Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

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Another bladder question

brianap
brianap
a few months ago I posted about having a hard time holding things when I need to go and am in line to use a toilet. Never an issue at night. Urge incontinence I think it is called. After meeting with the women's pelvic health clinic, it was determined that is was not MS related and seems to be what I call 'mental urge incontinence' and some mind tricks seem to help a little.

But last night something different happened. I woke up to use the bathroom and my underwear were damp. just a little. I went to the bathroom, changed my underwear, and back to bed. This morning, we went out to breakfast. I thought I's use the restroom before we sat down, even though I didn't feel strongly I needed to, and when I did, I found my underwear were damp again. I did not notice and have not had an issue with leaking at all in the past. Bending over, coughing, jumping jacks etc are not a problem. Everything in that area is normal, no numbness or anything. I have been doing pelvic floor exercises and at the clinic they were impressed with the control I could have of my pelvic floor muscles.

Does anyone have information on what is going on? Does it sound neurologically caused? I did have reg coffee yesterday, and at breakfast, but I was sure to drink water with it to dilute it. I do know it has irritated me a bit in the past, but it has never caused leaking, just frequency issues.

Thanks for any information.
ezone
ezone
I seem to have a problem when I am coming home and am getting ready to unlock the door, would you believe? Part of it is I have delayed going to the backroom for a while and by the time I get home, my muscles have a hard time holding it in. I usually just barely make it to the bathroom. So I have determined that I need to make an effort when I am out and about and not delay going to a bathroom.

I do not know anything about a Women's Pelvic Health Clinic. I wouldn't think that they know anything about bladder issues in regards to MS. It is a real MS thing. Most of the local people I know with MS see a urologist. Part of the problems is bladder infections.

My problem is spastic bladder so I have to go often. I know a women who does work for 3-4 other women with MS (all in their 40s and 50s) and we all have to go often to the bathroom (every hour or two). The woman (who is in her 60s) never has to go in the 4 hours she works for me. Obviously the MS is a problem for us.

I have taken dicyclomine for a stomach problem I had years ago and it seems to help with bladder spasticity as well.

I am finally going to see a urologist soon. In fact, I am going to make an appointment this coming week because it is time I have a regular urologist. I saw one about 9-10 years ago to learn how to cath myself but I now need to see one about some other issues. I don't really have a problem with incontinence, just having to go often. That becomes a real pain in the neck.

Best of luck. Perhaps it is time to see a urologist. BTW, the leakage when you cough is a menopausal thing I think so since you are younger that is good it is not an issue. Most of the women I know past menopause have that issue. Whoopi Goldberg did a commercial about that.
deleted_user
deleted_user
With your MS, do you have any lesions on your spine? I have a significant one on my spine which is what causes my bladder issues. I can't remember the level on the spine, but there is a specific spot that will cause bladder problems if you have a lesion there. Continue all the other advice and exercises. Best of luck to you!!
Orsova
Orsova
My neurologist told me that bladder problems could be a result of Ms, and a specialist who recently did a colonoscopy on me said that Ms can really affect muscles which aid in bladder and bowel control. He advised me to see a physiotherapist for help with pelvic floor exercises, and while I am quite familiar with pelvic floor exercises, I am going to the physio because any thing which helps will be good.

When I first was dx I had to plan my day around toilet locations and my brother found a site on the net which shows where all the public toltets are!!! I dont have such a problem but still, control isn't what it was.
hmmmingbird
hmmmingbird
I wear a pad all the time. There are times when the flow starts without any warning and I can't stop it.
ezone
ezone
Orsoro, "My neurologist told me that bladder problems could be a result of Ms" sounds like your neurologist is not a specialist in MS. There is no "could be"l. It is definitely because of MS, I do believe.

I would think that almost all people with MS have bladder and bowel problems. That is how I self dx myself before I knew I had it. I got a book about MS and read that bladder and bowel problems are extremely common in MS. That confirmed the dx for me before I got my MRIs back.

Virtually all the people I know locally with MS (over 40) have bladder problems.

I do not know if I have plagues on my spine or not, (I have plenty on my brain), all I know is that I have a problem voiding. My problem is opposite of most of those with MS. I have had this problem since I was 12 and it only got worse over the last 40+ years. That is why I have to cath. Other people who have a problem with leakage, cath so they can empty their bladder before going out or whatever.

So bladder issues are common with MS. Please get a book in the library or get in touch with the MS Society (1-800-FIGHT-MS) and ask about their lending library. They have booklets about bladder and bowel problems. They have teleconferences on this topic.