bladder :s

[esalcido]

Hello peeps!!! My bladder issues have been non treatable! First urgency and now it's both, urgebcy and incontinence. I'm just wondering if most of you out there deal with this issue...i know 80% of people with MS have issues at some point but I guess I just want to hear from you guys...I'm just a little frustrated...thanks!!!

[Jeannietw6]

Yes! It's not like pain we can hide so mentally it takes a toll too. My neurologist told me an exercise to help and it has but like you mentioned, the urgency makes me unable to do the exercises often. She told me to stop the stream when I'm going. Then start. Then stop and so on. After doing it for awhile I gained some semblance of control over it. I hope this helps and make sure to tell your doctor every visit as there are some "work-arounds."

[esalcido in reply to Jeannietw6]

Thanks Jeannie! I will try the exercise. We will see...anything to help it

[gilly57]

Hi. Sounds like I'm a bit further down the road than you. It's THE worst aspect of MS for me. Have used all the meds to help but eventually had BOTOX injections in the bladder which were marvellous! Had about 3 months of no issues wee -wise but had UTIs that led to relapse that was serious and left me lot less mobile and with worsened eyesight in one eye. SO...... I haven't had a repeat dose of the Botox and I'm back to "managing" my bladder. I do use pads 24 hours though and as yet haven't had a public drama! Plenty in private! I would recommend the Botox but keep dip testing for UTIs as you don't get the symptom of incontinence to warn you you're carrying one. Hope my story helps in some way! X

[esalcido]

Well there's no doubt that there is always "someone somewhere" that's doing worse than you...right? Thank you for sharing your experiences Gilly. Luckily, I have never had a UTI. I hope you're doing better with that. I will talk to my urologist about Botox next time I see him...just want to try. Question, do you drink coffee? Or do you try to avoid it? Because I do enjoy my morning coffee and I know that aggravates the bladder but...we have to enjoy ourselves as well...don't we?😉 stay well💕💕

[WAshingtongirl]

This is my second attempt at replying (I'm new here and this is my first response to a post). I sure hope I don't lose this one! 😉 Hi. My bladder is my Achilles heel. UTIs set off my MS, and I often get one during or after a relapse. I had 2 bladder surgeries in my 20's. They were due to physical issues (not MS) and corrected a prolapsed bladder (twice) and urethra. Chronic UTIs have plagued me since my first MS symptoms 25 years ago. I was on oxybutynin for about 15 years and myrbetriq for 2. I stopped myrbetriq because I felt it wasn't helping my issue, but rather making rhem worse. As it turned out, they were. I think my urologists thought my MS was causing me to have an overactive bladder (going frequently, accidents, etc). It turns out I have a neurogenic bladder and I was going frequently because I didn't know when I had to go and didn't want a surprise accident. I had accidents because my bladder didn't empty and when it got full, I had no sensation telling me I had to go! Last year I decided to try a bladder interstim device (like a pacemaker for your bladder-requires surgery) rather than self catheterization. This month is my first year anniversary with the device and though I've had a couple UTIs and accidents, it's NOTHING like before. I am pleased. My urologist does tell me it may delay self catheterization for a few years. ☺️ I recommend you make sure your bladder issues are MS related first. They may not be and a simple medication may help. But if MS is the culprit, a urologist can do a battery of tests to determine where the problem is. I hope you get some solid answers and relief!! Many of us here know and understand what you are going through. I hope that gives you some sense of comfort.

[Cunning100]

I also have the same type issue...I have problems with my bladder as well...I have a hard time with retention..however it turns to extreme urgency as soon as I'm close to a toilet....see a urologist they can run tests and perhaps even a med....I take half dose of vesicare ( the gotta go gotta go medicine) and it seems to be helping...while it's the MS is causing the bladder to not work right....but it's the urologist that should treat that symptom...make sense? Christine

[esalcido]

Thank you all for replying...it's good to know I'm not alone. I keep rescheduling the "follow up" appointments with my urologist because I really don't ever get an answer, so I just deal with it...we'll see. Sometimes, WE just know better "tricks" than our doctors:/

Be well:***

[DeeWhite]

There are many meds for bladder issues. I now get my bladder noticed. Don't give up and find a good urologist.