www.incontinentsupport.org

don: I am glad you were finally diagnosed.
Your neurologist is correct Peripheral neuropathy by itself does not cause incontinence it only affects the peripheral nerves fingers hands toes and feet.
When the internal organs are affected the type of neuropathy would be autonomic neuropathy. It affects internal nerves and the involuntary nerves.

Today I am have an MRI of the neck and brain. I think my neurologist is looking to see if there are any lesions and or another stroke I had several mini strokes to date.

Lyle

Not me!! The balloon causes severe spasms, so much so that I double over in pain and leak around the cath. Tried self cathing too, they gave me meds to stop the spasms but I had so many side effects that I gave up on them.

Sorry you had so many problems with a catheter.
At least you have the luxury to use diapers or other means to control incontinence but I don’t. I cannot relive myself at all on my own and I had to be cathed several times and the nurse that cathed me would get anywhere from 1000cc to 1500cc of urine. The alternative for me was self cathing but neuropathy has caused my hands to be unstable making self cathing extremely difficult.
So in my case either I use an indwelling catheter or destroy my kidneys as the urine was backing up into them.
To me using an indwelling catheter is a no brainer either I use it or have renal failure or a Kidney infection and possibly serious complications.

After a year and half using a Foley I do find them to be comfortable if compared to other incontinent means. My wife of 44yrs stood by me all the way she also likes it better than diapers which I used for close to 30yrs so I have been on all sides of it.

Lyle

I don't use a cath either although my urologist in a round about way kinda suggested it last year. I really don't want to there as long as I can remain mobile. I think the urologist is thinking the same as long as I don't have any major problems not using a cath. I know from past experience using a cath can cause a serious infection,....be there and done and no need to return.

I too have nerve damage. A Doctor first found it doing an exam. My right leg muscle is smaller than my left. He ordered a nerve study done. This was about 6-7 years ago. I had my diaper on and was told to remove my pants. He then put a drape over me. When he finished I asked him if this is causing my incontinence and he said yes it could.
I started having severe shocking down my groin and legs. I was put on Neurontin and the shocking stopped. I went to an Urologist and he put me thru a Urodynamic study. Well I failed that too. I am holding about 950cc of urine. My sphincter is snapping shut after about 10 seconds and I am not getting all the urine out. Also I have urine coming out when I don't know it. I have tried self cathing but it just made me bleed and caused pain. I use an external catheter now. I am having to force urine out so I may be put in a Foley. I go to my Urologist in two weeks.
My MRI shows bulging at L1-4 , a collapse at T11-12 and a herniation at T-8 My whole back is degenerated. What caused it? I fell on the ice, my feet went up and I fell on my back.

If I'm not mistaken, I think back injuries, and strokes are the leading cause of incontinence. Have you been diagnosed with Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES)? It sounds like you might have CES and could also be a "incomplete paraplegic" if your mobile. I don't think your Urologist will be able to tell you anything that you don't already know but good luck anyway. Unless I have a UTI, or some other type of a problem, I only see my Uroligist every two years so he can update all the tests studies. I don't have the same incon problem as you, I'm double incon but I leak uncontrollably all the time.

Luckily I can walk on my own still. I don't have any problems except threats of prostate cancer. I've had two negative biopsies That is why I go to the Urologist every 6 months.

Back injuries can be indeed a cause of many problems with your entire body. I know, when mine goes out as it did very badly in February, I could not stand up, or walk without a can in fear of my legs giving out, and to get vertical was completely the worst pain I have had to date since 1995 when I had my MVA. My incon issues were much worse that month too both day and night time, no doubt associated with the problems I was having with my back. A month later, and I was back to "normal" as far as low back problems go thanks to the chiropractor and I do not want a repeat of all that pain any time soon. I will discuss this next doctor visit, as it may be timefor a low back MRI to see if I have new problems cropping up, certainly new symptoms for sure. Messed up backs are no fun at all! Puffy

_________________
Puffy
BC, Canada
Fighting the "Bladder Battle" since 1995

I have really bad scoliosis and my lower back pinches the nerves causing leaks, I've had the issue most of my whole life growing up. I too have Bipolar which was diagnosed 5 years ago and since then I have seen very many psychiatrists being reckless giving me tons of meds at once, like some times I was on 8 different meds at once. Not to mention being a guinea pig on tons of meds while I was in the hospital too. when I graduated high school at the age of 19 years old I was really crafty with my hands (writing and drawing) and now 5 years later I struggle to sign my name on a recipt and I just dont have twitches in my arms but all over.

My Urologist diagnosed me with OAB/spasmodic bladder and says the cause is from the meds I'm on and used to be on. Before I was on the meds I had leaks that was manage-able without diapers during the day with less protection but with the meds and my scoliosis the leaks are more frequent and I leak a lot more, when I leak now I typically empty my whole bladder. I also wear diapers for my Crohn's disease which I was diagnosed with 2 years ago, so now I wear Diapers 24/7. I have had a difficult time when I started wearing diapers but now It doesnt bother me much, it just makes me worry about going into the dating scene. Also the meds I'm on now which is 4 (lithium, zoloft, trilifon, restarol) they make me feel stable but is contributing to my incontinence, but I would rather live a mostly normal life wearing diapers then locked in a hospital being depressed.

What the latest since December? I hope you are holding your ground with the incontience! I still suspect you have permanent nerve damage and will fall victim to 24/7 diapers. Once you get used to them, they are not all that bad. I was diagnosed with nerve damage when I was age 9 at the L5-S1 part of my spine. It left me in diapers and side lined me from PE in school.