Neurogenic Bladder - what is it?

[KimB]

Dear Doc:
What is a neurogenic bladder as associated with MS?  Can this symptom remit like other MS symptoms or is it something with you for life?

I'm also hoping you can help with my specific problem.  Have had what feels sort of like a bladder infection for 2 weeks.  Doctor could not find infection.  Feel the urge almost constantly but cannot produce much and find I have to bear down to get anything out and stream is not forceful?  Seems like output doesn't match input but hard to say because I go so much.  Up alot at night with urgency so it is affecting sleep quality.  No incontinence problems.  How serious is this problem?  Prefer to wait this out a few weeks to see what happens because I feel like a pest to my doc but I need some guidance/reassurance that holding off for several weeks won't cause any serious problems.

Also, this bladder thing comes on the heels of some limb tingling/weakness episodes last fall.  All MS tests normal except for spinal tap which wasn't done.  What would you advise at this point?  A urinary workup?  A spinal tap?  Or both?

Thanks for this wonderful forum!

Kim

[sue]

Kim,

Have you eliminated "interstitial cystitis" as a cause of your symptoms?

If not, just do a search on the term and you may relate to what you read.

Good luck.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Jason:

Long term heparin is not usually done due to long term side effects.  Coumadin is used to prevent further clotting not to reduce what clot has already lodged, except for TPA which has to be given within 3 hours of the onset of a stroke.  The clot lodged will usually undergo resolution on its own.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Jason]

My sister has a blood clot in her brain.  I am wondering if there are any other drugs other than coumadin or heparin that can make the clot smaller?  My sister is suppose to get married at the end of May so can you please help. Obviously, the marriage is not important compared to her health.  If you have any help or advice please email ***@****.

[KimB]

Forgot to mention in original post that doctor DID find microscopic amount of blood in urine.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Kim:

A neurogenic bladder is where you feel as if your bladder is full all the time and you go to the bathroom all the time, this may occur with or without accidents.  With a normal MRI, unless you have a spinal cord lesion (very doubtful as you have no significant signs otherwise) your condition is likely not due to MS or is a neurogenic bladder.  I would suspect a bladder infection of some sort.  It would be very unusual to have a neurogenic bladder with a normal MRI and abnormal CSF.  I would not recommend a spinal tap.

CCF Neuro MD