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Which doctor for other problems?

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    Which doctor for other problems?

    Long story short, but I had to go to the ER to have a catheter because I couldn't empty my bladder. I'm on antibiotics, while we wait for culture, but there was no obvious sign of infection, but I do have a history of UTI. They told me to follow-up with my PCP tomorrow.

    Is that the best place to start? Does my neurologist need to know about this?

    #2
    I would start with your PCP, but I would also schedule an appointment with a urologist.
    hunterd/HuntOP/Dave
    volunteer
    MS World
    hunterd@msworld.org
    PPMS DX 2001

    "ADAPT AND OVERCOME" - MY COUSIN

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      #3
      Hunterd is right...ultimately the urologist is the one you want to see. But you may need to go to your GP to get a referral to a urologist.

      If you're having retention problems, the urologist can usually pinpoint the problem by performing some tests. But more importantly, they can teach you to self cath, and help you keep supplies at your home so you don't have to go to the ER if the problem should come up again.

      Nothing like waiting in the ER when you have a bladder that won't empty Before I learned to self cath, I was in that position a time or two...it's not a pleasant experience at all. Sorry you had to deal with it.

      I keep sterile cups, catheters, and testing strips on hand.
      Always get a sample for culture before I start on an antibiotic. My urologist gives me antibiotics to have on hand...but I have to get a specimen first and drop it at her office (if it's a day they're in the office) or get to a walk in and get them to send off for a culture before I start the antibiotic. Many times I'll get a call 3 or 4 days after I've started the antibiotic on hand, and they'll have me change to another antibiotic.

      I've tried all kinds of things to keep my UTIs at a minimum, and haven't had a lot of success, but my urologist is still helping me try other strategies to slow down their development. I will say that my urologist is one of the best doctors I have in my MS entourage of docs. She is thoughtful, inquisitive, thinks outside the box, and is really trying to help me find a way to control the UTIs.

      She's into researching, not only meds, but supplements that might help. The latest is a product called TheraCran and I feel like it is making a difference.

      Hope your UTI resolves, and you find a urologist who will help you deal with this unfortunate side effect of MS.



      Hope you feel better soon.

      Comment


        #4
        Kat4Life,

        You do need to see a urologist, but I'll add your neurologist should also be told about this. He or she will want to note it in your history. He or she might also be able to recommend a urologist who deals with a neurogenic bladder.

        I had several UTI's last year, and two turned into sepsis. I even got a heart infection. Here I thought the only thing I needed to worry about was damaging my kidneys after a few of them turned into kidney infections in the past.

        Best thing I ever did was to finally see a urologist and learn how to self-cath. I have had more issues with urgency than retention, but turned out I was still retaining even after I thought I'd emptied. I now self-cath every 3-4 hours, and haven't had a UTI for 6 months.

        rdmc,

        Sorry to hear you still struggle with UTIs. I hope your urologist helps find an answer to end yours!

        Best wishes to both of you,
        Kimba

        “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” ― Max Planck

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          #5
          This is so horrible. Last night I woke up to wetting the bed. I called my PCP who was away today and so had to see his NP. She's kind but didn't offer much other than saying I needed to see a urologist. She made the call herself as an urgent referral and so I am going on Wednesday. I called my neuro's office as well and am waiting for a call back because because I realized last week that part of my back skin feels sort of numb to the touch. But it wasn't a huge deal so I figured it could wait until my next regular appt. I mean only notice it when my dh was rubbing it. I don't notice it just sitting still. I have also had problems on and off the past week with feeling in my genital area. I mean it has some some feeling, but not really normal and it has been tingling some.

          I did IV steroids in early April for ON. Would they help with the bladder issue if this is a flare? Could this be a flare?

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            #6
            When I went to a urologist he did a lot of tests on me and loss of sensation was one of the things that he measured. The loss of sensation is related to the inability to empty.

            When you go the urologist with figure all those things out.

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              #7
              I haven't had your problem, but your title really caught my eye. I've been on a merry go round with different specialists for various problems. Every one sends me back to the PCP and she sends me back to one or the other of the specialists. I never know which doctor takes care of which problem. None of them want to commit to the symptom-of-the-day. Just pass it off to another "specialist".

              There ought to be a Dummies book for picking a doctor.
              Marti




              The only cure for insomnia is to get more sleep.

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                #8
                Exception to the Rule

                I now have migraines that last from 6 to 12 weeks. They can vary in intensity and symptoms from hour to hour & day to day but they don't completely go away.

                I started getting classic migraines when I went through puberty. They never lssted more than 3 days and I could predict when I would get them. When they came out with Imitrex (originally only by injection) it was a miracle drug. I went through early menopause (Dr's called it premature) and the migraines eased up some.

                About 2 years ago they came back with a vengance and they are a horse of a different color. Same overall symptoms - aura, visual disturbance, light sensitivity, smell sensitivity, nausea (sp?) and onesided throbbing pain. Not all at the same mostly but pretty miserable. They do not respond to anything, painkillers sometimes take the edge off. And as I said, they last forever.

                Unfortunately I don't have any answers other than to say you aren't alone. I guess I am lucky that I have a high pain tolerance.

                Good luck and don't let the schmucks get you down. - M
                M.
                A question that sometimes drives me hazy: am I or are the others crazy?
                Albert Einstein

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