This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

I would like to hear from fellow ms'ers who have been referred to a urologists for treatment. I am supposed to see one but i am kinda scared. How do they treat loss of bladder control? I am nervous about any "procedure" that involves my bladder. I am currently taking Sanctura for incontince. Renee

_________________
Thanks for visiting THE LOONEYBIN!!

I was referred to a Urologist for oncoming bladder issues last summer.


My first visit to a urologist was no big deal. Just general conversation about my frustrations and the doctors thoughts or plans. I simply sat in a room fully clothed and discussed what was bothering me. He suggested he take a look around inside using a tube and scope. That was scheduled for another time.


After a procedure using a tube / scope looking around inside the bladder, I was given a prescription to wear a Oxytrol "patch", which is like a piece of tape that I place on my hip for 3-4 days before changing and rotating areas. Issues with urgency and frequency went away. When I forgot to wear the patch for a few days last fall, I decided to see how long I could go before the issues returned. Just last week I put a patch on after several months without it. Did the patch help or was it part of a natural cycle of things being more evident and less evident? I don't know, but it is super easy and really no big deal at all.

Another option the doctor could have tried were pills.

I would encourage you to take the first step and make an appointment with the urologist. You can determine if you want to proceed or not, but at least you made it to the first appointment and learned your options and comfort level with the doctor. I hope I was helpful

i have seen urologists for urinary issues. i have also seen an endocrinologist for... how shall i put this delicately... some disturbing unilateral atrophy i've had that has stumped 4 board-certified urologists and one board certified endocrinologist. (if your really curious pm me and i'll tell you)

i take urecholine (bethanacol) which is good stuff. it works well for neurogenic bladder and has a good side-effect profile.

jim
paramedic with MS

some of the tests are: PVR post void residual non-invasive ultraslund of bladder to check for residual urine and urodynamics study- small foley catheter which has a pressure sensor to measure emptying pressure

This is for my husband, which has MS and bladder issues. He recently went to a urologist because of wetting at night. Diapers tended to not hold it all, so he was looking for something to stop him from going so much. Particually at night. We found out through the ultrasound procedure that he was not going enough. A spastic spchinter muscle, what starts and stops your voiding, was not releasing and he was "overflowing". In other words, when the bladder got too full, it just let some empty out. He had over 1600 units in his bladder AFTER going to the bathroom. If you don't know how much that is, it is over 1 and a half urinals full. He did not even know it. Turns out this has been going on some time and his bladder was almost 4 times its normal size. Good side of this is a medicine called Flomax. It is suppose to help the spchinter muscle. And he already takes Baclofen. He had stopped it before he knew all of this. Now we have to shrink his bladder back with me catherizing him 3 times a day. Not a great experience, but could be worse. It should be temporary. His bladder, shrunk down, will start getting some message that it is full when it is mildly full.

i take it by units that you mean milliliters or cubic centimeters? that is a huge volume. the bladder just got overdistended and streched way out is how i understand it. i hope things get better for yall.

jim

Yeah, whatever the numbers are on the side of a urinal or catheter bag. It's better. DR says once he shrinks his bladder back down, the urge to void should come sooner. Won't know how the MS has effected it too much now though.