Multiple Sclerosis Bladder Issues

[@crackerbarrelfan4536]

I recently had a bladder stimulator implanted. It is the best decision I ever made. I went from waking up every hour at night to waking up every three to five hours. That is a dramatic improvement that I am so grateful to have. It's only been a few weeks, so I am still working on the correct setting for my device. I am so glad that my MS specialist sent me to a urologist who specializes in MS.

[@sydneydrake2789]

Glad to hear that!

[@debraindxb]

Wow, didn't know there was such a thing! Happy to hear you're getting more rest :)

[@PsychoKittee1]

Reasons other than helpful MS info to like Dr. Boster... 1. River 2. He says Pop.

[@grinch4567]

What’s River?

[@lemonpeelangelfish]

@@grinch4567 his dog 🐕

[@grinch4567]

@@lemonpeelangelfish Oh!! Thank you 😊

[@barbaradonofrio]

Speaks very straitforwardly

[@EvenSoItIsWell]

Thanks Dr. Boster. Excellent topic. Would you consider having a pelvic floor PT on as a guest to chat about the exercises we can do to strengthen those muscles?

[@kelly-bo-belly]

💕💕 THIS!!

[@javafiendx9428]

There is one from 3 years ago that came up in my playlist.

[@TheresaMadame]

Brilliant suggestion!

[@Sbannmarie298]

PLEASE!

[@elainer8288]

Excellent!😊

[@barbaradonofrio]

Speaks very straightforwardly. Loved seeing River!❤

[@taralovell5055]

The pills didn’t work for me, but Bladder Botox was life changing, I have it every 5 months, and I highly recommend!!!

[@SaeedJubran]

Several methods have been used to relieve constipation, but they have not worked. I finally found relief after walking 5000 steps a day and doing leg exercises.

[@crumcake3]

I definitely having this problem. It is annoying when I travel and go out for more than 3-4 hours.

[@icyklown]

Thank you Dr. Boster. When I tell people I have to cath daily, they CRINGE HARD. But, they don't understand just how miserable I was. Hell, I didn't realize how miserable I was. I digress, bit what you said about the freedom... it makes me feel like a member of society. :)

[@Sbannmarie298]

“I can crush beer cans with my lady parts.” 😆

[@tammycondray1149]

I’ve been doing intermittent self-catherization for several years. It is a game changer!!

[@kelly-bo-belly]

I just want to say thank you because I have tried to find a specialist that can give advice on this. Multiple specialists and no tips except wear a diaper or take the OTC med. 😑 Total lack of effort to even think about this.

[@pamelcakes04]

This video was so helpful. I am almost 100% sure I have MS. This has been a huge problem recently. I am learning so much through your videos. It doesn't seem as scary anymore. Plus your pups pretty cute too. Thank you.

[@lorrainejohnson829]

Dr B i love your talks AND ur doggie too 😁

[@julieb737]

I’ve never understood this but I’m the idiot who gets retention and urgency . This last year I also go AT LEAST once thru the night . I used to self Catheritise but don’t now as I was plagued with bladder infections . Going to try the timing of voids to see if this helps . I don’t drink coffee much and rarely drink alcohol any more . I try to drink fluids more more but unfortunately as I feel bad a lot of the time I do struggle to drink enough . Push myself tho as constipation is another problem . Thank you for the video .

[@mitziechrisman7040]

Love River and so thankful you are my doctor.

[@MistressKarma6969]

My mother said the same thing about uping my water. And my doc was kinda rude and said it wouldn't help really. Ty doc for all u do.

[@sallyfrench-c6k]

After knee surgery I went home same day. Due to weakness and still under side effects from anesthesia possibly I passed out at home next day. Was taken to hospital by ambulance. Dr decided I would continue recovering at nursing rehab. Well I have MS but could walk prior except for painful knee. Could still walk prior to nursing rehab then 2 months later after nursing rehab stay I lost 40 lbs and can barely move and can't walk. PT said I lost 50% of muscle. Now full of spasticity from lack of movement at nursing rehab care or lack of. Went home and started PT. After 9 months of PT I can now at least use walker but limited time up. Use wheelchair if needing to go to Dr. Using toilet again has not happened due to weakness in legs. Getting into walk-in shower first time last week. Weakness and spasticity in legs is main problem now. Strengthening of arms was also necessary prior to using walker. Not on any meds. Was diagnosed at 28 in 1979. Now 73. Neurologist said I would do fine and better life with knee surgery. Nursing facility seems to be what took me down. Any suggestions to further my recovery. Thank you for your program.

[@dougtagg9162]

Thank you for the Monday morning video. Always important as I chug and hug my jug of water and black coffee in hand, as always from Lyndhurst.

[@terrimoore8962]

Thank you Dr Boster for all you do !! You are the most helpful Doctor and you explain these topics so well !! ❤️❤️❤️

[@elizabethgrizo9956]

Thank you for this video because this has been an issue but I could not get any answers {my neurologist retired & my current neurologist has been so bombarded with many patients he is hard to get a hold of}

[@desiredecove5815]

Excellent video Doc, the explanations of why always help us understand the reasoning behind the problem or fix. I’ve upped my water game since following you- many other changes made and I can’t begin to tell you how thankful I am that your my neurologist. I feel stronger and have more clarity in life. #StrongerTogether #SharingisCaring❤

[@robertthaler2390]

I have been self-catheterizing for some time now. As some have said, it was a life-changer. After a bit of time, it is no big deal..However, there are two important things about self-catheterizing. The first is hygiene. You have make your hands and the site bacteria free. This is not so easy when you are in a public washroom. If you get careless, you will pick up the dreaded UTI. I am prone to them anyways so the doctor prescribed for a me a daily prophylactic anti-biotic. The second important thing is lubrication. When I was learning to do it, my instructor had obviously never tried it on herself because she gave me terrible advice on lubrication. I endured such pain for a couple of days that I had to stop. It was months later before a new urologist set me straight: get pre-lubricated catheters. They are more expensive but they work.

[@SMjeffkameny3711]

Thank you Doctor for addressing this issue in detail. .This has been one my major issues since my diagnosis and all that was done was a prescription of Trospium without the information....thank you sir

[@lynda777]

SPC catheter/bag for years. Since I’m allergic to Latex, silicone is required and that is difficult for even urologists to change. I have to get Botox treatments to prevent flooding. I have no indication of bladder signaling.

[@andreawheatley5528]

Great topic, I have times, where I have to run to the bathroom, or an accident! Or times when my bladder feels full but very little comes out. It’s a subject my doctor doesn’t discuss.

[@karenstoppel7727]

Dr. B...I now get Botox and it works so well!

[@stefanna3104]

This was such a great video, thank you for sharing! I constantly get UTI’s, I do take microbid post coital however I don’t understand why we are so prone to this right after. I’m going to try a PT therapist.

[@phileseselden7802]

Hold on I'll watch this after I go pee 🤣🤣🤣

[@mariekeoosterom8793]

Thanks for yet another very informative video Dr. Boster! My MS causes bladder retention. For me it was sometimes painful to pee bc the urine had to squeeze through that spasmed up tiny straw. It's entirely under control now since I got help from a pelvic floor therapist. One of the first things she did was tell me to stop drinking so much water. I was chucking 2 to 3 liters of water next to coffee, tea, fruit, veggies etc. So you can overdo it 😅 next to that relaxation exercises especially helped me.

[@hugohenrique8271]

Ive had extreme abdominal pain for the past year since my last big relapse, my ms team cant figure out why, weirdly this very week they've suggested its possibly uti/bladder issues. I have been struggling with peeing since my relapse despite drinking several litres of water each day, my scans have shown my bladder to be overly full, but until this week no one had suggested its my bladder causing the abdominal pain. Very spooky you posted this today, maybe its a sign, roll on wednesday when im having uti tests as part of my relapse clinic visit - maybe there's brighter days on the horizon and this year of pain might finally be at a positive end. Thanks always for your advice.

[@BenLeitch]

Better to try and not than not try and do. A great video from which to learn. Thank you Doctor Boster.

[@andrewreisinger6860]

Yes! I use all of the above. Oxybutinyn, Flomax, water, and self catheterization. Only worry about becoming too reliant (psychologically) on the catheterization and eventually doing some damage to the urethra because possible scar tissue build-up.

[@pedrodacostapinto]

Thanks!! Always improving MSers day!

[@AaronBosterMD]

Glad to hear it!

[@SB-mf5em]

I have been self catheterising since 2015. Took me some time to get on with it but once I learned to do it without a mirror it was all go! Also useful for urge incontinence - nothing to do with ms , all due to having big babies!!

[@cherylvl1036]

Howdy River!!

[@roberture5903]

Thank you for doing this video and I'm really trying to up my water game like you recommend and it's actually starting to help.

[@marybethcully5883]

Wonder if anyone else, like me when my bladder is full I find it difficult to hold as I move. It’s a joke in my family that I often stop any time I have access to a bathroom…never pass up an opportunity!😂

[@j.y.8]

This is great beneficial info!! Thanks Dr.B!! You have the sweetest doggy🐕💕

[@AaronBosterMD]

Thank you so much!

[@donalpaccio4233]

Hello Dr Boster, thank you so very much for this video. The bladder subject is very sensitive 🥺 for me and I don't dare to share it with anyone as I've done my best to live with it and to normalize some things. I've been diagnosed since November 2021 but my first flareup took place during the summer 2018. I'm just 29 years old and since 8 years now I've observed the frequency in my peeing needs. Since 2 last years I'm able to wake up twice during the night to go to pee even if it's small quantities. When I'm relaxed I'm able to hold it up to 3h during the day but I'm trying not to pass 2h. Depending on what I eat such as fruits and coffee and porridge and white bread I know that for the next 1,5h it's better for me to have an access to the toilet. I've made a step to ask for an neurourologist appointment. Your video ensures me that everything that I'm experiencing for many years now isn't that uncommon and is rather "normal" for MS. Thank you very much for creating all of the MS content from a doctor point of view. I feel well informed since the beginning of my diagnosis thanks to your videos. Dr Boster, you're truly the best. Greets from Paris

[@susanroper6287]

Thank you so much for all you do Dr Boster, you are amazing 💫

[@michele-kt]

I just recently found your channel. It's wonderful! Thank you for these super helpful videos!

[@teacherbecca526]

I suffer from almost all of these issues and, early on, with UTIs. I take D-Mannose supplements every day and, while I still struggle with continence issues, I have not had a UTI in years. D-Mannose is just a fructose pill so I haven’t had problems with it conflicting with any of my medications.

[@elainer8288]

Excellent tips! Thank you! What an adorable dog! 😍

[@gwendolyn5492]

Thank you for this video! Excellent information. Your cat and dog are adorable!!

[@kaym9882]

As always, you are awesome. Thank you for your advocacy 😇

[@hilarykerr7383]

Thank you for your useful information.👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@yolandepersico8339]

Thank you, Dr. Boster, for explaining this in ways I can understand. One important question: If I drink a tea with my breakfast can that count in place of a water? I will drink the cup water after my breakfast to have that be second cup for day. This is a tough learning process for me as I've had incontinence problem for over 2 years now. Usually I am home most of time now as I have to get to toilet within 20 minutes after I drink anything. I've cut back on sugar intake too.

[@julieadams5389]

Please can you direct me to a video that explains all about constipation issues. Than you.

[@MatidaJane]

Wonderful video. Shared on FB.

[@annaconsta]

Thank you so much! I didn't know there are pills for bladder retention! I hope they are available in my country, I must look into it.

[@aprilvannewkirk8761]

Kegel exercises have helped me a lot.

[@belmakanlic1113]

Thanks for the video dr. B, it is made for me! I recognized myself in lots of issues you mentioned. My overactive bladder is now much much better thanks to Mirabegron. I no longer dread of going outside where there is no bathroom. However, post-sex UTI are killing me. I've always had them, honeymoon cistitis, but once I realized what was causing them (sex) I was able to prevent them by drinking loads of d-mannose and cranberry products. However, after starting with Ocrelizumab, cranberry no longer helped, only d-mannose. And after I started taking Mirabegron, nothing helps except post-coital antibiotic. Did you have patients that somehow managed to overcome this problem? I'm only 36, I don't want to give up on sex with my husband, and right now, it seems that taking antibiotic is the only solution... How long until I become immune to certain antibiotic :(

[@yolandepersico8339]

Is Mirabegron a prescription med? So far I haven't had success with my overactive bladder from any med or even bladder training to time how often I need to get to a bathroom.

[@raynesummercorn2961]

I knew i loved you but having just seen River, I adore you a little bit more . Thank-you so much for your info videos I viwe every Monday much appreciated all the way from uk 🇬🇧 I've had MS since 1990 and doing extremely well but as of late my legs are stiff and painful especially when walking. I have been prescribed Baclofen but reluctant to take them. I am now reconsidering that given my current circumstances do you agree? thanks Rayne Summercorn 🇬🇧🐶

[@sydneydrake2789]

"MS since 1990" ...A doctor suggested my optic neuropathy was MS in 1990, but later said, "nah, other tests say no". I've moved around since then, seen different doctors, and I forgot the conversation--until I was diagnosed officially this year. So I use Baclofen. It's not great, but it helps me a bit. I take it when I wake up and after dinner, too. It relaxes tension in my legs, but if I sit down for a bit I want to nod off. I forgot to take some this morning before heading to the pool and noticed my workout was less effective. My legs seemed even less cooperative than I expected. They were off doing their own thing?! but often not kicking when I swam so I switched to walking laps. It's after dinner I really want the help. My feet and legs get super sensitive. They also spasm and twitch and it's uncomfortable until the Baclofen kicks in. It's subtle. No one around me is aware, but it feels maddening. I take some Baclofen just before going for a pedicure. Try as hard as I might, my feet flail when she works on them. Best of luck to you in finding the right tools to muddle through!

[@paisbeyer7122]

I’ve been taking Baclofen tid for about a month. It has helped with my TN and overall I’m able to stretch more. The sleepy side effects have faded away for me. I also had Tysabri infusion #2 today. I was just diagnosed May of 2022 but now the doctors believe I had my first attack at age 22 and I’ll be 45 this month.

[@pinkiedee]

Thank you for this.

[@AaronBosterMD]

My pleasure!

[@DoctorGretchenHawley]

Thank you for sharing on a topic that some may find uncomfortable to talk about! It's such valuable information!

[@AaronBosterMD]

Thank you! It's an important topic to NOT shy away from IMO

[@pnooom]

I have both retention and urgency. I've been self catheterising for years and don't hesitate to recommend it. I've also had bladder Botox which has meant that catheterising is the only way I can pee. The thing is, I'm completely dependent on my catheters but i haven’t had the Botox for years. The effects of the Botox must have lasted 5 years or more and seem pretty unreversible to me now. I don’t have a problem with that but I have had supply-side problems with the catheter company which has reached near emergency status on a couple of occasions (I ran out of catheters and physically couldn't pee). It's all sorted now, thankfully, but I do worry about the catheter supply in case of a zombie apocalypse etc. I tend to order a few more than I actually need so I do have an emergency supply stashed away.

[@robertthaler2390]

I have been catheterizing for some time and just this last while have had issues with supply. The place I get them said they could only send me a partial shipment and these were the last in their warehouse! Their supplier had run out. It all got sorted out before it got urgent but it has taught me to keep a good supply on hand.

[@busygirl4474]

Thank you Dr Boster!! You are amazing!! Such helpful videos!! Anyone with MS needs to watch these videos!

[@AaronBosterMD]

Wow, thank you!

[@giordi2776]

"..it can lead to people not leaving the house for fear of [having incontinence in public]" ooooooh Doc, that zoom-in edit like, 'Yeah, that's right - I'm talking to you' lol I felt that more than the need to pee ... Which is way too much 😂 Thank you for the always amazing info!!! Seriously so appreciative of all the work that you put into this channel and each of your videos!

[@AaronBosterMD]

Thank you! (I don't think folks often realize it takes several hours, say 3-8 hr, to edit a 5-8min video!)

[@caroserwan8190]

Hi Dr.B. First of all I'd like to thank you for all your explanations and advice. I'd like to ask you a question related to the topic of "water challenge": Does it have to be water? Or it can be some other liquid, like camomille or mint? I personally hate drinking water and I'm looking for some alternative.

[@juliashirokova2460]

Thank you

[@Alexandra9001]

Hi doc! Thank you for this topic! I'm currently being diagnosed and would have few questions 🤔. I wonder whether and where I can ask them 🤔? Ps, absolutely love your videos! 💓

[@MatidaJane]

Love River.

[@kinglewis4672]

Thank You 😢😢😢

[@shanelong4524]

My neurologist practitioner knows you 😮. Sara Hunter is her name.

[@kristinahuffman8354]

I've never had a UTI. I go when I first get up say around 11am. But the. No go until I go to bed. At about 11pm. I'm lucky if I go 2x a day. I know that it's not good. ?? Help

[@krolle8832]

I have both Need the advice cause right now I woke up wet up with urine

[@lemonpeelangelfish]

Thank you Dr Boster as always such awesome content 😊 and aww River is such a lovely dog 💖 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@AaronBosterMD]

Thanks for watching!

[@Haghenveien]

I have retention and urgency. Nicturia as well, having to go 3 times most of the nights (that's an improvement, because at certain moment, I was going 5-6 times). I take Mirabegron and Pygeum africanum. The last one, because I tried Tamsulosin and it wasn't pretty. Doctor told me that might experience some dizziness if I stood up fast, but for me it was very strong dizziness and disorientation, I almost fainted in the middle of the street. So quite scary. My therory, is that the doctor was used to prescribe this drug to men of certain age, that usually are overweight and have some degree of hypertension. I'm a 55 kg woman with hypotension. So quite a different scenario.

[@markdennes]

Exostosis and flaky skin is this a side effect of my MS?

[@mollywest3087]

Does incontinence occur on a spectrum or is it all-or-nothing?

[@Nancy-dz1vo]

Thank you!

[@aspensugar13]

I feel like I have to pee often. But I can't pee. It started years back but now it's to the point it takes up to 15 min to try and relax and only pee a dribble. Haven't had a full stream in a couple years or more. Its very painful at times and feels like my bladder is a wet rag being twisted really bad with very sharp pains. I have endometriosis in that area along with ic and ms. So not sure what causes it. Pretty sure the twisting severe pain is from ic but not sure what causes me to not be able to pee. Ive had a child too but I would think of having a baby caused it then it would have started not long after but it didnt. I wish I could pee. Even if just peeing on myself. I take baclofen and its the only thing that even helps me dribble. Without baclofen I couldn't even dribble. I have to take urine drug test every 28 days for my meds I'm on. Its frustrating. Ill drink two full bottles of water up to two hours before the test and sometimes I still can't pee. Its so embarrassing not being able to pee for the test at times. Also due to all the crazy pain med relief rules with guidelines now my pain management won't prescribe my baclofen anymore. But thankfully my other doctor does. Otherwise I would be screwed. Baclofen helps me so much. I have systemic lupus, ms, ic, endometriosis, treated graves disease, severe joint pain and damage like RA so I have intractable pain that's severe. So have to have pain relief. Its hard though when 90% of doctors no longer treat pain in the US. We are also now treated like criminals. Its so heartbreaking. After two weeks you no longer feel side effects like feeling out of it or anything. Feels like taking Tylenol but the opioid actually help pain. So all this trouble over meds that we feel nothing but pain relief from. They also keep your dose extremely low so I'm so miserable everyday. I really dont want to live many years. Hoping I don't have o live until I'm 60. If I get cancer I'm refusing treatment as it will be my way out. If they treated my pain enough to have an ok life then it would be fine but they don't. Saddest part is its impossible for adults to get pain relief and even major surgeries are.only getting Tylenol now but end stage children and others with severe intractable pain can't get relief at all. Children have to have advocates at appts now and it can take months to find a doctor willing to help. Look up the American Pain and disability foundation (APDF) online and facebook. They go to appts with children to help find a doctor willing to help. They had a 9 year old boy wanting to go overseas for doctor assisted suicide since no doctor would treat his pain. Thankfully they found a doctor after 6 months. Theyve saved the life's of hundreds of kids now. They live all over the US and volunteer helping children. Even the VA stopped treating pain and anxiety in veterans. The advocates help veterans too. They are amazing. The 2016 cdc guidelines destroyed pain relief for millions of chronic pain patients. Suicides increased 250%. We even lost many advocates. Cdc, dea, and FDA are now your doctors. Addiction risk is only 1% but they let the other 99% suffer. Street nonmedical grade fentanyl and meth caused an epidemic not prescriptions and doctors. They cut meds 80% in 2016 and overdoses still tripled three years later. DEA went after innocent doctors and patients instead of street drugs coming from the border. They made millions suing manufacturers/pharmacies and arresting doctors and taking all their money and houses. They caused 90% of doctors to fear helping them went after the 10% still helping and started arresting them. The DEA only allows doctors a certain percentage of patients they can help. If they help too many they get arrested. Pharmacies are only allowed to fill a for a certain amount of patients of they get fined. DEA reduces opioid and all other scheduled meds yearly and we have a nationwide massive shortage right now. They even decided to start reducing quarterly even with shortage. Pharmacies and hospitals are out. We even have opioid free hospitals now. Its crazy the war on pain patients. Intractable pain without treatment is a death sentence

[@franciir]

the pills for overactive bladder worked amazing on my bladder, but unfortunately really messed up my eyesight. would bladder botox do the same?

[@missyholz]

Is it possible that you can void your bladder during intercourse without feeling like that is happening?

[@siddiqkazim940]

Thank you Dr. Very useful information

[@tinkerbudd1514]

Thank you for doing this video!

[@alexandriaballerinawarrior]

#love #thankyou 🧡🩰

[@hedgehogwildlifejunction9119]

super constipated, came on suddenly. its a curse. i do everything i should do and stuggle to go. i noticed when i do finally move my bowel it upsets my blader and more prone to UTI. I have a neurgenic/Atonic bladder. out of all the issues i have with my PPMS THESE two are the worse. fed up of it. i just never get anywhere with doctors. i am 71. have MS SINCE 2000. I am sick of my toilet. when i get a uti bad it makes me feel horrible. i drink plenty of water, and always spend time making sure its empty. the bladder spasms are the worse. I havent seen a urologist for years. its no fun at night trying to pee i hate it. sometimes when i pee its a split stream whats that all about?

[@malkaviangth]

I have found that when I'm laying down I can't feel that I need to pee. However, I feel my core temperature raise. I know when that happens, I have to pee.

[@crazylegslife]

Thank you +1

[@frankiegraham3918]

I need help with bowel control. Especially in public! I’ve had accident’s in stores, in the bank. It is so embarrassing that I can never go back.

[@saralianastasion1366]

Wake up, 20oz H2O w am supplements, coffee w Dr B on youtube. Excellent Monday morning Can't wait till you can see out of state patients. Thank you!!

[@kennethkinney9458]

I just dont feel it

[@metalfan6666]

My bladder is alright but what really gets me going is when I'm on medical steroids. I go every 10 min and I don't get it why steroids makes you pee and pee.

[@nancybelanger3424]

Thanks but you're too slow

[@AaronBosterMD]

In what way?