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my only option to avoid catheterization

gbugg7777
gbugg7777
I was just wodering how many men or maybe women have to use a disposible urinal so they can empty their bladder completely. What i mean exactly is i have to lay down on my left side and gently tap my bladder in order to empty my bladder 100%. I make sure to GENTLY tap so no urine backs up into the kidneys . Doing this allows me to avoid using a catheter many times every day. When I use public restrooms during the day I can only empty my bladder maybe 70-80% of the way. Is this somewhat normal for people with MS. I can't be the only one that uses this technique I have never had a bladder infection during my 5-10 years with MS I dirnk close to a gallon of water every day if I drink less than a gallon of water I feel dehydrated I can't beleive I'm writing about this my best friends don't even know i have to this. But I figure what the hick were all anonymous .. GOD MS SUCKS but i guess life could be worse
lchoppel
lchoppel
I'm surprised you haven't received any comments on this post. Don't be embarassed, there has been a many post on the same subject. None of are embarassed by discussing personal matters like this.

I have never tried this technique. It sounds rather drastic to empty your bladder. Being a woman, I would wonder how this would work for me. I often think I still have to pee even after I pee, so I wonder if I'm not emptying my bladder all the way, but I live with it.
brianap
brianap
Haven't tried that technique, but whatever works for you. And hopefuly will help you avoid catheterization. I'm not near that yet, but I do find when I go and am done, I sit- I'm a girl-and wait to gao again right away. Then I wait and I usually can still go again. I don't know if i"m completely emptying with this method, but I have not had a UTI in awhile. I know it is not good, but I do avoid too much hydration if I am going to be out and about.
ricanfemale30
ricanfemale30
Whatever whatever works first udo it..I have not had the misfortune of catheterization but I needed the patch to regulate my bladder one time..other than that I have a chronic UT which sux I just drink cranberary juice n water.aside from that I have to pee lik8times a day ...no fun but I'm sure I'm doin suttin wrong..my neuro says its just the Ms messing with my bladder function geez great right..catheterization increases chances of infection. So if u found out a way to get around it awesome!!
marilyn4342
marilyn4342
At my near appt yesterday, the doctor suggested catheterization. I said NO! I go to the bathroom at least 20 times a day. He said those drugs advertised on T.V. Won't work for me. Boo Hoo! I wish that I could do what you are doing!
Punky1
Punky1
I have heard about people getting botox injections in there bladder. I know nothing about it so maybe research that to see if that could be an option.
ezone
ezone
I am a woman and no I never have tried to pee lying on my side. Never could do this. I have to use a catheter in order to pee on the commode. Can't eliminate otherwise 95% of the time. So after you become uncomfortable enough, you will learn how to cath for those of you who don't empty enough. Even for those who can pee and pee involuntarily, cathing helps them to empty their bladder completely so that they won't have to go when they go outside the house.

I use a catheter every day all day and take it everywhere. If on occasion I can pee on my own, I never empty completely and feel uncomfortable almost right away. So cathing is the only option every day.

I do get a UTI occasionally but not that often. I try to be very clean about it. I use the cath over and over again.

But there is a drug for spastic bladder to make you have to go less often but my doc doesn't want me to add yet another drug to the mix. I don't remember the drug offhand, but if I find it I will let you know.

When I was trying to decide if I had MS or not and I picked up a book about MS and saw that we had bowel and bladder issues, I knew that I had MS!! So I am comfortable talking about it. Some docs (or residents) are not as comfortable about it as I am. But you get used to it. But I can easily cath and don't have to have anyone else do it for me. That helps a lot.

Thanks for the information. It is always interesting to hear about others experiences.