Bladder problems

anniemax1968
anniemax1968 Online Community Member Posts: 21 Contributor
edited August 2024 in Cerebral Palsy Network

Hi I wonder if anyone can give me some advice. I have spastic diplegia cp and I am 21. I walk using a kaye walker. Over the last year I have been experiencing bladder problems going to the toilet frequently. My gp starting me on solfacenacin and referred me for a pelvic ultrasound. I went the other day and the sonographer said I am retaining some urine (200ml) after going to toilet with a full bladder. I now hv an appointment to go to gp to discuss. I am of course googling it which I know is the worse thing to do. Has anyone had any experience of this. Any advice would be great befor my appointment next week. Thanks so much 

Comments

  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 11,750 Online Community Programme Lead

    Good afternoon @anniemax1968. I've just been looking over some old posts and spotted that no one had been able to help you with your query. How did you get on with your appointment?

  • SaraC_Scope
    SaraC_Scope CP Network, Scope Posts: 254 Empowering

    Hi @anniemax1968

    I hope your appointment went well.

    I live with CP and experience some bowel issues. I've attached the link to NHS Bowel and Bladder advice for you to consider.

    Sara

    Family Services Advisor

  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,747 Cerebral Palsy Network

    Hello @anniemax1968

    How did the appointment go?

    Here is some information about Neurogenic bladder. This is when you have urinary problems related to issues with your brain, spinal cord, or other nerves. It’s a common problem among people with cerebral palsy. 

    The ability to urinate properly involves neural feedback from your brain and spinal cord to your bladder. Changes in the nervous system of people with cerebral palsy can lead to neurogenic bladder. 

    How does neurogenic bladder affect people with cerebral palsy? 

    Cerebral palsy primarily causes problems with: 

    • movement 
    • balance 
    • posture 

    Everybody with cerebral palsy has movement problems, but some people have other problems, such as intellectual disability or urinary control problems. 

    Approximately 30% to 60% of people with cerebral palsy have urinary problems such as neurogenic bladder. 

    Neurogenic bladder occurs when you lack proper bladder control due to problems with your brain, spinal cord, or other nerves. The severity of urinary tract symptoms in people with cerebral palsy is related to their level of: 

    What are the symptoms of neurogenic bladder in people with cerebral palsy? 

    People with cerebral palsy commonly have symptoms of an overactive bladder, such as: 

    Factors indirectly related to cerebral palsy, like catheter use and frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs), can cause or worsen bladder spasms. 

    Less commonly, people with cerebral palsy can have an underactive bladder. Symptoms of an underactive bladder include: 

    • poor urine flow 
    • slow start to your urine stream 
    • feeling like your bladder isn’t completely empty (urinary retention) 
    • straining to empty your bladder 

     

    What causes neurogenic bladder in people with cerebral palsy? 

    Neurogenic bladder is caused by a disruption in the typical neural pathway from your brain to your bladder. It’s caused by abnormal development or damage to your nerves, spinal cord, or brain. 

    What are the complications of neurogenic bladder in people with cerebral palsy? 

    In a 2020 review of studies, researchers found that the risk of UTI is significantly higher in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy than in the general population. 

    Other potential complications of neurogenic bladder include: 

    Learn more about complications of cerebral palsy. 

    What is the treatment for neurogenic bladder in people with cerebral palsy? 

    There are several treatment options for neurogenic bladder for people with cerebral palsy. These include: 

    Incontinence training 

    In a 2022 study, researchers found that incontinence training with urotherapy can be an effective treatment for urinary incontinence in children with cerebral palsy. 

    Urotherapy 

    UrotherapyTrusted Source refers to nonsurgical and nonmedication-based therapies for neurogenic bladder. It includes: 

    Medications 

    MedicationsTrusted Source such as oxybutynin are also sometimes used to treat neurogenic bladder. 

    Surgery 

    Surgery may be needed if symptoms are severe and other treatments fail. 

    What’s the outlook for people with cerebral palsy who have neurogenic bladder? 

    Cerebral palsy is a lifelong disability. Clinical symptoms may change or worsen over time as the central nervous system matures and the body changes. People with mild forms of cerebral palsy have almost the same chances of living a full life as people without cerebral palsy. 

    The outlook for people with cerebral palsy who have neurogenic bladder varies. Many people have improvements in their symptoms with treatment. 

    How is neurogenic bladder diagnosed in people with cerebral palsy? 

    The doctor or healthcare professional seeing you, will ask questions to find out what symptoms you are experiencing. They’ll also want to know about other symptoms, such as trouble with bowel function or whether your child has a history of UTIs. 

    The doctor may want to measure your urinary tract function with a urodynamic study. The urodynamic study includes tests like: 

    • pressure flow study to measure how well their bladder handles pressure 
    • leak point pressure measurement to see if their bladder leaks 
    • electromyography to test nerves 
    • cystometric test to see how much urine their bladder can hold 

    The doctor may also order imaging to look at your nerves, spinal cord, or brain. Imaging techniques may include: 

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