Have you called your Doctor and asked to check for a Urinary Tract infection? Sometimes the only symptom is going to the bathroom a lot more than normal and no pain with it.

Honey, with alot of MS patients we go that much if noy more. I told my primary and she had me tested and I had a UTI and was given meds and it went away and I still went 50 times a day even after the Doctor said it was gone. UTI's are predictably normal for alot of MS'ers. Call your doctor and get checked.

Long before there was a dx, there were UTIs all the time. Not emptying the bladder totally seemed to progresively be the problem. I was told that at some point there might be a self-cath waiting for me, but I am just fine with running to the bathroom, going before I leave the house, knowing where all the bathrooms on every route are. Doesn't seem to have alot to do with how much I consume, some days are just worse than others. And there is also the good part that it isn't, I know it's gross, your bowels, which is also a possibilty. You might want to try an over the counter called Prelief, my doctor told me about it and it can work. But do find out about the UTI to start.

With my MS, I constantly have bladder issues. Today, I've been very discouraged at the amount of times I have had to go to the restroom. I counted every ten minutes. It's hard to work when I go like this.

I had Urodynamics in December and was told my bladder issue is due to the MS. I was prescribed Enablex but have been very stubborn about taking it.

To answer your question, yes, bladder issues are one of the big problems for MS. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news!

Coffee does that to me whereas Coke or other liquids do not ~ I've just assumed it's a stronger diuretic than others ...

I believe this is a common thing (roids or no roids); my husband has to go 10 times more often than he used to.

One of the MSers here advised leaning forward while you pee (not sure if this is the same for men!). This ensures the bladder is as empty as possible.
I do that but I still have a mental map of every public toilet in the city when I go out!

Orsova, you make me laugh w/ your 'mental map' comment.

I've learned some Pavlov response when it comes to peeing ~ if I'm away from home, I can go hours w/out peeing, but the minute you put me on my front porch, I gotta go, & I gotta go BAD!

This can also be a diabetes symptom. Since you have both you should probably call your doctor.

Take care,
Neener

Sorry to hear about your bladder issues. It can be frustrating.

The bladder becomes flacid and is why it is difficult to completly empty.

I am male and will press on my bladder to help empty. This is done sitting or standing. Sitting works best. It does take me longer to go but my bladder is emptied.

I have bladder issues and take Enablex. This has helped but will still have urgency and cramping feelings.

I started taking LDN (still on Enablex) in Jan. and noticed I'm able to manage better. I now only get up once if at all in the middle of the night. There are other posts regarding LDN helping bladder issues.

As others have said, check for a urinary tract infection first as this will cause all sorts of issues including urgency & frequency.
I wear pads as often I cant get to the toilet in time.

As a Lot of other said before lot of MSer's have problem check with neuro be they had me refered to urologist who said common and my at some time have to self cath but they first ran every test in the world on my little friend and a few are no picnic.

I can relate to your bladder issues 100%. I am on Detrol La but I found FOR ME once I upped my vitamin D my bladder is not giving me as many problems.

Good Luck,
Sharon

Thanks to all for your replies. I am thankful I don't have to rush to the bathroom or have a problem with going on myself or anthing like that, I am scrapping the positive out of the situation.

This is called urinary urgency/frequency and is a common MS problem. I have dealt with this on and off and it was really annoying for a long time - not so bad now.

You should avoid things like coffee because they'll make you pee even more.

I had to go to a urologist (UGH) for this problem and it was decided that is was from the MS and deemed a "neurogenic bladder".

I was given no treatments - just told to watch what I drink and when (don't drink anything a couple of hours before you go to bed).

There are also medications for this to slow it down. I've never taken these medications but I hear they are helpful for some people with MS.

Best of luck & do not freak out!

hope4acure