Bladder Query

[FSP25]

May seem a strange question but is there any connection between overactive bladder and PMR?

[SheffieldJane]

I think there is. I was diagnosed in March this year FPS25 and have had urinary symptoms ever since. Frequent going, at least every hour and a couple times in the night, low side pain if I can't go. Feels irritated when I do go, but not burning like cystitis . Urine tests show no infection. Very thirsty and lately my urine looks dark, almost brown. I drink all the time, water, teas. GPs don't make the connection though, it seems to me hardly worth going to my doctor these days. I learn far more on here. It could be a side effect of Pred. And just adds to the general joy. Would be interested if anyone has similar symptoms and a GP on the ball.

[FSP25 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you for your reply. Hourly sounds familiar and 2 or 3 times a night. Have some tablets from GP but they don't seem to be making any difference. I agree the information we get here is brilliant and of course the support Thank you again.

[bunnymom]

I had overactive bladder before PMR and tried meds but made me feel crummy. I go every hour and I had better get there quickly if you get my drift! Hope as I reduce this too will get better.

[FSP25 in reply to bunnymom]

Know what you mean about getting there quickly. So few public toilets these days!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I just wrote a long post over on another thread about repeated UTIs (or not?):

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

Yes, irritable bladder or interstitial cystitis is often found alongside PMR - and other autoimmune disorders, it may be autoimmune in origin too. The doctors seemed unaware of it: we mentioned it to the Leeds group and they started asking patients with PMR - and golly gosh - they had bladder problems!

The paper I quoted there

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

is very complex but the management bit at the end may be understandable and helpful in suggesting ways of treating the problem. And worth wafting at your GP if they are cooperative!

And you may find useful info here:

cobfoundation.org/bladder-c...

Of course, for some people pred doesn't help!

If it is any consolation it was a major problem for me before the PMR was diagnosed but it did improve and now I have almost no problems at all so it DOES get better. In the meantime - Tena are a godsend! A few of us said we should have taken out shares or asked them for sponsorship! They come in a variety of sizes - the littlest are just like ordinary panty liners but far more use and ideal for at home. A bigger one for going out maybe?

And another aspect may be: if you take calcium tablets and then don't drink enough, grit can form in the urine and it IRRITATES!!!! Try taking less/none for a few days and see if that helps. There are other forms of calcium which are less likely to form the grit than the calcium carbonate we are usually given, calcium citrate is better but you still should be careful if you have any history of kidney stones.

[FSP25]

Thank you PMRpro. That makes me feel reassured. Already discovered Tena! I will follow the links to get more insight and take up with GP again. Thank you.

[Mary63]

I am a specialist nurse in food intolerance, and I get good results with people suffering interstitial cystitis when they avoid the foods they are intolerant to.

[FSP25 in reply to Mary63]

Thank you Mary63. I don't think I have any food intolerances but is there anything I should avoid? Not just for the bladder but PMR in general?

[Megams]

It never ceases to amaze me how much I still learn after almost 2 years of being a member on this site.

Thank you PMRpro for the links & yet again will print your comment off & show to my Dr.

Thank you to the other folk who have supplied their experiences - I wondered why my water works remained frequent & often, but never equated interstitial cystitis to be found alongside PMR - was diagnosed with i.c. about 5 years ago by my Gynae. It doesn't really cause me any issues but if I am a bit niggly in that department I reach for my D-Mannose recommended by Chemist for bladder support just in case.

[Mary63]

There is no link between food intolerances and PMR. The only answer is prednisolone. However avoiding the foods you are intolerant can help the fatigue a lot. As to whether you are intolerant to anything that could be related to your interstitial cystitis...it is very likely to be food or drink which you consume at least twice daily. And if you are eating something you are intolerant of it is likely that you will have dark shadows under your eyes. So if that is the case for you it might be worth looking into food intolerance.

[FSP25 in reply to Mary63]

Thank you for your reply and fur the information re food intolerances. An unknown area for me.

[Mary63]

It is not a subject that many people know much about, and there is a lot of 'stuff' on the internet which is very misleading.

If you wish to learn more I have written a book 'Food Intolerance Solutions ' published this June.

I'm sure it was the stress of working and writing my tome that led to my PMR. Hey ho!!

Good luck to you..

[FSP25 in reply to Mary63]

Thank you. I'll look out for your book.