I have seen multiple Dr’s ans specialist nurses as I had a couple of instances of full retention and now do have trouble sometimes emptying my bladder fully. The only option they have given me is ICE and dont seam to want to look into alternatives. Every time i see a member of the medical profession i have to explain my reasons for not wanting to use them. At the moment the NHS seams to have no urgency about finding out the cause and a possible solution that i will accept.
Has anyone else had this, and had any alternates offered?
I work a dirty full time manual job, i have tried an indwelling cath at work before and it was so uncomfortable i removed it.
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Hi @Whelpy apologies for the possibly dumb question but what is ‘ICE’ ?
As for ‘cause’ as I understand it and have experienced MS can and does attack those nerves that control the bladder. For years and year I would feel the need to pee but couldn’t or would have to stand or sit patiently until my bladder opened.
These days I have the opposite problem I.e bladder urgency and the occasional incontinence ( I wet myself).
have you spoken with your MS Nurse
I’m sorry you’re have these issues with your bladder, it can take a while to have all the testing completed. I was fortunate and was seen by a urologist who specialises with urology issues brought on by damage to nerves. They first ask you to empty your bladder, then scan the residue urine. I was booked in to be taught to self catheterise. The I had a cystoscopy, ultrasound of the kidneys and urethras. Then had an MRI of bladder, and kidneys, was diagnosed with a neurogenic bladder. I recently had bladder Botox for bladder spasms.
Try speaking with your ms nurse about a referral to urology and see if they have a neuro uro department, as they’ll have a greater understanding of the effects of nerve damage to the bladder function.
Personally self catheterising has improved that part of my life.
I hope this is soon resolved for you, as know what it’s like trying to pass urine and nothing happens.
I’ve self cathed for years but have been dribbling at random for a while and ended up going with a sheath and leg bag. While that won’t empty your bladder it will allow you to leak/empty in a bag. Urinary Sheath is like a thick comdom with some adhesive on the inside to make it stick. The tip is a funnel that connects to a tube connected to a leg bag.