6 replies to this topic

[bmspen06]

So I just met this girl recently and she is supposed to spend the night with me one night this week. Bad thing is, last night, just like a few nights before, I pissed the bed. I'm a fairly new paraplegic. I've only been paralyzed since December 2007 so close to 6 months. Been having at least one bladder infection per month since entering the hospital. My infections usually render me incontinent so I figured it was just my infection that was doing this yet it has persisted for over a month. I'm getting fed up with sheath catheters as they seem to need some kind of gravitational pull on them which is pretty hard seeing as though it's entering the summer months. I've been thinking about trying Detrol but I have a few questions. How long does it wait to take effect?? Does it work from the start of the meds?? Does a urologist have to prescribe it or can a typical family doctor?? I honestly think the only thing that depresses me about my injury is the bladder and bowel functionality. If I can get this worked out, I would feel a huge burden lifted.
THANKS!

[qbounce]

bmspen,
There are alot of threads here talking about what may work for some may not work for others. I tried several different medications for bladder spasms before ending with oxybutynin, 5mg's 3xday.

Try different ones if the first doesn't work . . . you should give them each at least a week to fully take affect. A family doctor can perscribe these meds as easily as a Eurologist. Talk to your doc, and good luck! While you're at it, get some blue pills, too!

[eleanorigby]

I also take oxybutynin and it has worked well for me. My general doctor prescribed it I believe (I've been on it so long I can't even remember!). It really does help keep my bladder under control and the only time I have accidents is when I have a UTI. The only problem that I have experienced is that sometimes it works too well. I used to be able to pee on my own using the tapping method, but now I can't. I have to cath. The tapping method, however, was never very effective or easy for me as it took a long time and I usually couldn't empty my bladder completely, so I would have to go again in an hour, so it wasn't a huge loss for me. If you hope to have some regular voiding function, detrol or oxybutynin could hinder that. Cheers on the new girl and I hope you work something out!

[coolparaguy]

Detrol works for me.It change my life. I was using condom cath and had many accidents. After I started using detrol, I switched to intermitten cath (every 4-5 hrs) and rarely have any leak in between. I love Detrol. I cant live without it now. Oh, i also tried oxybutynin , but it didnt work for me. Like the previous poster mentioned, one drug might work for some and not others.

[qbounce]

Coolguy,
Exactly! I tried Detrol and it did nuthin' for me. . . so you just have to keep searching for the right medication until something works for you.

[Ralph Smith]

I tried oxybutynin and all I got was dry mouth, needed more beer and that didn't help much with the other problem. My doctor eventually recommended a bladder augmentation and that has seem to be a lot more helpful to me than medications. You may want to consider surgery in order get this problem licked. Problem that I have now is bladder spasms and up every 2 hours to drain but during the day I can last 6 hours between, it seems when I am in the horizontal position that is when the problems start for me. Good luck.

[KarenK]

bmspen06, on May 26 2008, 06:12 PM, said:

So I just met this girl recently and she is supposed to spend the night with me one night this week. Bad thing is, last night, just like a few nights before, I pissed the bed. I'm a fairly new paraplegic. I've only been paralyzed since December 2007 so close to 6 months. Been having at least one bladder infection per month since entering the hospital. My infections usually render me incontinent so I figured it was just my infection that was doing this yet it has persisted for over a month. I'm getting fed up with sheath catheters as they seem to need some kind of gravitational pull on them which is pretty hard seeing as though it's entering the summer months. I've been thinking about trying Detrol but I have a few questions. How long does it wait to take effect?? Does it work from the start of the meds?? Does a urologist have to prescribe it or can a typical family doctor?? I honestly think the only thing that depresses me about my injury is the bladder and bowel functionality. If I can get this worked out, I would feel a huge burden lifted.
THANKS!

Hi bmspen,

Know how you feel when you say bladder and bowel functionality the worst of all to deal with - it drove me mental for the first year or two. Talk to your doctor he/she should be able to advise you. I am on Detrusitol and still have the odd infection and leakage. Light at the end of the tunnel....