10 replies to this topic

[Davey]

Hi Guys.
I'm in need of help. Im a c 4/5 quad, 23 post accident. Ive had a SPC for 4 years now and never had a problem. Over the last 3/4 months i have had a major increase in spasms and irritation around my groin and stomach area. I accept that there is some degree of irritation, but the spasms have increased so badly that I've started using cot sides. Could the increased irritation be due to bladder, urine infection or constipation?. If anyone can shed any light on the subject it would be gratefully received.

[greybeard]

i Davey. I don't want to be disrespectful, but don't you think a doctor might be the best person to answer your questions?

[Scorpio81]

A UTI could certainly cause an increase in irritation and spasms, though if it's been going on for 3/4 months, there could be more to it. I started experiencing the same thing 7 months ago, and initially thought it was a UTI, but was all clear for that and the deterioration carried on. My urologist said he thinks it's progressive nerve damage from my SB, so not a lot I can do about it - none of the meds work for me any more.
Do you have a urologist? That's the person you need to speak to about it all, so s/he can do a urodynamics test if need be to check for any changes.
Hope you get it sorted

[Edinburgh Colin]

I agree with GB your doc is who you should be asking however, when did you last have a KUB x-ray? Do you have a history of Kidney stones as this could also be a cause.
After so long you are almost the best source of knowledge about what ails you.
Regards and good luck,
EC

[Zack]

 greybeard, on 28 December 2011 - 01:46 PM, said:

i Davey. I don't want to be disrespectful, but don't you think a doctor might be the best person to answer your questions?

Greybeard I don't mean to sound disrespectful. With All the Lousy as well as Good Doctors there are, I don't see why a Medical opinion shouldn't be asked on here. I sure have read many SCI related medical questions on this forum before.

Please elaborate what's wrong with this question, or tell me if medical questions are not permitted.

Thank you
Confused Zack

[Davey]

 greybeard, on 28 December 2011 - 01:46 PM, said:

i Davey. I don't want to be disrespectful, but don't you think a doctor might be the best person to answer your questions?

I have approached the doctor and he increased one of my anti spasm drugs. I also asked advice from my spinal unit and trying there suggestions.

 Scorpio81, on 28 December 2011 - 03:52 PM, said:

A UTI could certainly cause an increase in irritation and spasms, though if it's been going on for 3/4 months, there could be more to it. I started experiencing the same thing 7 months ago, and initially thought it was a UTI, but was all clear for that and the deterioration carried on. My urologist said he thinks it's progressive nerve damage from my SB, so not a lot I can do about it - none of the meds work for me any more.
Do you have a urologist? That's the person you need to speak to about it all, so s/he can do a urodynamics test if need be to check for any changes.
Hope you get it sorted

Hi Newbie. I had a urologist visit last month and he seems to think its down to constipation. I will implement the changes he has suggested and go from there.

[Zack]

Davey,
I'm Glad you got the answers you needed. Please feel free to ask for opinions! I Think their allowed, I've seen Tons of them!

Now I'm Out of here in case I'm wrong!

[Scorpio81]

 Zack, on 28 December 2011 - 05:23 PM, said:

 greybeard, on 28 December 2011 - 01:46 PM, said:

i Davey. I don't want to be disrespectful, but don't you think a doctor might be the best person to answer your questions?

Greybeard I don't mean to sound disrespectful. With All the Lousy as well as Good Doctors there are, I don't see why a Medical opinion shouldn't be asked on here. I sure have read many SCI related medical questions on this forum before.

Please elaborate what's wrong with this question, or tell me if medical questions are not permitted.

Thank you
Confused Zack

I didn't see a problem with your question Zack - as you say, stuff like this is talked about a lot on here. Of course, only a doctor can ever really give a proper medical opinion (though admittedly some are better than others!) but there's nothing wrong with asking on here, even if it's just to hear from people who are in the same boat. I don't think there are any questions that aren't 'permitted', within reason - maybe GB was having a bad day?

Ok, if it is down to constipation, are you taking measures to help alleviate that? Often easier said than done I know!

[climberwoods]

hi dave iam climberwoods iam a para for 3yrs my spams increce when i have a uti.hope this helps

[greybeard]

 Scorpio81, on 28 December 2011 - 10:07 PM, said:

- maybe GB was having a bad day?

If I was having a bad day you sure as hell wouldn't be in any doubt about it.

I was giving what I considered to be the best advice. So sorry if it offended any one. Just trying to help.

[obbig80]

I have been looking for a thread like this because I have a similar problem, and all the Doctors and SCI Consultants have been no help to me. I have only been in my chair for 6 years, but it seems I get better info from forums like this, than a normal doctor who I can see frequently, an appointment with a consultant at my SCI centre can take months.
I suffer with constipation, and have one very big result in one week. I get similar spasms in the areas mentioned in Newbie's post, except I also get reflex erections and very strong spasms in the perineum muscle that can make it very hard to do simple tasks. A strong spasm in the perineum/sphincter muscle sends me shooting back in my chair, and being top heavy, I have ended up on my back more than once. Any task that requires having to use two hands, I have to make sure I'm backed up against a wall with my brakes on. Only in the last week have I deduced that this is caused by constipation, and the doctors and consultants have been mis-diagnosing me.
I am currently in the process of sorting out this problem, only it's still quite new and I have not had time to see if it's going to work, but I will add what I am trying below, and will get back if it works.
P.S, I have not had a UTI...'Touch Wood' for nearly six months now, so I'll add my whole routine.

Morning - I take my supplements and anti-oxidants after I brush my teeth. 1 Soft-Gel Cranberry Concentrate, 1 Soft-Gel Acai with Green Tea, 2 Chewable Pro-biotic Acidophilus and 2 Magnesium & Zinc tablets and 1 senna with fig capsule.
I have now started to have high fibre breakfasts like Oatmeal/porridge, Fruit 'n' Fibre or raisin bran.

Afternoon - I make a smoothie with fresh or tinned fruit in juice (tinned prunes and apricots are a good choice), I add shelled hemp and linseed to the smoothie. I try to use my standing frame for half hour or so and let gravity take it's course.

Evening - A good meal that usually involves brown rice, vegetables and some sort of protein. I usually have some smoothie left over in the fridge that I finish off. After brushing my teeth I take another senna with fig tablet and 1 more acai with green tea.

Throughout the day I drink 1.5 - 2ltr of water, 2 mugs of coffee, and then however many cups of tea or juice I desire. I empty so often I always double bag and have a drainage bag in my car just in case, but my urine is always very pale yellow, sometimes clear like water.

As I said before, the addition of the fibre supplements and food is only a few days old so don't take my word as gospel. I will leave it for a few weeks and let you know my findings.