11 replies to this topic

[Dunraven]

My husband suffered a complete injury at T-11 in December 2011. His bowel program is going well; no accidents for the last two weeks unless nurses are slow moving him in sling. An intermittent cath program is working great. Although his injury is categorized as complete, he found that he can strain and pee a little. Is it possible that he may regain the function of his bladder and/or bowels? I know this would be a HUGE relief to him. And is it harmful for him to strain to pee?

[TJT]

Dunraven, on 07 February 2012 - 12:35 AM, said:

My husband suffered a complete injury at T-11 in December 2011. His bowel program is going well; no accidents for the last two weeks unless nurses are slow moving him in sling. An intermittent cath program is working great. Although his injury is categorized as complete, he found that he can strain and pee a little. Is it possible that he may regain the function of his bladder and/or bowels? I know this would be a HUGE relief to him. And is it harmful for him to strain to pee?

[TJT]

My understanding is that if indeed he has a COMPLETE T11 injury that is well above the nerves needed to control bladder function. Straining is a good way to develop hemorroids. Urodynamic studies are what define bladder function and pressures.Excessive pressures on these studies are a concern for damaging the bladder and pushing urine back up to the kidneys (reflux).Sounds like he needs to consult his Dr because if he is retaining a lot and just pushing to create overflow that is not good for the bladder.

[Tetracyclone]

Agreed- If he has no natural reflex to pee, but only straining does it, this is not a sign from above. .

Congratulations that the B &B program is going well.

[T11WALKER]

Dunraven,

I'm sorry to read about your husbands injury, you have a found great place for info! I'm 3.5 yrs post T11 incomplete and I still have to strain or push hard for both bladder and bowl, I haven't been on a program for over 3yrs. Tell your husband to keep working at it, he is still real early in his recovery. Each injury is different.

Take care,

Steve

[Niceparalegs]

Dunraven: I am a T 11, also injured this dec. I was diag complete ...however my miniscule amount of bowel func and almost impossible sensory in the bottoms of my feet assisted my neurologist just recently in concluding that by the skin of my teeth I am incomplete. Perhaps ur hubby is in the same boat. Things r very slowly getting more sensory....but we have to search for it:) best of wishes....god bless

[munkypoop]

From what I've heard any sensation in your bladder or bowel usually means the bottom of your spine is working which is actually a good thing. When I am being catheterized or someone manually forcing me to poop I get the chills real bad. And I was told that's a good sign because that did not happen until after three years of being a quad.

[T6 Incomplete]

I can pee a little as well, but as an inpatient at the rehab they would test me after I peed to see if I was emptying my bladder. You had to get it down to less than 100 ml to not cath. I never emptied enough and that can cause bladder infections or UTIs. I still cath, but I pee when I can first just to keep the practice up!

[ParaMedic]

Hello. My accident was Feb 2 of this year and ended up with a T-11 SCI. I have my first urology appointment this week because I keep having freaking accidents even after I just peed. I was wondering what to expect at this appointment?

[mcferguson]

ParaMedic, on 18 April 2012 - 04:39 AM, said:

Hello. My accident was Feb 2 of this year and ended up with a T-11 SCI. I have my first urology appointment this week because I keep having freaking accidents even after I just peed. I was wondering what to expect at this appointment?

You will probably give a urine sample to test for a urinary tract infection. Is your urine clear or cloudy? You might also get a prescription for ditropan/oxybutynin to control bladder spasms. Do some reading on here and you'll likely find situations similar to yours. Good luck with your appointment.

Edited by mcferguson, 18 April 2012 - 12:47 PM.

[ParaMedic]

Thanks for the response. My urine is clear. Doctors office called yesterday for me to go in since they had an opening. I found out that I have too much residual urine that ends up overflowing. So now I'm self cathing. Its crazy, after attempting to urinate for the urine sample I still had 476cc of urine still left in my bladder.

[Millard]

Dunraven, on 07 February 2012 - 12:35 AM, said:

My husband suffered a complete injury at T-11 in December 2011. His bowel program is going well; no accidents for the last two weeks unless nurses are slow moving him in sling. An intermittent cath program is working great. Although his injury is categorized as complete, he found that he can strain and pee a little. Is it possible that he may regain the function of his bladder and/or bowels? I know this would be a HUGE relief to him. And is it harmful for him to strain to pee?

At four months post injury, your husband still may get a lot more return. Voiding as you described is called valsalva. The danger with this method is increasing bladder pressure so much it forces urine back into the kidneys. I used to do the same thing as I would void normally but have a residual of about 350 ml. I now intermittent cath and do not have any more problems with uti's. He will continued getting return for about 18 to 24 months. Believe it wo not, he will get accustomed to his new body and limitations but it may take a couple of years but everything does get better.

Good luck to you both.