back pain and can't pee.

[Sweetsecret]

Hi everyone, wondered if anyone could shed some light.
I was taken into hospital this morning with horrendous sciatica pain, but the reason I went in was my bladder was full to bursting and I can't wee. I had two bladder scans and they fitted a catheter to drain my bladder and gave me a tonne of muscle relaxants and pain killers to help my back.
They sent me home saying to come back if I still couldn't pee on my own and to drink loads. I have drank about three pints of water so far and still can't wee. they have no idea why I can't. I am panicking as my legs feel quite weak and obviously not being able to go to the toilet is worrying. has anyone any experience of this?

How are you doing Sweet? Along with the other posters I would be concerned that they are considering discharging you without any valid explanation for your symptoms. It is not normal for previously fit Young women (assuming this is what you are) to develop urinary retention. The back pain does suggest that it is related to a problem with the back and nerves rather than the bladder itself.

Your scan needs to be reviewed by a neuro radiologist. cauda equina syndrome caused by disc prolapse is usually pretty obvious but there are other conditions with more subtle findings on MRI that need to be excluded.

Please keep posting

Hi I am home now, doing well. bladder retention has stopped so haven't needed a catheter for two days, getting physio for my back. But they believe that the tapped nerve in my back caused me to be constipated, I was on codine which made it worse, the constipation was the cause of the bladder retention. had laxitives as soon as I opened my bowls I started to wee again.
So, I. managed to empty my bladder from 560 to 35 mls today, so that is all working again now.
just.a bit stiff, the muscle relaxants have helped the back and I just need physio to help strengthen my muscles around my spine as MRI showed deterioration of my disks so I need to keep it strong otherwise I could end up with compacted disks in the future.
all in all a horrible week, but they were amazing and I am feeling tonnes better.
thanks you for all the good wishes.x

Oh and I was seen by Neuro surgery, urologist, physio, orthopedic depts so everything mentioned was ruled out. They were very thorough.x

Brilliant, such good news. Hope you are pain controlled now and the bowels moving.

Yep thanks to laxitives EVERYTHING is moving! lol.
I was so worried for a while that I was going to end up with a permanent catheter but all is good.
Best part is my skin looks amazing as I have drank nothing but gallons of water of the last week. ;) I am sure I will back on my feet properly in no time.
Have the number for the ward if I need anything. phew.x

Fantastic news!

Excellent news op
I was in a&e for the same reasons recently and they did an MRI straight away. I didn't have it either. My urine retention was down to my painkillers but no one made the link.

Did the school run this morning, my god it was hard work like walking through treacle.
Physio said I need to keep moving to get my nerves back to normal, still can't feel much in my legs but am getting around, just.
Felt like I had run a marathon after a half mile walk this morning!

Glad things have improved. Maybe the school run is still a bit far? Do feel free to join us on the back pain thread if you would like to join in with other back sufferers.

thanks Matilda, it has got easier over the week so managing okay now. unfortunately didn't have much choice as I am on my own, so had no one else to do school run, it was difficult for a few days but by today I found it much easier.