I haven't been here in a while - long story, travel, lots of fun, major flair, lots of prolonged misery and now better again.

I do have one question although I'm not having the problem right now. Weeks ago, I was having extreme trouble with me legs, stiffness to the point I thought they would absolutely break off my body and the pain was just unbelievable. I went to my GP and told her that I absolutely had to have pain medication or I was going to start drinking !!! After she stopped laughing, she did give me 2 prescriptions, one mild and one strong pain medication, however, about that time, the flair finally began to ease and fortunately I have had to take only a couple or 3 pills.

The week before I requested the pain meds, I went in for what I thought was a bladder infection - but - i had no infection. I was having so much pain and trouble urinating. I did, however, have a vaginal infection, but I have never had pain in my bladder with that.

It didn't occur to me at the time, but is it likely that the bladder situation was connected to the bad flair that I was in with my legs ???? I never did go see my Neuro - I should have - but that is a long story also.

Thanks in advance - I miss all of you,
Snoods

Wow, Snoodles! You've been through quite a lot, haven't you?

I'll bet you're right about the connection between the infection and the flare.

Glad yer back and feeling better!

Hi snoodles,
Nice to meet you.
I have had bladder spasms with flares that are very painful and it makes voiding painful and difficult. Yet no infection was present. I think you are right about the legs, bladder and flare being connected.

Any infection in the body, including yeast, can cause a worsening of symptoms too, IMO.
Lady


.

My neuro claims that yeast doesnt do anything to MS, but I just dont agree with him. I've had the yeastie beasties without a UTI and I always seem to have an increase in at least one symptom during that.

I swear, doctors really dont know what the side effects of the medications they give us are. Another neuro told me that steroids dont contribute to yeast, but I've heard from my regular doctor that steroids are like a tasty snack to the yeastie beasties.

I just recently had this happen. I didn't know that a bladder spasm could be so painful. It was like a charley horse in your bladder. But unlike those in my legs, which I can "work" out, this I couldn't work out nor did Advil help.

I didn't have an infection (bladder, kidney, or vaginal). What my PCP found was a very spastic and irritated bladder. (I do know, based on what my urologist told me I have neurogenic bowel and bladder). He gave me pyridium which worked fairly well in combination with a couple of Advil. I now keep the pyridium on hand.

Through all of that, I learned something. When a doctor asks if you have urinary frequency, it is better to tell them how many times you go in a day. Going 5 times in the morning plus I don't know how many times in the p.m., is actually considered urinary frequency. I passed that little tidbit on to my neuro. LOL

Hope you start feeling better soon!

Wow Snood I hope you feel better soon that sounds painful!

I saw a urologist for this problem. Nothing out of the ordinary except it seems like the bladder is spasming. I wake up in pain because of it. During the day is not much of a problem. I go to the bathroom every couple of hours, whether or not it feels like I have to. Helps both the pain and my problems of retaining.

I was advised by my PCP to get those AZO strips for the home testing of UTIs. He said it was exactly the same as what they use at the office. Seems pricey until you consider copays for the doc visits and lab testing. Saved me at least one trip when I thought an infection might have been brewing.

Hope you feel better soon.

i've had yeast and havn't had any MS problems.

however, i would run this by your neuro, maybe get an exam.
it's possible that c-spine lesions can cause bladder problems and sx's with your legs. when was your last mri?

i'm glad you're feeling better but please call your dr.

I have had the bladder spasms and UTIs both and it is very, very difficult to differentiate between the two.

The next time it happens I am going to buy the strips and check. I have a prescription from a urologist for Prosed but my PC hates for me to take it until I am checked for a UTI. The Prosed colors the urine so it is difficult to see blood, etc. I hate going in if a simple few days of a pill will take care of it.

"Prosed/DS is a urinary antiseptic, urinary acidifier, analgesic, and anticholinergic combination. It works by helping to kill bacteria in the urine, decreasing pain and inflammation, and reducing muscle spasms in the urinary tract. These actions work together to help relieve discomfort while urinating."

I had this for years before my MS dx and when the test for UTI would come back negative my PC at the time said I had enough UTIs to know the symptoms so he would start me on an anibiotic anyways. GRRRR..

Thanks for all the comments about my bladder questions.

I do apologize for being so late in responding - just been a busy time.
I have not had any pain for weeks with my bladder but if I do so, next time I will contact my Neuro and discuss with her.

Also - I did not know about AZO strips for the home testing of UTIs !!! Next time (if this occurs again) I will get those and do some home tests first to see if it looks like it could indeed be an infection. It honestly felt exactly like an infection with the pain and urgency so I was truly shocked that nothing showed up.

I also, sometimes amaze myself when I don't put 2 and 2 together and at least question the connection. My legs were giving me absolute FITS at the very same time so in hindsight - it makes sense that it may have been connected and at the very least I should have checked with my Neuro.

Live and learn.

Thanks again for taking the time to read and respond to my question.

Snoodles...