5 replies to this topic

[Joewee13]

Hi everyone! I was wondering if anyone has any tips for people trying to improve their bladder control.

I am 23 years of age, C4-C6 Incomplete Quad. I can feel and some-what control my bladder. I don't usually cath myself. (Usually when I go out to physical therapy, out with friends and such)
When I am in my house, if I have to go to the bathroom, I can go just fine. Lately, I have been trying to hold it as long as I can until I reach for my urinal. Is that a good way of doing it?
Also, when I go out, all I can think of it "What if I have to pee?!" and it is stopping me from actually doing the stuff I want to do.

So, any tips? Medication? Anything would help me out!

Thanks you!

[style71]

well I'm different from you. I'm a t8 complete and can't feel anything. after my accident I used to have accidents constantly even though I cathd 4 - 6 times a day. I went to my urology appointment and I had very high bladder pressure (which is normal for a sci). This can be bad because if your bladder contracts and your sphincter is closed it will push things back into you kidneys and can cause major problems.

That being said they put me on a blue pill (no its not viagra lol) 'teva-oxybutynin 5mg' 4x a day. I went back for my follow up and my bladder pressure dropped dramatically and I've had 0 accidents (unless I forget or too lazy to cath which is stupid I know).

On that note, the 5mg worked like a dream for me and did it's job very well. However, some people need a much higher dosage or a completely different medication since this one does absolutely nothing for them and in some rare and extreme cases surgery is necessary to reduce pressure.

Since, you're incomplete, I don't know how your bladder pressure works or what not so all I said might be useless to you but that's all I know.

Hope it helps and good luck

[Millard]

Joewee13, on 15 November 2011 - 02:11 AM, said:

Hi everyone! I was wondering if anyone has any tips for people trying to improve their bladder control.

I am 23 years of age, C4-C6 Incomplete Quad. I can feel and some-what control my bladder. I don't usually cath myself. (Usually when I go out to physical therapy, out with friends and such)
When I am in my house, if I have to go to the bathroom, I can go just fine. Lately, I have been trying to hold it as long as I can until I reach for my urinal. Is that a good way of doing it?
Also, when I go out, all I can think of it "What if I have to pee?!" and it is stopping me from actually doing the stuff I want to do.

So, any tips? Medication? Anything would help me out!

Thanks you!

Hello JoeWee,

I am a C5-C6 and walked on crutches for 38 years. I had a supra pubic catheter for 5 years and had it removed. I had a small bladder at this time. I hated going out as my bladder was small and bathroom trips were often. My bladder eventually got larger. (I have a neurogenic bladder.) In 2004, when I fell and broke a kneecap and started using a chair, I also started intermittent cathing. I found that by totally emptying my bladder, I could easily hold 700-800 cc's. I no longer worry about wetting even if I am out 4-5 hours. When it starts hurting, I'll excuse myself and sometiomes go out behind a building. Nowadays, life is good.

Good luck.

[xxm]

Joewee,

I'm C6 complete but I feel when I have to pee. More than 35 years with SCI I have never used cath. With years things change and now my tip is to pee in portions with 20 sec. between; don't hurry and void as much as possible . Also while peeing I sit bent to the left so that my anus doesn't touch the seat/bed. I discovered this trick when I noticed that on a toilet seat or commode peeing is much easier. When you are out don't drink too much but compensate while at home or accessible toilet so that daily intake is the same.

Rudy

[Millard]

xxm, on 24 November 2011 - 05:12 PM, said:

Joewee,

I'm C6 complete but I feel when I have to pee. More than 35 years with SCI I have never used cath. With years things change and now my tip is to pee in portions with 20 sec. between; don't hurry and void as much as possible . Also while peeing I sit bent to the left so that my anus doesn't touch the seat/bed. I discovered this trick when I noticed that on a toilet seat or commode peeing is much easier. When you are out don't drink too much but compensate while at home or accessible toilet so that daily intake is the same.

Rudy

Hi Rudy,


I used to use this method, Valsalva, but was advised it "could" eventually cause a problem. I found this out when before the PT one day, I had to have a bm. When completed, I found I had emptied my bladder completely and did not have to void for about four hours. My urologist told me to be careful and advised intermittent cathing was much more desirable medically than Crede or Valsalva. With my neurogenic bladder and sensation, I would retain about 350 ml's when voiding normally whilst standing.


Good luck.

[Joewee13]

_{Thanks for all the tips and sorry for the late reply. I am getting a bit better with holding my urine long enough. If I'm at home, I usually have my urinal cup around my room and I just try to hold it as much as I can until I have to really go. (not sure if that helps train or anything)}
Also, I think it's time to learn how to cath myself. I have been lazy in that department and I think it will really give me more motivation since I won't have to really worry about it when I go out.

Quote

That being said they put me on a blue pill (no its not viagra lol) 'teva-oxybutynin 5mg' 4x a day

I have this pill and I actually forgot what it does and silly me, I stopped taking it >.< I have been taking it ever since.