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Bladder or Bowel Dysfunction

Share your experience with bladder or bowel dysfunction. Get the conversation started.

  1. I can't tell when I need to urinate. I put myself on a bathroom schedule. I have not had any accidents, but am wondering if this is a common problem.

    1. Yes, and it is very embarking. I have urges but to late, I wear protection all the time now because I never know. I am bedridden and have to wobble to toilet so with urges coming late I try to make it sometimes I do but some I don't. The underwear is plastic and with heat is miserable! But I endure it, because it's better than alt.

    2. I'm sorry to hear that your experience what sounds like a loss of sensation that the bladder is getting filled up or maybe better said as a lack of getting the message that you need to urinate. It sounds like you took a really helpful step of putting yourself on a bathroom schedule so I'm glad that it worked. Thanks for sharing that tip as I'm sure others can learn too. And I hope that you're able to gain some insight from the other comments on this thread as well.

      - Alene, moderator

  2. Skymom, it sure is! I have trouble urinating when I can feel my bladder is full. I used to have urgency, but I take Vesicare for that. It's good that you go on a regular schedule, our doctors say we need to void 4-7 times a day to prevent bladder infections. You're not alone 😀

    Kim, MS.net moderator

    1. I count each day I go at least 13 times and unfortunate I can not take anything because of allergies and drug interactions. So frustrating and completely exhausting, so much so I have hard time breathing. Round and round we go, where it stops nobody knows.

    2. I don't know if you're open to acupuncture that some people have found help from those treatments as well. It's not for everyone, but I figured I would mention it, in case it's of interest.
      - Alene, moderator

  3. I have bladder urgency and sometimes do not make it to the toilet in time. I work full time and teach classes for adults. This is very embarrassing when I have to make an excuse, practically run from the room and then return in different clothes. I take medication but it does not work very well anymore and I know that most of the drugs can cause "brain fog". Does anyone know of, or has anyone tried anything that works well?

    1. Hi bahunt! I am sorry you are dealing with this issue. Our contributors have written articles on this topic. Many of the suggestions include medication, but some of the non-medical tips might be something to try! https://multiplesclerosis.net/symptoms/urinary-incontinence-frequency-retention-bladder-dysfunction/ This article discusses the issue as well and the comments have some tips you might find helpful -- https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/luts-talk-urinary-problems/comment-page-1/#comments. I hope this helps a little. You are not alone in this. Wishing you a good afternoon, Erin (MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member).

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