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Original poster

Bladder and bowel probs - doctor's appointment?

198 replies

ScarletFaced · 15/08/2021 11:48

Name changed for this because I am too embarrassed!

For about the last 2 weeks I've been having big issues with bladder and bowel control. I haven't experienced this previously and at first I thought maybe I had a stomach upset, but I don't actually feel that it is.

I don't get any warning when I need to "go", have to dash to the toilet and sometimes haven't been able to make it in time.

Very occasionally I don't feel properly till it happens - like this morning, I didn't feel the urge until it was already happening Blush

I was kind of putting up with it till I realised I've been getting up in the night 5+ times to go, constantly having to run to the loo at work, etc. And it is getting me down.

Is it silly to book a doctor's appointment for this? The next one I can get is in 4 weeks anyway, so it will probably have stopped by then!

Is there something I can do? I'm so embarrassed and I feel like I can't tell anyone!

OP posts:
HeReWeGoAgAiN1112 · 15/08/2021 17:31

I’m Pleased to hear you are being looked after.

Original poster
ScarletFaced · 15/08/2021 18:14

Now I have been told that the on-call neurology person will speak to me before I leave and explain what they're doing or looking for.

Ultrasounds are done now, but I had to drink a load of water before and it didn't end well - you can probably imagine. I was SO embarrassed Sad

OP posts:
Tempusfudgeit · 15/08/2021 18:21

I expect they're wanting to rule out MS. Hoping for good news for you xx

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KaptainKaveman · 15/08/2021 18:22

Aah don't worry OP, they've seen it all before. The most important thing is that you're being seen and investigated. Good luck Smile

IncessantNameChanger · 15/08/2021 18:37

Good luck. I had a MRI last week for buzzing/ vibrating in my legs. I also get carpel tunnel every night.

I hope you find out what is wrong soon

Original poster
ScarletFaced · 15/08/2021 18:51

@IncessantNameChanger I hope you find out what's wrong soon too - that sounds more than a bit troublesome!

I've now got an MRI (head) and lumbar puncture booked for tomorrow, I just had confirmed. Also just learned that the ultrasound was "unremarkable" and my bloods have come back normal, not showing any infection or inflammation. So that seems like good news!

I'm now just waiting for the on-call neurologist and then I will be able to go home. I'm quite exhausted, not having expected this to be quite so lengthy and not having had good sleep lately (too many toilet trips in the night!).

Thanks everyone for the support today Smile

OP posts:
QueenStromba · 15/08/2021 18:56

Are you waking up to wee or poo? If it's to wee then ask the neurologist if they'll give you a prescription for desmopressin to take before bed - is a synthetic version of anti diuretic hormone. They mostly give it to kids for bed wetting but it's also been approved for nocturia (excessive nighttime weeing) in adults under the brand name Nocdurna.

IncessantNameChanger · 15/08/2021 18:57

My gp suspects tethered spinal cord. But from I know about that ( read it lots as a few of the kids have mild spina bifuda) I cant see it myself. I'm quite overweight and it came on when I started religiously doing 10k steps a day.

Saying that it's also come on since having covid and my vaccination as a few odd nerve related things have happened but that's probably just coincidence

Original poster
ScarletFaced · 15/08/2021 19:02

The waking up to wee happens every night - and it's so irritating! I'll wake up at, say 2am, needing to wee, just get back off to sleep and then need to wee again. I know it sounds like a silly thing, but it's really annoying.

Waking up to pop doesn't happen so often, but it did today (at about 4am and then I kept needing to go again and again) and it did one day earlier in the week too. But it is less of an issue!

OP posts:
Original poster
ScarletFaced · 15/08/2021 19:03

*poo not pop. So far I haven't exploded at night!

OP posts:
YukoandHiro · 15/08/2021 19:03

Sorry but this is an a&e situation - it can be a sign of a small stroke

QueenStromba · 15/08/2021 19:06

@ScarletFaced

The waking up to wee happens every night - and it's so irritating! I'll wake up at, say 2am, needing to wee, just get back off to sleep and then need to wee again. I know it sounds like a silly thing, but it's really annoying.

Waking up to pop doesn't happen so often, but it did today (at about 4am and then I kept needing to go again and again) and it did one day earlier in the week too. But it is less of an issue!

It's really not a silly thing at all, it's actual torture. I don't make enough ADH and before I was medicated it was weeing 2-3 times an hour during the day and several times overnight. I was a complete wreck by the time I got my diagnosis.
YukoandHiro · 15/08/2021 19:07

Oh sorry I've just seen you're already waiting for neurology - it's stroke or MS they're looking for, glad they've done the tests promptly for you

YukoandHiro · 15/08/2021 19:07

Sure it won't be anything as serious OP, but good they're ruling all that out first. Let us know how you get on xx

FinallyHere · 15/08/2021 19:16

I'm so glad you are being taken seriously.

The stats about how many women suffer urinary and/or bowel incontinence, and men, too who suffer in silence thinking that there is nothing to be done.

Even if any serious condition can be ruled out, there are lots of things that can be done to manage the situation.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-incontinence/

www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-incontinence/

Original poster
ScarletFaced · 15/08/2021 20:13

I've just seen the neurologist, who explained to me what they're checking. MS is the main thing, because apparently bladder problems are quite common, but also because the numb and tingly fingers and the muscle spasms and "dead leg" I get sometimes could be related.

The neurologist thinks my bladder and bowel are getting too many signals, and that's what is making me need to go to the toilet all the time. There isn't any signs of infection or inflammation or any physiological problem on the ultrasound.

They've now gone to put together a prescription for me (for loperamide to slow things down and something to stop me waking up at night to wee, I think it is the same thing that pp kindly mentioned). And then it'll be back again tomorrow.

I'm feeling quite tired and quite upset because I'd not suspected this even a little (I didn't really know MS caused this kind of issue to be honest and the things like blurry vision, the leg spasms I get and the numb fingers I always just assumed it was "modern life" and everyone got that). The neurologist did say there are other possibilities - and that these days there are very good treatments. But I feel a bit shellshocked even though it may be nothing and I'm very tired. And I still keep needing to wee and I'm scared I'll have another accident on the way home. Moan moan moan, sorry - I am just tired and a bit worn out with everything. Don't even want to talk to my friends or family yet because I'm embarrassed and somehow I feel like if I will make it more likely to be something serious if I tell them!

OP posts:
WetWeekends · 15/08/2021 20:17

I hope you get the all clear OP. Maybe ask the nurses if you can have a pad to wear for the way home in case you do have an accident.

CornishTiger · 15/08/2021 20:21

Gosh what a turn around in a day for you. Take some time to process it but glad you were seen.

IncessantNameChanger · 15/08/2021 20:23

Try not to worry to.much at this stage. I think my symptoms did fit MS as well. But you dont know anything much right now.

The lumber puncture should show more. I was in hospital a few months ago and they wanted to do a lumber puncture. It didnt sound much worse than a epidural which I have found painless.

Deep breaths. Go home and try to control what you know and park what you can.

Pack a change of clothes or two, a easy book, battery pack for your phone, ear phones, snacks etc for tomorrow.

That might help you feel a bit more in control and be distracting.

YukoandHiro · 15/08/2021 20:25

Really glad you're in the system and being checked properly OP, even though it's a shock to you this evening.

Make sure you get yourself into a comfy bed and try to get some rest tonight. At least you may have some answers tomorrow.

Is there anyone at all you can call just for some moral support?

AntiSocialDistancer · 15/08/2021 20:28

If nothing else they are treating you with exceptional care - you've seen all the right people today and got good tests coming up. Fat lot of good wishing you a good nights sleep tonight I suppose. I hope you can find an adequate distraction if nothing else Wine

Original poster
ScarletFaced · 15/08/2021 20:58

They certainly have. Truthfully, I think I was fortunate with the first doctor, the Out of Hours GP guy. I think even if I had got a same day appointment with my own GP they'd have called me up, said it's "probably an infection" and prescribed some antibiotics!

I've got my prescription and just about to head home. A lovely nurse came to see me while I was waiting for the prescription and brought me some pads - kind of heavy-duty ones so I can be a bit better protected in case of accidents!

Just going to go home, throw together some stuff to take tomorrow and try to get some rest if not sleep. I noticed that the whole of Downton is on Netflix! And I might call my best mate from uni, since it's just me at home till Wednesday and I'm not sure how I'm feeling about solitude!

And I'd better remember to let work know I won't be in tomorrow, come to think of it!!

OP posts:
KaptainKaveman · 15/08/2021 21:48

Good luck, OP Flowers

sprinkleyumnut · 15/08/2021 21:56

Good luck OP, even if it is MS they can help you

Original poster
ScarletFaced · 15/08/2021 22:26

I just really don't want it to be MS Sad I watched that movie about the cellist lady as a kid and it really freaked me out. (Despite the fact that I've actually known people who have MS since and I realise that it's rare to affect you like that!)

Hoping for a better night's sleep, but it might be a vain hope!!

OP posts: