Bladder Issues in Mulitple Sclerosis (MS) Vlog 9/19/07

[singlemomadvocate]

I have bladder issues like yours, but no MS. Bladder issues suck, feel like you have to go, but nothing comes out. No infections though...

[Walshskis1]

I believe this is a PVC catheter, not silicone. This should be better for allergies.

[markythelad]

i was told i had M.S a few yrs back and have been on baclofen, and now also have been put on gabapentin.

i have noticed if i have a glass of a cold drink i need to go to empty my bladder within minutes and no sooner i have gone i need to go again no sooner i have drank a pint of water i would of gone to empty my bladder about 5/ 6 times is this to do with my M.S or the medication

[1maibob]

thank you, I saw Dr today for this she to think about self catheter. I to have MS and I have problems too.

[PMSAvenger1]

I'm 46 years old and just got diagnosed 2 months ago with MS. I don't have bladder issues, but in the last two years I have had about 3 bladder infections. Thank you for sharing something so personal. I don't know anyone with MS so these videos are very meaningful to me - to be able to listen to someone talk about MS who has it themselves..... I'm sure I'll be back with questions ... thanks.

[drewfuss2121]

bladder issues are the pitts... literally... I've been there with the whole self-catheterization thing, since july '07 when I got diagnosed with MS. Fortunately for me, I've had so many kidney stones since I was 16, that I have grown accustomed to the pain of the stone disease. And the problems with bladder issues, regarding MS. just hang in there. and don't take this life too seriously - none of us are going to make it out alive! lol =P

[allindo4455]

Please...I need ur help..I have a rare condition. I dont know exactly whats going on. My apendix is currently on the outside of my body and i stick a catheter in my body to empty my urine,I want to know other ways becuz this is ruining my life. :[

[inFAMOUS21Ricky]

I Had A Kindey Transplant A YEar Ago I Self Cath Every 4 Hours,And It Is Pretty Depressing Cuz The Doc Promised I Wouldnt Do It After I Had The Transplant...Oh Well?

:/

[gkygrl]

I hope that the transplant works for your Ricky. Self-cathing is a small issue, really, in the entire scheme of things. Maybe someday you won't have to do it anymore, but at least you know how. Think of yourself in recovery mode and you might feel a little better about it. I have been cathing since 2002 and I find it just speeds the process along. Take care of yourself! - Diana

[elizabethmcl]

Have you tried physical therapy. This spring my neurologist finally referred me to a Continence Clinic and I went through a similar testing process as you described. They gave me the three options, self catheterizing, medication, or physical therapy. The physical therapy has helped so much as well as taking a mixture of 1 c oat bran, 1 c applesauce, and 1/4 c prune juice (2 tbsps every evening with water- then increase to 3 and 4 tbps) as I also had a lot of strain with BMs.

[FritoCat]

Thank you so very much for this video. I am going through this right now and your video helped me understand it a lot better.

[gkygrl]

Cool., I am glad it helped!. Be well and don't every worry about cathing -- piece of cake and will make life a lot easier!!!  - Diana

[poisonivy285]

been there did this excet for the cather now if they would have given them to me back when i needed then bad would have helped now i have the interstim deviced placed in, the pacemaker really doent do well for me, what a waste i hate having this problem and pain comes with this bladder spasms, pain manage ment doent understand and i just got back to work pee all day and wear leak protection, what do i do i dont have insurance anymore but i know i need it

[dncr2beee]

my urologist is thinking of doing the interstim device on me should I do it or is it not worth it she isnt even confident that it will work that well?

[gkygrl]

Are you eligible for SSDI (Social Security) and going on disability? IF so, you will get medicare with that and you can get fresh catheters for each cath. Medicare will also provide you with your leak protection. Did your work offer long-term disability and did you sign up for that. If so, it may be time to explore retirement. My neurologist encouraged me to do that and helped me through the process.

[HatchetredSarah]

urodynamics

[dncr2beee]

OH MY GOSH I cannot thank you enough for posting this it is my exact story I am 22 and getting ready to see a neurologist to see if it is MS for sure but I got UTI after UTI hospitalized 3 times and found I was not emptying my bladder I cath every 4-6 hours during the day and maybe once at night I am scared to death that it is MS I had a cystoscopy and urodynamics test done along with a cystogram but my GP is pretty sure it is MS because of the bladder issues and the fatigue THANK YOU THANK YOU

[gkygrl]

How are you doing dncr2beeee? I hope you are adjusting well and living life. If you were diagnosed with MS, just stay on top of it. Even with the cathing, stay on top of it and stay clear of UTI's. That's the goal.

Sending a prayer.

Diana

[mgresham3]

This is so my story too.  I wish I had this when I started cathing. Great video. It will help many.

[123stalk]

Thank you so much.

[chocara1]

Great video! YOu should start doing lectures on how to use those, you went into great detail. Were any of those test painful????

[gkygrl]

Thank you Chocar1, the tests are not bad at all. Understanding what the tests are about will help you to feel more comfortable about them. For a cystoscopy, they use a lidocaine jelly for the scope-this helps. For Uro-dynamic testing, the most difficult part is having to hold liquid into your bladder as long as you can. The toilet is very high-tech. :) The tests are very helpful. No need to be afraid of the tests or the catheters if you have to use them. Piece of cake.

Best wishes,

Diana

[chocara1]

Yea, I think I may be going through the worst now, between urology and Renal clinics. Thanks and best wishes to you also...

[Sefardisafran]

Oh G*d PEE PROBLEMS have suffered from it since 1990. Last UTI triggered an exacerbation yeeek!

Love and best to you,

aefardisafran

hoboken nj

[monsterfromspace]

I'm a 53 y/o male and i've had MS for over 16 yrs, i start self cath-ing next week. Thanks for your comments and positive perspective. Now I have a bit more courage going into this - pardon the pun.

[stevehowerchuk]

drainage apliance at night. This was something like a man's athletic supporter (jock strap). The difference was the "jock strap" had a rubber sheath that enclosed my penis. Attached to the sheath was a urine collection bag. The collection bag would often be so full in the moring that I guessed I had urinated three or four times while I was asleep. First I had a cystoscopic exam just like you. This was some twenty years ago and the flexible cystoscopes of today hadn't been invented.

[stevehowerchuk]

Hi Dianna,

I'm a male Spina Bifida survivor and have always had a neurogenic (malfunctioning) bladder. Self catherization has been a real blessing for me.

Just like you I suffered from incomplete bladder emptying. My bladder capacity was about normal but I could only could void about one-fourth of the urine that was in it when it was completely full. As a result I had to void about four time as often as someone with a normal bladder - about sixteen times a day. Worse still I had to wear a

[Sefardisafran]

It sounds like ME! with MS for 30 years now is VERY progressive. Hope the best to you.

LuisM

Hoboken NJ

USA

[MCwarriors2010]

the test is Uro-Dynamic Testing. I've had tons of them.