Can bladder problems come as a flare?

[Dagun]

Hi all you wonderful peoble :), can bladder problems come as a flare or do they always come to stay perm..? (don´t know how to write the rest of this word) I am going to an urulogist (?) tomorrow, and I want to be prepared. I´ve had incontinence twice for a week or two each time, last month I had the strange feeling like I had to push to get the urine flowing, but not from the start but more in the middle to the rest, could that be some kind of hesitancy?? But now that is back to normal again. So it seems like I´ve nothing to prove, what has been going on or what do they do to check it out? Please tell me what you think.
My best,
Dagun

[Dagun]

Thank you all for your support. I so apriciate it. I met with the urologist today, and it was ok. He just used a sonar (?) machine on my stomach to se how much was in the bladder 20 minutes after I had emptied it. And there was 80ml, he thought it was ok, could be normal.

He wants me to deliver a morning sample to test for UTI. So he will call me with results later. But he thought there was not a reason to do the other tests for now, because I´m not having bladder symptoms now. I´m just glad that this is over and done with (for now).
My best to you all,
Dagun

[sllowe]

Dagun,

I have nothing to add to the good advice given. Just want to say you described the issue perfectly to us, and I've no doubt the urologist will understand perfectly even if things have resolved a bit.

Hope you get some help with this. Good luck with you doc visit.
-shell

[sg400]

I, too, have had a difficult time 'completing the task' lately - takes more time and effort (and sometimes a second trip shortly after the first). I assumed it was a normal part of getting older. Is that not so?

D

[Dagun]

Thank you both! Jane you are right, ofcourse I should go and do the tests that are needed in hope he can help me forward to knowing what is going on. I´m just being a chicken here ;o).

Sarah it is good to hear that the urologist could rule out and see were this was coming from, I hope mine can do that also. I heard he is the best in nerve connected bladder problems, so I think I´m in luck here. Just awful how expencive meds can be!

My best,
Dagun  

[SarahL2491]

i too agree.  I had the same problem in the fall, after my kidney stone was resolved (perhaps stress caused/ms) and because I was still seeing the urologist, we ruled out evverything pertaining to his department, leaving only the incontinence/bladder spasms as s/s of MS.

It's not an unpleasant experience to have it checked out and there are meds out there for it.  I just could not afford them!

Good luck but get it checked out!

Sarah

[JaneK1975]

Your English is much better than you think it is, Dagun. Those word choices were perfect.

I think both UTIs and other bladder problems can still be present even when we don't feel them. If you describe symptoms that have passed or have come and gone, I would think the urologist will still run some tests or at least ask questions.

Even if the visit doesn't get you an answer, I think it is worthwhile since you're in limbo. It will be good to have these symptoms documented by a doc.

- Jane

[Dagun]

Thank you  Jane, Kyle and LoveMyBostons for your insight (wrong word?) on this.

I´ve not had incontinence since october, then it lasted for over a week and I also had it in the summer (but at that time I just did not think it was connected to my neuro stuff). And now this hesitancy in Jan. I dread SO much going to him, and I´m just thinking if it´s worth it because even though he does the tests that you´re talking about, will there be anything to see because I am ok these days?

I do not feel like I´ve UTI, so do you think he will still need a sample? And the urodynamic testing is'nt it awful :(, I am sorry so many of you have already gone trough this and I´m such a wimp (is that the word I´m looking for- never sure of my English)

My best,
Dagun

[kwarendorf]

I have difficulty starting, and then maintaining, the flow. I also don't always completely empty my bladder. This means I'm often back in the bathroom 20-30 minutes after my last visit.

For me it seems to be permanent, as I'm not in a flare/relapse. I take Flomax, which helps but does not solve the problem.

Kyle

[LoveMyBostons]

I too have bladder problems. For your first urologist visit they will probably ask for a urine sample and go over your symptoms. They may also do a bladder/pelvic scan to see if you're retaining any urine. After I gave my sample (and was confident I was empty) my scan measured around 13 ounces in there - I was shocked!

They may want you to come back for urodynamics testing. That's where they have you empty your bladder, hook you up to sensors, fill your bladder using a catheter, and then have you empty. The sensors measure all sorts of things - your muscle contraction & ability, how much goes in and comes out, etc.

I believe there are medications out there to help. They wanted me to have pelvic floor muscle training sessions but unfortunately I couldn't afford to go back. But don't worry, whatever is going on, I'm sure there's something out there to help you.

[JaneK1975]

Hi Dagun! I have had bladder problems that later resolved, so from my perspective, I would say they are not necessarily permanent. What you describe as "the strange feeling like I had to push to get the urine flowing, but not from the start but more in the middle to the rest" does sound like hesitancy to me. I had frequent UTIs a few years ago (which may or may not have been a symptom of MS), but I have not had any since - so don't think that once bladder problems start they never go away. Mine did.

Probably the first thing the urologist will have you do is pee in a cup to see if you have a UTI. You shouldn't feel like you have something to prove. There are a million things that could be causing your problems, and I'm guessing a urologist will not only want to figure it out but will also be the most well-equipped person to do so. Good luck at the appointment.

- Jane