Do bladder issues relapse and remit as well?

[aspen]

This may be a dumb question. My urologist appointment is finally approaching ... but the overactive bladder/incontinence/retention issues I had from January through mid-August are gone :-P. So I'm very glad ... I called the office and they told me they will just keep rebooking the appointment if I am asymptomatic.

Just curious whether this comes and goes like everything else ...

[lstrl]

You're so lucky (at least with that issue). I wish my bladder issues would remit, but that is one symptom that has never gone away for me. It started almost 2 years ago, and there are times where it is better and times where it is worse, but it has never completely gone away for any period of time. The only thing I've noticed with it is it seems like the bad periods only last a week or two and then I can make it longer again for a while before I get to where I have to pee every half hour or 3-5 times in the middle of the night (my norm is once, maybe twice and can usually make it 1-3 hours while awake but can never hold it whenever I get the urge).

My bladder issues have never been addressed by any of my drs, so this is how it is for me without ever having tried meds to make it better. I can also say that my symptoms usually remit about a year after they've started, so I'm guessing this is one that I'm stuck with for life. I won't give up hope though, I'm sure stranger things have happened.

[aspen]

Well, I guess things are still slightly overactive ... but totally manageable. Did have a little oops last night :-(. Still, relatively speaking it's been so good!

Just not sure it's worth a uro. consult for slight symptoms. And the retention issue I was having is definitely gone.

[tspaulding]

This may be a dumb question. My urologist appointment is finally approaching ... but the overactive bladder/incontinence/retention issues I had from January through mid-August are gone :-P. So I'm very glad ... I called the office and they told me they will just keep rebooking the appointment if I am asymptomatic.

Just curious whether this comes and goes like everything else ...

I have had frequent urination since I was 16. Now I am 39, and experience urgency and retention, never know, I have to go get to the bathroom and may or may not be able to go.

I am used to it but it is frustrating. I have tried meds in the past that helped some. Now I drink a lot of coffee, so the meds do not help me. I use the bathroom very frequently, about 4x/hr.

I wish u luck. Tasha RRMS dx 1995

[misslux]

I don't remember if you went for a ultrasound pre- and post- void? Apologies if I am asking things you've posted elsewhere!

Are you taking anything for the overactive bladder? Has the issue of a spastic bladder been addressed?

I too have good and bad periods with overactive bladder, retention and hesitancy. Relaxation AND hydration (a full bladder) is what helps me the most. When I went for my ultrasound, I only retained 9 ml post-void. But when my bladder isn't full, I tend to retain more.

I tried Vesicare for two months and it didn't help, I'm starting
Myrbetriq in a couple of weeks (not too expensive... Shopper's prices it at $74 for 30 days. Not too much more than Vesicare).

Also I know that a pelvic physio can help with exercises. Not covered by OHIP but since they are physios they are covered by supplemental insurance. That is next on my list to check out.

Lastly, have you watched the three videos from the Taking Control of Your Bladder conference? If not, they are definitely worth a watch. They are the first three videos here:

http://mssociety.ca/chapters/toronto/elibrary.htm

If it were me, I think I might still go see the urologist anyway.

[seshultz62]

comes and goes

I can only speak from my own experience. I have found it to basically come and go for me (bladder leakage). Doc put me on a medicine that has definitely helped. So nice not to have to wear a pad. The med helps with spasms, so since this seems to be working, I guess that's what has been happening. Good luck to you. Hope you continue to have good success in that area.

[aspen]

Thanks, everyone!

I was on amitriptyline for a while for other reasons and it worked wonderfully for six weeks, but as I had to raise the dose, it started working TOO well in that area.

My appointment is this week now ... I'm leaning towards canceling it since there is nothing going on. Since all the stupid began, I've learned that going to specialists with nothing but history is pretty pointless.

MissLux, no pre- and post-void anything. That would have been what this appointment was about -- further investigation. Thank you for the link -- since I imagine I'll need the info (and the appointment!) further down the road.

I only hope I don't update this thread next week in the middle of bladder chaos with the next appointment booked in December .

[misslux]

I just started Tizanidine at night (to see if it calms my bladder) and so far I have been getting up WAY less. A few days I didn't have to get up at all!

[misslux]

aspen, how did the appointment go?

[misslux]

One more thing, I know you are still in limbo, but are you going to the MS 101 seminar in a couple of weeks?

http://mssociety.ca/chapters/toronto/events.htm#ms101

[aspen]

The thought of getting to T.O. is completely overwhelming to me at this point. Not really in a travel-friendly place, but I wish I could ...

[misslux]

Ah, that is too bad, but understandable.

[roxi]

roxi

Like most MS symptoms bladder issues can get better. I used to have difficulty initiating a urine stream. Now things go pretty smoothly for me unless I have a fever. If the fever is high enough, I need a catheter. I don't need one everyday!

[aspen]

Thanks for your input, Roxi. Guess I'll appreciate the lack of problems in this area right now.

I didn't take the appointment, MissLux, because what I experience at this point could easily be blamed on childbirth/age/whatever. I've already had an ms specialist appointments that arrived too late and I was basically asymptomatic -- I'm grateful that the other specialists have been flexible and have allowed me to keep the referrals until they are needed. The health care system has been working better than I thought it would .

[misslux]

Ah okay!

I hope that you get out of limbo soon though with something that is treatable/curable!