Bladder Distention

• By birdmom
• Posted July 8, 2008 at 6:46 pm

Hi I am not sure that this will help you any but Nov of 2007 my Bladder also was destended,I went to emergency room hospital and they had to put in a catherer, my doc sent me for MRI of lumbar spine.There was a hemangioma at L3 level, they didn't think that was causing my problem ,depending on if there is pressure on the cord at that level, I didn't have that,so they ran some urine test,. found some blood in the urine.The doc told me there are bunches of reasons for bladder retention, many things can irritate the bladder and cause it to shut down. I had to leave cat in for 10 days to clean out some of the irritants,I was on antibiotics also the combo worked for me. Do not worry to much, it may be something like that going on .I am not a doc, I do know that anyone that has ever had to cat themselves,it is very uncomfortable, I had to remove mine,that too was abit of a challenge. I will pray for your husband that he gets the reason soon. I don't know how much I am aloud to say here, I do know an easier and less painful way for him to remove it . If you need my help on that matter I would be happy to suggest what that is. I am hoping all works out for you both. Please keep me posted . Jeannie

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• By joyceg98
• Posted July 9, 2008 at 11:24 pm

Good input, Jeannie. Yes, you need to check with your doctor -- both urologist and neurosurgeon (re lumbar spine). Either or both might be contributing to this problem, so check both. And be sure to clear the bladder, to avoid developing an infection in the bladder.

Best wishes,
Joyce

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• By darkcloud
• Posted July 10, 2008 at 2:03 am

Thank you both for your response! He has come to face the fact that he has to cath every day to empty his bladder. It's just a hard fact of life that is even difficult for me to accept. The urologist has adviced that he cath and NIH is watching his spinal tumor. Our next stop is MD Anderson Cancer Clinic in Texas to review his Kidney Tumor. Thanks for your input and concern.

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• By graciewt
• Posted July 11, 2008 at 11:36 am

In 2004, a large tumor was discovered in my spinal cord at the base of my neck. I didn't have an MRI the year before [I usually have 1 every year, since vhl was discovered in 1972] because I had been fine and was moving across country. So it was a shock. The surgeon who discovered it didn't want to operate because it was very dangerous and was not giving me problems. He was a jerk anyway, so I was glad he wasn't going to touch me. In hindsight, I should have started looking for a new Dr right then, but I guess I was denying that I was eventually going to need surgery. I got restarted 2 years ago, but by last Spring, I knew something needed to be done. I became so bad, I could hardly walk anymore, and urinating was becoming a problem. I got hospitalized just in time and had to be cathed. My new surgeon didn't feel qualified to operate either, but he put my case forth to his colleagues, and finallysomebody agreed to operate; they said if they didn't do something, I would end up parallyzed. On July 19, it will be a year since surgery. I spent last summer entirely in hospital, returning home Sept 20, after spending 5 weeks in a Rehab hospital. It was not until Aug 21 that I could empty my own bladder. I still have home care every morning, since I need help showering and getting dressed. I've put on weight because I can't move around very well. I don't use my walker except for distance; but I do drive out here in the country, just around home. It's great to be able to take care of my own household business. My neck gets really sore and tired, and my legs get really stiff if I sit for too long; but I have to persevere. I have to remember what life was like in the hospital. I belong to a competition singing group who rehearse every Monday eve, and a friend used to phone me Mondays so she could report to the group that night. I'll always remember my excitement when I said to her, "Tell them I can pee!!!!!!!" I realized a long time ago, that I was not going to enjoy grand accomplishments - but the accomplishments I could enjoy would be grand to me! Carpe diem!

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• By ReneeMichelle
• Posted July 12, 2008 at 6:17 pm

I have had spinal surgery to remove tumours at L3-5 twice and since that surgery (seven years ago!) I always felt like I was having retention. I had a bladder infection every time I was tested but the doctors just gave me antibiotics and didn't investigate. A few months ago I just couldn't pee at all. I went to emerg where they said I probably had a bladder infection and handed me a cup and told me to give them a sample. I said "I can't! I can't pee!" and the nurse told me to try. Frustrating. So I tried. Nothing. Finally they put a catheter in and the urine came out in buckets ... okay, that's an exaggeration, but that's what it felt like. It was a LOT. The nurse was shocked. They sent me home with an indwelling catheter for a few days then I had a nurse come in to teach me how to do intermittent catheters. I've been self cathing ever since. I can now pee a bit on my own, but then I have to cath the rest out because my residuals are too high. I was upset at first but now I hardly think about it, except when I have to go buy the supplies. Yikes. It costs me $1.30 every time I pee! That part sucks! The good news is that I haven't had a bladder infection since this all started. I am finally emptying my bladder properly, and I feel better about that.

I know this probably doesn't help, but I wanted to let you know that you're not alone. I am still hoping to recover some better bladder function. I am going to see a urologist in September. See what he has to say.

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• By darkcloud
• Posted July 14, 2008 at 5:00 pm

That does help! Thank you. My husband has had spinal surgery a few years ago to remove a tumor. The doctor that did the surgery said that it didn't effect his bladder function but I've had suspicions about it. Your story sounds very similar, especially the buckets (lol) of urine and the frustration with the nurse (sometimes they don't get it) to what we're going through and it helps to know that he's not alone.

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• By darkcloud
• Posted July 14, 2008 at 5:22 pm

Thank you Gracie for sharing your story it was especially encouraging to read your last sentence "I realized a long time ago, that I was not going to enjoy grand accomplishments - but the accomplishments I could enjoy would be grand to me!" Even though it's my husband going through this I feel his pain (emotionally). He alway says "to every Disadvantage there's an equal and opposite Advantage" So it's time to look for the advantage at this roadblock. Your reply helps me to focus on positive accomplishments!

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