MRI and wondering if there is a reason it was not included in these tests. So far the only thing that has come back was a positive ANA (which I believe is from my other autoimmune thing) and a low vitamin D (23), which fell from a level of 58 in under a year. I've been supplementing for more than 4 months. My neuro did not think that ALL of my symptoms could be from the D. Some, perhaps, but not all. Why does he think this, I don't know!
I recently finished a taper of prednisone and feel like the "fog" has lifted, like my brain is working again - hooray. My main symptoms now seem to be fatigue (it's insane), urinary problems, and some newer problems with my left foot (not the foot I was originally having problems with) - where it will cramp up for days and days (two and a half weeks one time), just like a never ending cramp. When it's not cramping I get feelings of heat, or sometimes just a vibrating feeling. The cramping can be very painful, the "hot" feelings are just strange. I've also now started having problems with jumping/twitching muscles in my left hand and arm (different than my normal tremor). I continue to have some right-side weakness.
So I'm wondering, do these symptoms sound as though they could all be because of the vitamin d? I've got a month until I see the doctor again, and he has been trying to push some meds on me, but I wouldn't want to start something if it's all because of the D. Since supplementing, I have had some improvements in my cognitive symptoms, but not much else.
Lastly, my neuro said he may send me to an MS specialist for a second opinion if I am still having problems next month... but if my MRIs are all clean, then there surely must be a more likely explanation, right? I just don't know why he is so sure that the low d couldn't be causing everything. He said that it was very unlikely because my levels had previously been ok and the severity of my symptoms would more match someone who had been very deficient for a much longer time. Does that sound logical? Would an MS specialist be able to tell me anything new?
View 14 Replies
Hello everyone,
Back in March of this year I ended up heading to the emergency room for this strange numbness feeling that began in my hands and feet and then travelled throughout the rest of my body; it lasted about five or six days and then went away completely. I was in the hospital for four days and while I was there I had a CT, lumbar puncture, and an MRI of my brain, all of which were normal. I ended up with a diagnosis of 'post-viral acroparasthesia' and was told that I would be fine.
However, this numbness came back again a couple weeks later. I went back to the emergency room and they said that it wasn't that out of the ordinary for this happen again but gave me a referral to a neurologist who then ordered three more tests: 1) peripheral nerves, 2) evoked potentials, and 3) an MRI of my spine. I've done the peripheral nerve test and that was normal and I have to wait a bit to go to the other tests. I've also had my blood tested for pretty much everything and it's all been normal.
But throughout all the months that I've been waiting to follow-up with the neuro, the numbness as well as some other strange symptoms keep coming out of nowhere (seemingly) and going away. I get really bad tension headaches, lightheadedness, numbness and tingling, fatigue, frequently urinating (sometimes I wake up four times throughout the night), feel a massive brain fog, and more generally I just feel a great deal of malaise. I usually feel like this for four-five days in a row every couple of weeks and then feel completely fine.
These symptoms are pretty ambiguous but MS is something that I'm pretty worried about. My dad has it and is in the latter stages so the doctor's are considering it a possibility. I've seen quite a few doctors now and they haven't been able really figure this out. The most insightful thing that I have been told is that I could have some type of virus, which sometimes may last for a long period of time, and this might explain why I'm getting sick so frequently. I have just been told that I'm going to have to wait to see the neurologist and have anything neurological ruled out.
Whatever is wrong with me is very frustrating. I'm 22 years old working on my university degree and being sick so frequently has taken a huge tole on my academic performance. Also, financially I'm not doing so great and have been cycling through jobs...I mostly end up quitting or getting fired due to the fact that it's been very hard to work like this; it's really causing me a lot of stress.
Prior to all of this I have been quite healthy. I'm very athletic and go out of my way to eat healthy. I don't drink any alcohol, don't do any drugs, and quit smoking cigarettes back in January.
Anything to suggest? Whatever is happening to me is really messing up my life. I can't afford to be so sick all the time and I feel so desperate to know what's wrong.
View 4 Replies
I have noticed some symptoms that I have developed in recent years that I believe to be symptoms of MS. I am 62, female and concerned that I may have the disease. It's affecting my arm, hand and head and I didn't put it together until I went to a yoga class and it just came to me to check out the symptoms. I have been having tremors, spasms, sometimes painful, in my arm for a few years and it's gotten progressively worse. Last year I noticed my head would shake if my arm was in a certain position. I went to an orthopedist and he said it was due to an old cervical fracture so I let it go. I am going to see my primary doctor and ask for their opinion. But I would like to know if I'm too old to develop MS.
View 3 Replies
I am mid process during the diagnosis (I've had the MRI with and without contrast and get results Monday. I'm currently refusing LP and have the evoked potentials scheduled). If I were to be diagnosed (still hoping not) I have read a lot about being gluten free and that helping with symptoms. As a matter of fact, I may try it regardless of diagnosis to see if it helps. But, has anyone with MS tried it? Did it help?
View 4 Replies
I was recently referred to a new neurologist. I saw him this past Friday and really liked him. I have had a lot of test run at this point. Including brain MRI which shows what my doctor called one "MS" lesion and one "ischemic" lesion. I am so confused when it comes to lesions. My new neurologist is scheduling a lumbar puncture and will do a MS panel. He also ordered a copper level. Anyone know the reason behind this? I was curious...I don't think I have ever had a copper level done.
View 4 Replies
Just about every time I bend my neck forward I have pain that extends upward to the base of my skull and tingling up my head to envelope mostly the upper left side of my head. I am guessing I am having a relapse. I was unable to see my neurologist as its impossible to get in to see him for months. So a local clinic doctor gave me prednisone. So far it's the only thing helping. I have already been diagnosed with Ms but the only thing I have found is people speaking of Lhermitte's that run down the spine. Do I need a new MRI?
View 14 Replies
The neuro scrapped the bottom of my foot and could not get it to jump like it used to. he kept trying but nothing happened. I thought this was important but nothing was said and when I asked my physician, he said this was normal. what's it mean if the foot doesn't react?
View 2 Replies
Anyone else here experience extremely cold feet? Last night I was up till 3am because they felt so cold. When I feel them with my hands after repeatedly trying to warm them, they don't feel cold to the touch anymore but still feel cold... It got to the point last night where they were painful. They feel cold all day too though I'm able to ignore it somewhat when I'm walking around and doing other things. At night, it's not something I can ignore and it's keeping me awake. What do you do if you experience this? I should mention I've had numbness in my legs below the knee and feet for sometime now.
View 6 Replies
I was diagnosed with RRMS in 2000 in the middle of flare which caused numbness in my face and just a weird feeling when I walked. I have been fortunate not to have experienced too many problems aside from a couple of minor flares and the usual fatigue that goes along with MS.
Last week I was on my computer and all of a sudden I felt like I was not quite sure what was real...thoughts racing from one thing to another. I kept thinking of things and would immediately wonder if it happened. I finally decided to go the the ER. Doc did a neuro exam and said it was OK. I also thought I had a UTI but urine came back clear. He told me to go home and rest. The next morning when I talked to my daughter she said I sounded weird and it was taking me a long me to explain things. The MS nurse also said my speech seemed a little off and slow. Neurologist was out of town but when he came back he told her to call me to set up an EEG because it could have been a seizure. Since then my hand tremor has been more pronounced and weird little symptoms like twitches and sort of an internal tremor in my legs when I walk. I have the EEG next week and then will see my neuro.
I was just wondering else has had something similar. It was distressing to me because I can't really remember things I am usually right on top of; I couldn't remember my meds (I have a list at least). I felt like I lost time and was not sure how much.
View 11 Replies
Since doctors don't seem to want to help me figure out what's wrong, I'm trying to investigate my various symptoms to find potential diseases to rule out.
For the past two and a half years, I've had a problem with frequent urination. No incontinence of any kind, but I tend to pee on average 12-20 times a day. Sometimes I'll be up one or two times at night, sometimes more and sometimes not at all. I DO drink quite a bit of fluid. I tend to average 50-100+ ounces of fluid a day. Usually once a day I'll have a cup of tea, but I don't drink a ton of coffee or any soda at all. I am always thirsty, feel dehydrated all the time, mouth is dry, lips are chapped, light headed and dizzy often, even on the days I'm drinking 100+ ounces of water. I work in an office and don't do anything strenuous that results in sweating. When I do pee, sometimes it's only ten or fifteen minutes before I have to go again. Most of the time, I'm producing a full volume of pee, almost never is it just a few drops or a little bit. My urinalysis and cultures come back normal.
Went to the gynecologist today, he said my bladder is working fine and that when I pee, I am emptying my bladder all the way. His suggestion was to drink less. I'm thinking a 31 year old woman who does not have diabetes or a UTI that's lasted for 2.5 years shouldn't not only have this constant need to pee, but also this constant need to drink and feeling of dehydration. I went to a neuroendocrinologist because I truly believe with my other symptoms, I have some kind of pituitary problem going on (Cushings and/or GHD) but he laughed and blew me off because Hey, it's rare, therefore you don't have it.
Should I ask my PCP about looking into MS? In addition to the frequent urination, I have a great deal of cognitive issues (memory loss / retention problems, concentration problems, shortened attention span, sometimes can't speak properly), depression and anxiety, eye issues (wicked light sensitive, blurry vision, hurts to look up or to the sides), stiff and painful joints and muscles, muscle weakness, occasional tingling in hands or feet, INCREDIBLY fatigued, dizziness and lightheadedness, vertigo, occasional balance issues, and trembling / vibrations in body.
View 10 Replies
First off my name's Katherine and my mother has Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. and I'm here on her behalf. She's in a wheelchair and in a nursing home. She's of sound mind but here lately she seems to be getting a cold and fever every month or so. I know those with MS has very week immune systems and have a hard time fighting off simple colds . My question is what are some good vitamins to help her keep from getting sick as much?
View 10 Replies
I am sitting at work, like always, when all of a sudden.... inside my head (in the top, middle, and behind my forehead) I began to feel what seemed to be a muscle spasm. What? Rationalizing, I think... Our brains are muscles. Right? So it could be a muscle spasm. Whoa... I feel dizzy and lightheaded for a little bit. Now, I feel like my head is full (stuffed full) of cotton or something. It isn't in my ears. It wasn't my eyes. It was "in my head". WOW.
I experienced this sensation of by brain shaking that was followed by dizziness. The "brain shake" felt like a jolt and then vibration/spasm that lasted about 5 seconds. I feel like the room is spinning and tilting and I was about to fall over (even though I was sitting down). The dizziness lasted about 2 minutes or so. The weird feeling of fullness in my head is still there.
View 3 Replies
Hi 31 yo female here! In march my Vitamin d was at 10. The DR told me 5000iu daily d3 until further notice.
One month ago I went to ER and DR for nuerological prolems. Pins and Needles in my extremities that radiate up from feet. Since then it sometimes affects my head and rib areas. I have had a tightness in my ribs that was painful a few times. Trouble with speech, focusing, walking, feet heaviness (after a long day of work), extreme fatigue, migraines (4 in a timeline of 2 weeks), muscle spasms, sharp pains in my head and lower back.
My primary physician referred me to a nuerologist and he has been testing me for MS and TIA, I had 2 MRIS 2 CT scans nerve test all normal, tested for lupus ect. Next week I"ll have blood results from vitamin d (6 months ago 10) again, b12 (6 months ago normal) again, cooper, choloestrol panel (6 months ago 132)
I can't go on like this. I have responsibilities. I need answers! Please sugs!
View 1 Replies
