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Help - bladder issue advice really needed

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 2:03 am
by Wonderfulworld
I am at the end of my tether with a bladder issue and I would really appreciate input from any of you that have struggled with bladder issues.

Basically when I go to the loo before bed, within 30 minutes I feel I need to go again. This is going on until 3am every night. I know there isisn't much there to 'go' with, it's just small volumes, but it bothers me enough to want to go and empty my bladder.

I have taken solifenacin for a week, 5mg in the evening, but it seemed to actually make it worse! - I had to 'go' for longer into the night.

I tried self-catheterisation again last night - a tiny bit came out but within 30 minutes I needed to 'go' again. And again and again.

I am exhausted and I just don't know what to do. I am not sure if it's retention or frequency or just phantom urgency or what?

I try not to drink anything after 7pm in the evening, do not drink caffeine after lunch, don't take green-tea at all, and this problem is something that often occurs at this time of year, for some reason.

Any advice or insights?

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 3:33 am
by CureOrBust
Things that have worked for me are:
When I go the last time before bed, I lean forward (sitting) and press down / in on my stomach just above my public bone. This allows me to empty a little more. Then, when this is done, I stand up, and press again in on my stomach just above my pubic bone. After all this, I find that if I stand in a doorway, and jump up and down (abt 10-50 times) I manage to get a final empty.

Also, I find that if I am slightly chilled, I have more need to go, so I make sure I am covered enough at night that I don't chill and find I need to go. Just like you, I also limit my intake of fluids before I go to bed.

Since I was once worse, learning what worked for me when I was at my worst means that now that things have improved, I can sleep through the whole night.

Good luck, and I hope some of this helps you, as I know how annoying this can be.

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 5:52 am
by Algis
Put a diaper; take sleeping pills and rest few nights.

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 6:43 am
by jimmylegs
that sounds so annoying ww. i used to get UTI after UTI when i was younger, any chance of a mild infection ww? do you take any probiotics at all? (that's what fixed my recurrent infections)
other than that, what is your caffeine intake like? coffee? pop? any other diuretics?

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 6:49 am
by jimmylegs
http://www.suite101.com/content/urinary ... ncy-a68206
Urinary Frequency
Diabetes, UTIs Not the Only Causes of Frequent Urination
Urinary frequency is associated with many chronic illnesses, especially neurological illnesses. It is well-known to be a symptom of multiple sclerosis, but many doctors don't know it's also very common in fibromyalgia and CFS/ME. The latter are also often associated with interstitial cystitis, a chronic bladder condition that causes frequency, urgency and often severe pain.

The cause of interstitial cystitis isn't known, but the symptoms are thought to stem from inflammation in the bladder, with possible connections to allergies or autoimmunity. In most people with urinary frequency, however, the problem is spasms of the bladder or sometimes excessive urine production (polyuria).
you're already taking magnesium aren't you ww? the spasm thing always red flags magnesium with me..

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:01 am
by Wonderfulworld
Thanks Cure, Algis and JL - really glad to hear from you all.

Cure I am definitely going to try your routine this evening, warned my husband about the jumping up and down in the loo so he won't think I've completely lost it :lol: it's worth a try and hopefully it will help a bit. Thanks.

Algis - I tell u I am not far from racing back to the GP and roaring 'give me some sleepers now!' - I may yet do that if Cure's routine doesn't work tonight. It's a vicious circle - the less sleep I get the worse my symptoms are....arrghh!

Jimmy my GP checked me for an infection the time before this bout, but I think you're right, it's worth checking again. When I go to see him later this week I'll get him to check infection for definite. This is an annual or twice annual symptom though - I'd nearly like it to be a UTI because it would be fixable but in the past it has never been :( GP has also checked me for diabetes - no sign of it. I'll ask GP about the others - interstitial cystitis etc. Thanks for the article.
other than that, what is your caffeine intake like? coffee? pop? any other diuretics?
Ha, well my x2 mugs of coffee for breakfast are non-negotiable!! They make no difference to the night time thing tbh, because most of the time this problem does not happen. I just drink water or decaffeinated tea at lunch. No green tea anymore, no fizzy drinks or cola etc. Just juice, milk, or water after lunch. Magnesium I take every day so it's not that. Thanks for the info. x

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 11:09 am
by CD
Hi WW,
FWIW:
I was told NOT to press on the stomach or above the pelvic bone or even bending forward, as this first sends the urine back up the tubes to the kidneys, before it comes back down to give a little pressure to help with retention or hesitation.

If you have any germs in your bladder you are forcing them up to the kidneys and you can get a kidney infection which is worse than just a bladder infection.

Kidney and bladder stones, even tiny sand size ones, can make you have the constant urge to urinate too. Small retention under 20 to 30 ccs shouldn't keep giving you the urge to empty. Not much pressure in that amount.

I used to get that problem frequency, hesitation, and retention so I had many renal scans, ultrasound of bladder and kidneys, full and empty and Urodynamics too.

I drink plenty of fluids even up to bedtime. The more fluids the more germs get washed out. I also gave myself a sit every two hours. I am female, but men should sit too when they can, as it takes the pressure off the Prostrate gland when they sit once in a while, unless they can't stand at all then sitting is the only option.

Salt retains fluid, lack of potassium retains fluid, some medication retain fluid, even Blood pressure meds like calcium channels blockers make you retain.

So drinking plenty of fluids during the day and evening is beneficial to good bladder health. If your brain does not get the message you have to go, or if you can't make it fast enough to the bathroom, then think spasticity. The bladder spasms, and Magnesium is good for some muscles (like legs, feet, etc. ) and perhaps the bowel to go (like Milk of Magnesia [same stuff] ), but Magnesium may not help the bladder.

Have you been to a Urologist or a Nephrologists' office? Have you had Urodynamics testing? That Neurogenic bladder is so common in MS and other Neurological diseases. Besides meds, they have techniques and charting you can do, also a way of you measuring your in-take and out-put of fluids, with a toilet, plastic hat. You put it on the bowl and it measures. They give it to you with a chart to see if you are correct, with electrolytes too.

Just some thoughts on this. I've had MS about 30 years, I also have my antiquated nursing career that I still remember, before I switched (thank you MS, NOT) to a financial career. I don't know you or much about what testing or problems you have or the others on here, so I thought I'd just throw in some ideas if you don't mind.
CD

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 11:09 am
by jimmylegs
ah i see that you ARE on probiotics so that's good.. your regimen looks fantastic.. i'm looking at the cal/mag/zn thing though, and pondering whether you're getting enough magnesium absorption out of that combo pill.. how many mgs of cal mag and zn are there in each of those pills? and what form is the magnesium? AND, do you eat lots of high magnesium foods? ok i'm done now ;)

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 12:33 pm
by hannakat
I agree with jimmylegs. It sounds like bladder spasms (allowing there's no infection). Increase magnesium. If you take magnesium in the a.m., take more before bedtime. Magnesium glycinate at bedtime would be the best.

~^..^~

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 1:08 pm
by CD
Do you know how much WW takes of Magnesium? An increase could cause diarrhea. It's a laxative at high dosages. "Milk of Magnesia" or too many tablets, same thing.
CD

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 1:34 pm
by jimmylegs
we haven't heard back yet, cd!

also, as for the laxative side effect, it depends what form. REALLY laxative forms like mag oxide.. slightly better ones like mag citrate, ya they'll give you the runs. mag glycinate is a little easier on the system!

timing of mag supps wrt vit d3 intake is another factor affecting absorption.

need more info!

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 2:18 pm
by Loobie
The bladder is the bane of my existence! I struggle mightily with it. I would say if you are getting very little out with a cath, then you may not be inserting it far enough? If you empty your bladder with a cath, you should absolutely not have to go in a 1/2 hour. Have you had your kidneys checked?

One thing that someone told me long ago works well too. When you drink a glass of water, don't sip it over an hour or so. Slam it. I don't mean chug, chug, just drink it faster. It seems to make my 'voids' bigger. I drink more than the full amount during the day, but then I cut off fluids at 8:00 for a 10:30 bedtime. Then I cath before bed and don't have to pee until about 4:00 or so. If you truly are emptying your bladder with the cath, something is wrong that you have enough to go in a 1/2 hour.

On the other hand, you could also possibly have the most overactive bladder muscle there is. If that's the case, check with a urologist for an anticholinergic. I would also get a bladder ultrasound pre and post cath session to make sure you are emptying with your cath.

Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 1:53 am
by Wonderfulworld
Hey just checking back in today. Well, I slept mostly last night at long last apart from one wake-up - I feel slightly more sane today. But I have to hold up my hands and say that in complete desperation I drank a half a bottle of wine (it's been a while!) before bed because I started getting cramps in my shoulders and back and I was just completely sick of this night-time bladder nonsense and pain. It worked - but before you all think I've a problem it's not a solution I'll be trying every night! :lol:

CD - I will ask the GP about kidney stones alright, just to see.
Small retention under 20 to 30 ccs shouldn't keep giving you the urge to empty. Not much pressure in that amount.
That's the volume that is coming out though, that's why I am so frustrated it's because I'm having to void such small amounts.
Have you been to a Urologist or a Nephrologists' office? Have you had Urodynamics testing?
Yes I have had a full exam and urodynamics testing - all normal - :cry: - they tested me when I was fine, so that was a wasted exercise. My neuro did get a ultrasound done of my bladder and it showed retention at that time. The neuro clinic is currently under extreme pressure and I don't think I'll get assessed before this bout passes as it's a public, not private clinic.

Cure I tried the pushing and jumping - it did work! Yay! CD I know you said it could push urine up to the kidneys but I'm in desperation here......Cure I will try it again tonight.
i'm looking at the cal/mag/zn thing though, and pondering whether you're getting enough magnesium absorption out of that combo pill.. how many mgs of cal mag and zn are there in each of those pills? and what form is the magnesium? AND, do you eat lots of high magnesium foods? ok i'm done now Wink
JL in my multi I'm not sure of the form of the mag but it only contains 100mg mag & 162mg Cal. Then later I take 3000IU Vit D3 along with a 250mg Magnesium oxide tablet (it also contains mag stearate as an anti-caking agent), then at bedtime I take a Cal/Mag tablet with 500mg Cal/250mg Mag Oxide & Gluconate. In the past I've added another Mag tablet (250mg) but then I do get the runs so what I'm on seems to be the upper limit of what I can get away with. I take 4 high-dose probiotic tablets too at bedtime.
Whaddya think?
I would say if you are getting very little out with a cath, then you may not be inserting it far enough? If you empty your bladder with a cath, you should absolutely not have to go in a 1/2 hour. Have you had your kidneys checked?
Loobie sorry to hear your bladder is also the bane of your existance. I was wondering about the cath - I've tried putting it in as far as it goes - no good- now I'm wondering if it's the angle - maybe I'm missing a 'pocket' of urine. No - haven't had kidneys checked, it's worth asking my GP as I'm going at the end of the week.
If you truly are emptying your bladder with the cath, something is wrong that you have enough to go in a 1/2 hour.
I agree - and I'm talking about 'going' with only a very tiny amount too - it's as if my bladder cannot tolerate the feeling of storing ANY urine at nighttime. During the day I ignore the feeling and it's much less of a problem.
On the other hand, you could also possibly have the most overactive bladder muscle there is. If that's the case, check with a urologist for an anticholinergic. I would also get a bladder ultrasound pre and post cath session to make sure you are emptying with your cath.
Yes I suspect that I do own the most overactive bladder in the universe. :evil: One night about 7 years ago I counted 28 visits to the loo after 9pm. I think the pre/post-cath session is what's needed - I need to visit the neurology clinic for that I don't think my GP has this equipment.
The thing is Loobie I'm on 25mg amitriptyline for nerve pain already, it's got anticholingeric properties that normallykeep the evil bladder under partial control. It's when a relapse hits me then it just goes crazy adn then by the time I get an appt to see someone, the problem has always gone away! I took a week of solifenacin too and it didn't help.
:?:
Thank you all for your replies. Hopefully I will sleep a bit better tonight again. x

Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 6:51 am
by jimmylegs
hi WW glad you had a better sleep last night!

ok so total daily magnesium..
100 mg mag - in multi, likely oxide
250mg mag oxide - with vit d3
cal 500/mag (oxide and gluconate) 250 mg - at bedtime

so my first thought is on combinations, timing and competition. i'm looking at when cal and mag go in relative to D3, to each other, and relative to bed time.

with what you have in the cupboard now, you could try switching it up and taking the cal/mag blend with the vit D3, and the 250mg mag oxide at bedtime. (with calcium to magnesium 2:1 going into you at bedtime, you are just asking your muscles to contract.. bladder, shoulders, back..)

AND, by taking your only isolated magnesium at the same time as D3, your body isn't getting any chance at magnesium absorption, without serious competition from other stuff.

now to forms: magnesium oxide is one of the least soluble forms and therefore most likely to give folks the runs, and the hardest to absorb.

you *could* think about trying magnesium glycinate (glycine is also useful to ms patients per klenner protocol, see below) or transdermal magnesium chloride oil. or a plain old epsoim salts bath, carefully following package directions, before bed.

overall, just make sure you get some mag into you when it's not going up against d3 OR calcium. and no calcium at bedtime!

studies:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11794633.
Bioavailability of US commercial magnesium preparations.
Abstract
Magnesium deficiency is seen with some frequency in the outpatient setting and requires oral repletion or maintenance therapy. The purpose of this study was to measure the bioavailability of four commercially-available preparations of magnesium, and to test the claim that organic salts are more easily absorbed. ... Results indicated relatively poor bioavailability of magnesium oxide (fractional absorption 4 per cent) but significantly higher and equivalent bioavailability of magnesium chloride, magnesium lactate and magnesium aspartate...
http://www.jacn.org/cgi/content/abstract/9/1/48
Magnesium bioavailability from magnesium citrate and magnesium oxide
Magnesium absorption from the two magnesium salts was measured in vivo in normal volunteers by assessing the rise in urinary magnesium following oral magnesium load. ... magnesium citrate was more soluble and bioavailable than magnesium oxide.
http://www.medlit.ru/medeng/ver/ver10e0229.htm
Comparative study of magnesium salts bioavailability in rats fed a magnesium-deficient diet
Mg L-aspartate compensated for magnesium deficit more effectively and faster than all other salts. Mg chloride showed the highest efficiency among inorganic magnesium salts. Both Mg chloride and Mg L-aspartate in combination with vitamin B6 caused statistically significant compensation of magnesium deficit.
http://www.townsendletter.com/Klenner/klenner4.htm
Glycine enters into a variety of metabolic functions. It is directly concerned in the synthesis of glutathione, the tripeptide which plays an important part in intracellular oxidation and reduction. Rapport and Katz have shown that when glycine is added to perfused muscle, the oxygen absorption is 40% higher than otherwise, indicating that the presence of this amino acid stimulates the combustion of other tissue constituents. To the body in general, glycine is no doubt most important because of its wide adaptability in the detoxicating process of the body. More than one hundred substances, when fed, are joined in the body with glycine. In the deamination of glycine, three products will be formed: ammonia, carbon dioxide and water. The ammonia from this reaction is then quantitatively converted to urea.
(aside: and of course your body requires adequate zinc in order for your liver to convert ammonia to urea)

hope that helps WW!

Bladder Issues

Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 10:00 am
by Shayk
Hi WW

Indeed, hopefully you did sleep better last night.

I can't comment directly on bladder issues as thus far I've managed not to have any (knock on wood). However, I did see this on Pub Med today, and since its research in the UK I thought I'd throw it out here.

Long-Term Effect on Quality of Life of Repeat Detrusor Injections of Botulinum Neurotoxin-A for Detrusor Overactivity in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Definitely hope you find something that works.

Take care

Sharon