Somatovisceral reflex - urine dribble
 

So here I go with an UNCOMFORTABLE subject. When my symptoms of TOS flair to the point of having spasms of muscles surrounding the area of posterior lower ribs, I have noticed that I have a slow urine dribble unrelated to laughing, coughing or lifting. When my neck, arm, upper and mid back symptoms subside, I do not have the urine dribble.

I do not have any lower back pain or symptoms in my legs. I do not have spinal stenosis in Cspine and my MRI was normal. I only have the symptoms of TOS, when they acutely flare, I get slow urine dribble. Disgusting! I am too young for Depends.
I am a bit confused because I only get the Dribble when I have a severe TOS flare.

I mentioned it to the second Chiropractor that fills in for the regular one on occasion. He said it sounds like a somatovisceral reflex.

So after a bit of research, here is what I found.

http://www.osteopatiaperbambini.it/f...icreflexes.pdf

I also found a syndrome even more unrecognized than TOS. It is called Pelvic Pain and Organic Dysfunction.

Does anyone else have experience with symptoms that seem unrelated to TOS, but occur only when TOS flares?

Sorry to hear about that. I do not have that problem but I do feel the need to go to the bathroom more often.

well, definitely makes me feel like a hypochondriac.

http://pklpt.com/diagnosing-your-pain/

So here is my understanding of how this could happen. C7 nerve root innervates Latissimus Dorsi. Lattissimus dorsi has attachements in the arm and pelvis. It is in same area as Thoracolumbar vertebrae. So C7 nerve root compression can irritate the lats causing the thoraco/lumbar vertebra to "Lock up" and compress those nerve roots some of which innervate pelvic organs.

It is a case of "all dem rattlin bones"

I have some mild IBS and urge to go #1 at times.
I think the IBS/sensitive gut was set off due to too much Ibuprofen at the start and while trying to keep working..I used to have a cast iron tummy...:rolleyes:

I think the bladder thing is just nervousness for me, I start thinking & worrying about it then have to go. :o

Jo*Mar,
I have had to stop taking tylenol, aleve and ibuprofen due to gastro side effects also. Are there any other medications that may be helpful in alleviating the pain?

I "dribble" when I have a flare, I also get a numb tushy area(trying to put it nicely). Thanks for posting this, I was starting to think I was losing it:)

I don't have the dribble, but I do get the tight and sometimes painful lat. Btw the tight lat can pull the shoulder down which can cause more compression. It's a conspiracy!

So you mention compression in your message above. The #1 thing that has helped my spinal compression is neither chiro nor PT. It's inversion. I do it every day at home and it's been quite helpful. My symptoms get worse when I stop doing it (out of laziness or forgetfulness). They get better when I do it on a regular basis.

If you search the forums for inversion or traction, you'll find my thread on it. You can also do just neck traction using a device, whether bought or homemade.

I highly recommend you try it out in some form or another. If you have questions, ask on the same thread dedicate to the topic and I'll be happy to answer.

Good luck.

I did take vitamins & supplements, and still do, but not as regularly as I used to. I'll list the main ones, I tried quite a few extra things for awhile..

a good brand therapeutic dose multi vitamin
magnesium - good for muscles
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
B complex - stress helper
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) - good for nearly everything
http://www.msm-info.com/
Grape seed extract

I definitely could tell positive difference when taking MSM during my first RSI recovery time. The as I recovered I quit taking it, and kind of forgot about it until months into my RSI/TOS injury...

In fact I think I need to start taking it again for overall health..I've been lax with all vitamins lately and I can feel it..

There might even be some new vitamins/supplements that I'm not aware of- we have a forum that is active & up to-date on that topic- and you might be able to get more specific suggestions for your situation/symptoms -
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum49.html

Supplements. Good idea. I already have over half of the ones you listed in my cupboard. They are antioxidants that protect against/help repair damage from low level radiation exposure.(received from medical imaging or flying). I had stopped taking them, because I had changed my diet to only nutrient dense foods. Since my injury imy eating habits/ diet has changed drasticly. Viscious cycle!

I had weakness in my legs because of the tight pec minor. I also had a hysterectomy - unknown cause of pain and small bladder sling to prevent such issues. That was 6 years ago. Have had tos for ten years. Also have IBS - constipation primarily. What came first the chicken or the egg, idk. Anyway, my boyfriend tells me I am a hypochondriac on a regular basis. Put an offer in on a house - gonna move out. You are not crazy. Have you has tos surgery yet?

No surgery yet...not even at diagnosis stage yet...
I am going to try for a referral to MGH, Boston. Dr.Donahue...He seems like the doc to go to...only a !little over an hours drive, but out of state...I'm sure to get denials from WC on this

What kind of insurance do you have? An hour is not too far away, so maybe he is or is willing to become a provider for your states insurance. Also, check to see what you can get done in state first - a vascular surgeon should be able to diagnose you, then you would to physical therapy for six months before you could have surgery, then you would get a nerve conduction test that includes the brachial plexus, and also looks at cubical tunnel and carpel tunnel. Then you have done your homework before you show up with no insurance. Also, most hospitals offer charity assistance or financial assistance.

To find out what states have expanded Medicaid go to www.kff.org - consider moving states? Lol....

Workers compensation

Ah, idk much about that. Sorry.