Lisa- Tshadow {TOS forum} had very serious bladder issues due to meds. Went to ER a couple of times and now she must drink much water and go every 2 hrs {last I heard anyway} to avoid infections.

Lisa,

I had a similar bladder problem last year; this probably doesn't apply to you, but here's what happened with me. I had the exact same thing, you go, sit there and just have to wait till it decides to happen...I could be waiting minutes, sometime. Problem was, I didn't even know how to describe it - everything I looked at was about not being able to go at all, or going too much...and I couldn't think of a way to describe the "sit there till it decides to come out" thingy.

Well, turns out that it's a symptom of spinal stenosis (probably other things too) which I have. The doc said "Oh, urinary hesitancy!" Aha, I thought, that's what you call it! He didn't prescribe anything, said to wait a while, it'll probably resolve itself, come back if it doesn't. It did, but overall it lasted maybe 4 - 5 months, no problem since. No pain with it, or discomfort - just annoying and inconvenient.

BTW, looked it up on the net after I got home and yes, it's listed as a symptom of SS - one of those medical issues where you can't find the answer till you know the right question to ask! Or..you can't get the answer till you know the answer

Anyway, maybe this helps, at least you know what it's called now
all the best.

Hi Lisa!

Well the Topamax can cause bladder stones, very painfull, and they lead to blocking the flow of things. Plus Pat is right about SS too. Then there is the one that gave me problems that I didnt realize until I came off pain meds.

Opiates caused me to have that delayed response thing, like sometimes it would take seemingly forever. As Pat said, minutes even.

That is the life with RSD

Dang! You guys and girls are so smart! I just looked up urinary hesitancy, and lthat is the PERFECT definition. No, doesn't hurt, doesn't ANYTHING, but yeah..it's bothersome. My SO will say, "What the heck are you DOING in there?" LOL! He doesn't believe me when I tell him I'm going #1 - he thinks I'm in there to do #2 15 times a day. LOL!

I never knew this. Thank you ALL!

YIPPEE! I'M NOT WEIRD! I'M NOT WEIRD! I'M NOT WEIRD! I'M NOT WEIRD!

I had the same problem. My bladder would be so full it was painful but I still could not urinate. This happened to me two times in my life. Both times I had been prescribed Elavil and after taking just one pill. Perhaps it could be your meds. Regards, Lil

Hi Rosie,

Is your scalp tight? Hugs, Roz

I noticed a peculiar absence of hair in my lower, right leg- the original site of trauma. The opposite shin area has also lost some hair. Hmm.

I have always lost a lot of hair from my head. Think it might be my stress level. 5 kids 10 and under, RSD, etc. could be a tad stressful-lol. However, since my RSD has progressed, the hair on my lower leg, near my original RSD site has completely stopped growing. Now, I wouldn't complain about not having to shave, but I understand that the other effects don't really make it worth it. My doctor said to expect changes in the hair growth, and that was one of the first things he asked about when making my diagnosis. Hope you get it all figured out. Whether it's meds or the illness, you should probably talk to your doctor just to put your mind at ease. Good luck!

AM

Allen: I have a few ?'s about Topamax? I have been on this med for a very long time. Now that I have been reading this post about hair loss and skin shedding things are starting to fianally come together. I have all the above sx,also the problems with the bladder. Now that it is summer and when I go out into the sun-(even with sunblock on) my skin peels and sheed's like I am some kind of reptile or like a snake does! It is starting to really freak me out! Do you know is there any other med than Topamax that I can take so I do not have these problems? Also I am wondering about what happen's when you stop taking Topamax,do you have to drop down slowly? I am sure that you do. I have been on 200mg two times a day for over 7 years now. If anyone can give me any input I would really be one happy woman

Are you on topamax for the rsd pain or migraines? I am sorry I don't remember so if you have said that in the past. Have you tried med like neurontin? I have rsd in my legs but my eye/ear pain was getting so extreme and was causing migraines and crying pain. Due to that I can't loose weight my doc said no to the topamax and started the neurontin.
Now onto the shedding and hair. About 1.5 years ago right before my severe dry eye/bleph I developed a scalp that was so itchy/unreal dandruff and my skin was shedding in clumps I mean everywhere. For the skin/hair issue I went to a derm who rx steriod shampoo which helped so much with my hair and the skin I use just otc cream but seemed after a long time 6 months to be doing a lot better though I am still dry and have flakes but not chunks of skin. Now recently and I had thought it was due to Cymbalta as I read that my hair was coming out in clumps but that seems to have settled as well and I have not changed meds.
I know I am not much help just some thoughts