4 replies to this topic

[dsindc]

I see that most paras and quads suffer from incontinence and spasms of the bladder and thus take medications for it.

So far I have not had any bladder spasms and resulting incontinence (except 5 or 6 times and probably due to a UTI,) even though I have plenty of spasms in the legs. I am 6 months post...my urologist tells me high level quads like myself always have it, but maybe i'll miss the boat..

how long until I start to experience this? what's the likelihood that this won't be an issue? may I ask when some of you started to have it?

[brenrich]

I'm 18 1/2 years post and no bladder spasm until SP is blocked!

[animadversor]

I'm 14 years post injury, and a couple times a year I have bladder spasms. this started after my first year of injury. it is normally caused by not drinking enough over the course of a couple days, or drinking the wrong things (like lots of pop or booze), but sometimes I can't figure out what the cause is-I just assume that it's irritation of some sort.

I always carry Ditropan (oxybutynin) with me-it stops it almost immediately. One dose, two at the most and I'm good to go.

If I don't have any with me things get ugly fast.

The downside of Ditropan is thatit leaves you with an awfully dry mouth, especially with multiple doses. there is an alternative, but I don't remember the name at the moment.

[Kwag_Myers]

The information I have (from rehab) states that an injury above the T12 (called an upper motor neuron or reflex bowel) will most-likely result in incontinence since the bowel empties by reflex (automatically). So, yeah, my guess is that all quads and paras above the T12 have to deal with incontinence.

[shady]

I am a c6 quad and suffered from bladder spasms, resulting in severe incontinence but only until I was prescribed Trospium which I take twice daily. That was 18 months ago and no problems since!