Hi, I have been convinced I had UTI on 2 occasions in the last 4 weeks, both tests came back clear.
I normally have urine urgency, but now feeling bloated, stomach is distended, feels like not emptying fully, sensation of pain going up my torso straight after weeing, pain in my back below ribs when I move and a feeling of pressure between my legs, feeling sick in the mornings.
Number 2’s every 2-3 days don’t struggle but have to wait can’t help it along anymore. 2nd occasion I rang 111 for advise as I did think I’m newly diagnosed and maybe over reacting…
I was told to go to A&E blood & urine was tested both clear.ob’s were OK, Dr felt my abdomen tender in 2 places then sent me home saying nothing they can do as part of my progressive illness.
I’m sorry to be so explicit but I’m hoping you guys will be able to throw some light on it,
is this the shape of things to come? Or should I push for further investigation.
Thanks xx
Hi Polly, goodness no need to apologise to us for being explicit… nothing that we don’t all talk about on daily basis! I do think you’ve been fobbed off a bit… ‘part of your progressive illness’ isn’t exactly helping. It does sound to me that something is going on that shouldn’t be. Have you got an MS nurse? I think you need a referral to bladder nurse (specialist nurse who just deals with bladder issues). If you have an MS nurse, contact her/him and ask for referral. If not, contact your neuro (you should be able to email or ask to speak to his/her secretary) and say you want referral to bladder nurse… oh and bowel nurse (these will be two different people). Good luck hon. Sounds awful for you. Remember to drink plenty of water esp as sounds as if something isn’t right. Pat xx
Hi, I agree with Pat, you need to see a bladder/bowel nurse. In my area I see the same nurse for both issues. Don’t ever feel you need to apologise for being explicit…most of us have similar issues. It may be part of your progression but you shouldn’t have to suffer in that way. I’m sure if you have an MS nurse she will be able to help you. Good luck, Nina x
Hi Polly It does sound as though your GP isn’t really pulling for you. I’ve said elsewhere recently you need a good working relationship with him/her, try to stick with one good one. The GP should act as the focal point pulling all the threads to the various specialists. Either GP or neuro should set you up with the ms nurses. The symptoms all sound very familiar. You might need Movicol / Laxido to keep things moving; you have to experiment to get the right balance- mustn’t get too loose! I also find I have to use a glycerin suppository to initiate proceedings. Invest in some latex gloves! It’s not all as bad as it seems once you establish a pattern. Can’t really advise on lady’s bladder issues! 
But you are not over reacting. Uncertainties with these basics of human existence can be misery, and there’s help out there which you are fully entitled to Kev x
Hi sounds to me like an uti or even kidney infection, with the back pain.
Last year I had severe urgency, going every hour, some days/nights…fed up of it and peeing on bedroom floor as I was hoisting…think Niagara Falls and you`ve got the picture!
Anyway turned out I was not only suffering from urgency and a 6 month uti, but retention as well.
In the end I went for an spc, which has been great, apart from a few settling in hiccups. As my mobility is shot, it was the best way to go for me.
I take laxido every day and if I miss day, I take an extra one. it usualy sorts me out.
polx
Experience similar myself. I just make sure I drink loads of fluid (about 3 litres of water a day) and have lots of dried apricots. Seems to be all we can do.
I now have a supra pubic catheter fitted, best thing ever I was uretheral catheter befor but had so many infections, as for number two’s I use a mico enema each day to make me go and I movicol every night. Hope you get it sorted constipation can be painful and bladder infections have at times left me bed bound and unable to move. X Don
I also wonder if you aren’t retaining urine. I did for a long while. I was going often passing small amounts, tender distended abdomen and lower abdominal pain. A full bladder also presses on a full bowel causing difficulties there, and a full bowel makes bladder problems worse. A very distressing, uncomfortable vicious cycle. You need to see a continence nurse or urologist. I saw a urologist who ordered urodynamic testing. During the tests they discovered that I was suffering from retention, didn’t even wait for me to go back to the urologist but sent me to a nurse who taught me how to self catheterise.
This sounds traumatic but is such a HUGE relief. The teaching session was a bit uncomfortable but she was so pleasant, professional and helpful that any embarrassment was very quickly forgotten. I’ve never looked back. Sometimes I can go for days or weeks without having to do it but at other times I might need to do it every time I need to pee. It just depends on how my nervous system behaves itself.
Please don’t feel embarrassed to talk to your gp or ms nurse about your problems, they’re more common than even I imagined and I was a nurse. Feel free to send me a message if you’re uncomfortable asking questions on here but believe everyone when they say you’re not on your own. There are many ways to overcome these problems and it can be very discreet.
Take care, oh, and avoiding caffeine has helped me enormously, it really does irritate your bladder. Decaf tea and coffee aren’t bad, it’s worth a try and as the others have said, keep your fluid intake up.
Cath xx
Thanks for your support guys, I have my first appointment with the local continence team at the end of the month. I have increased my water intake since your replies and managed to get hold of some laxido so I will try these until my appt.
Pauline xxx
Hi pollypocket, i have ppms and i have seen a continence nurse and am on medication for my over -active bladder, i find that when i take it i bloat too, but as a woman you can “poke” your bladder and it will empty fully, just putting pressure just above the bikini line should help, i also drink loads but was having trouble with bowel movements and so i tried fybogel, which is brilliant and found that because i eat so little i need to make sure i eat lots of fibre to keep things moving xx