bladder control

[blueisgreen]

Has anyone else experienced a loss of bladder control while on prednisone. I've had PMR for about 5 years and had worked my way down very slowly to 2mg when my symptoms for PMR returned. I suddenly had sore shoulders, couldn't raise my arms very far, sore hips, knees and ankles. So I increased my prednisone to 5mg for 3 days, then 4 for 3 days. My PMR symptoms have subsided, but I seem to have an almost complete loss of bladder control. I've always had problems with this, but the sudden increase in this problem with the temporary increase in prednisone makes me wonder. Are these two things connected?

[Seacat30]

I started to want to wee more as soon as I took pred but have not (so far) been unable to stop myself.

I did think that it got worse when I increased my dose but that was from 8mg to 10mg so not as low as you.

I have been examined by Urology during this period who found nothing wrong with me.

[Rose54 in reply to Seacat30]

Same problem Worse in morning goes from not needing to to let me in their not always in time .

Have had camera into bladder all l ok

[fmkkm]

Hi

Whenever this happens suddenly to me it signals the onset of a UTI. Just a thought.

[blueisgreen in reply to fmkkm]

Yikes!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Steroids affect muscles -so maybe..but think you need to discuss with GP and get it checked…

[blueisgreen in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks. I've done a lot of Bladder therapy to no affect. It only just occurred to me it could be prednisone related.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

My immediate suspicion is that the flare may well be due to a urinary tract infection. The increase in pred may have been enough to make the infection suddenly a lot worse,

[blueisgreen in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks.

[jinasc in reply to PMRpro]

Shares in Tena Lady just shot up..................wish I had bought some 15 years ago..............😈😊

[Triumph650]

I’ll put my hand up. It drives me crazy, I have to plan where I am going in case I need to go.Prednisone takes away the urge or feeling that I need to go. I’ve been driving and had to pull over in a hurry and run off into the bush.

[GrandmaPirate]

I had also the same problems, very unpleasant when walking with a pulling dog. Also in my case tapering from 6mg to 2 mg pred I had to take regularly cranberry pills (different brands). Once on 1mg pred my life and that of my dog improved a lot. Must say that I also do daily exercises and pilates to strengthen urinary tract muscles.

[Hidden]

I’ve been on pred for nearly 2 years now and I’ve found the same, I have weakness in other muscles as well. I’ve taken to doing my pelvic floor exercises religiously and I think it’s improving. I try not to have those “just in case” wees as apparently they train the bladder not to hold so much! Things can only get better I tell myself 👍

[Kiwisufferer2019]

Yes, but didn't realize it could be pred, about 2 years now, as soon as I get the urge I need to rush to toilet, when I go to town, I go from one toilet to the next, can't hang on for long, very frustrating. Seeing urologist in a few weeks.

[Kiwisufferer2019 in reply to Kiwisufferer2019]

Been on pred 3 years in october

[Amkoffee]

When I had this problem it turned out to be a UTI. I had none of the burning or pain when going nor did I have a fever. Just the incontinence. It's worth getting checked out.

[blueisgreen in reply to Amkoffee]

thanks. I will ask.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Amkoffee]

Same happens to me.

[nuigini]

I had issues initially and I believe it was preds affecting bladder muscles. Problem disappeared as I reduced the dose.

In the last couple of years the need to head to the loo both day and night increased with minor urinary incontinence from time to time. Doc said it could be a UTI and sure enough it was. Apparently, you can have a UTI with little or few symptoms. Doc said if the problem returns after treatment three times in one year they investigate further.