I Need Help .....bladder Issues

I posted on the post op forum but was sent here. I had a laproscopic hysterectomy on July 6th. I am two weeks today post op. My hysterectomy was complicated.My doctor had me on the table for 4 hours trying to save me from being cut all the way across the abdomen. Fantastic job he did because i have only the four holes in my tummy. But back to my point. During the surgery my bladder filled with blood.My bladder was attatched to my uterus really well. I had lots and lots of scar tissue everywhere. But what does one expect when thay have had 3 c-sections, 1 gall bladder (cut all the way across abdomen), 4 dncs, 2 laproscopic procedures to remove adhesions, and yes 1 ablation of the uterus. But anyways I stayed in hospital two days. My doctor left my catheter in because my bladder needed more time to heal. I stayed two days at home. Got dehydrated and my potassium was dangerously low. So I went back in for testing and I stayed two days. When I came home he took the catheter out saying okay this should have been enough time.

My problem is I don't have an urge to pee. I don't feel the urge. I make myself go every two to three hours if I remember. And when I pee it doesn't hurt until the end of the stream when I am all done. And then lord the pain I get is ouch. So yesterday when I went for my post op two week we discussed this. He thought maybe my bladder was retaining pee. So we did the bladder scan nothing abnormal there it retained a small amount. There is a constant pressure in my lower stomach and sometimes the only time I know to pee is when my pain in my abdomen gets worse. The doctor thinks maybe my bladder just needs time. He gave me valium to relax my bladder muscles and my urethea thinking they are just staying constricted. My other option if this doesn't work is to try catheritize myself to relieve my bladder.

Does anyone else have this problem of not knowing they have to pee?

Also today I noticed that I have what feels like a painfull heartbeat or a spasm where my urethea is. ? Anybody know what that is and why?

I would greatly appreciate the information you could give me.

I hate a catheter and I cannot imagine having to do that to myself. The week I had one there 24/7 I wanted to die. It was the most uncomfortable unnatural feeling in my life.

Please help if you can.

MiniMoe,
Good God girl you've been through alot! My heart goes out to you!
I have a neurogenic ( it's dead due to nerve damage) bladder and have been self cathing for 7+ years.
It's very possable that due to swelling from your surgery that maybe there is some sort of pressure or impingment on the nerve to your bladder causing these issues. And being that the bladder is a very sensitive creature it dosent take much to agrivate it, and with all you've been through it's not a suprise!
The thought of self cathing sounds alot more scary than it is! I do remember being mortified to find myself in that possition! But it really isnt as bad as it sounds, and is so much better than a foley thats in all the time! Once you get the nack for it, its really easy.
I will say a prayer for you and feel free to PM me if you have any question on cathing..
Take care and don't give up hope!
Netty

Hi MiniMoe. Whenever any procedure is done in, around, or to your bladder it can be awhile before your bladder function returns to normal. I had prolapse surgery in April, I was catheterized overnight. The next day I had a voiding trial and everything worked well so they removed the catheter. At home I started to have problems with retention and within 2 days I had to have the catheter reinserted. I had it in for 5 or 6 days again. During that time I experienced bladder spasms. When I went back for the next voiding trial my bladder spasmed and they could not put any sterile water into my bladder for the test. I was given an antispasmodic and within 30 minutes I was able to pass the trial and the catheter was removed. Just like you I did not have the urge to urinate so I went every 2 hours as the Dr wanted me to so I could keep my bladder from over filling. I still had bladder spasms and pain at the end of the stream but I was emptying ok. It is very common to experience bladder spasms following catheterization. At about 4 weeks post-op all of a sudden I started to have the urge to go but then I was in the bathroom every 15 minutes. I was tested twice for UTI and both were negative. I had a cystoscopy and have been diagnosed now with overactive bladder. Since I have started Pelvic Floor therapy I have noticed an improvement and I can go 2 hours before I need to use the bathroom.
I know exactly how you feel about having a catheter, it was the one of the worst experiences for me. I had nausea following the surgery, pain when I urinated. My appetite was horrible, I was hardly drinking and I cried everyday. I lost 11 pounds in 5 days.
I know how difficult recovery can be but hang in there. You are still in the early days of post-op. I know I expected to recover a lot faster than I did. This week I will be 3 months post-op and I am starting to feel more like myself now.
Why don't you call your Dr and tell him about your bladder spasms? There are medications out there to help you feel more comfortable. Remember to take it easy, drink plenty of fluids, no lifting and soon this will all be just a memory! 's
Michelle

My bladder was very strange after a couple of weeks, I was retaining urine so not quite the same issue but odd nevertheless. i think it may be a bit early to decide whether there is a long term problem, but you dr is aware so that's good. Our insides do get very messed up through this- that's why the recovery is so long.

I had my hysterectomy and TVT July 26th. I have days where I move around great, however today I have been in bed almost all day..not feeling well...cant tell if it is my bladder or what. I am not taking any medication except tylenol. My Dr. was not very informative before or after surgery...I went for my check up Monday 3 weeks and he said see you in a year. When I explained about some pain I was having since day 2 after a bad sneeze...he said probably a muscle. He also told me my bladder would feel better after swelling reduced in another week. I AM NOT FEELING to great tonight. Do you think I am being a big baby? Does this achey come and go? I am very tired...just uncomfortable. Anyone running a low grade fever?? Mine comes and goes...no higher then 100.5

I have been running a low-grade fever since my surgery.
I had some bladder repairs in addition to my sling - but I don't know what the technical term is for the procedures.

I have loads of bladder spasms. When I take my muscle relaxers (given to me for my back) - I find that my bladder pain is less.

My bladder tends to spasm when it is holding urine - so that is my only cue that I "have to go." When I do go, it's a slow stream - and I still spasm - so I can't always tell when I am done.

I called the doctor about all of this - and went in for an examination. He said everything was "normal"' and it would get better in time. I wasn't feeling well enough to ask him for a detailed explanation. So I'll wait for my post-op appointment to see how it goes.

Cyndi,
Have you been checked for a UTI? Sounds a bit like you might have one..I would call your Doctor and have your urine tested.. If he dismisses you again, go to your Primary care Doctor, Your body is trying to tell you something..
Take care,
I hope your feeling better soon!
Netty

Hello ladies.....I too am having MAJOR bladder problems myself. Although no quite like yours, I have no idea when I need to "go". I can just stand up and it "falls" right out and down my leg....it's really humiliating. I try not to go out in public very often. Nights are the worst, I don't feel the urgency to go and when I get up, me clothes, bed and protective matress pads need to be washed. The Uro. gave me some pills to see if the "spasms" (he has NO idea what is causeing it)will clear up. What really honkerblonkes me off is that they waited until 6/12 weeks to decide finally to run some tests. In the hosp. I had a staph infection right above my incision and was in there for 2 weeks from such a common surgery procedure. then all the probs. w/ my bladder started the next day after my surgery after they removed the 1st cath. saying "it wasn't the right size". Then they had to do it again, and put the same size in as before. Finally the 3rd one they couldn't get out. The nurse didn't deflate the "balloon" inside and was trying to rip it out of me. Could there have been damage done while they cathed me 3 times??? What in the world could be causing all these problems??? Please if there is anybody out there who can help me, I'd SOOO appreciate it. I don't know what to do I am sooo freaked out.
Thank-you, chinacat318 a.k.a. (Apryl)

Sounds like I may be with you on the spasms. Never realized that was what was happening. I thought either something went wrong or it would get better. Guess I thought I would heal faster. Getting impatient...lol Just wish my Dr. wouldnt have said I would be ready to go back to work in 2 weeks. Maybe he was joking!!!

I also have ongoing bladder problems since my hyst. Before surgery, I had a grade three cystocele which was repaired, but no continence problems whatsoever. Now I have a combination of problems. If my bladder gets too full, I have aching and burning while it is full and for about half an hour after I empty. And emptying... I know when I have to go, but have trouble telling when I am finished urinating. The result is leakage after I stand up and dress. Very frustrating for someone still in their 30's. My regular doctor wants me to see an urologist, but frankly I am sick of doctors and I absolutely dread any further surgery after suffering through four surgeries in six months (including a really rough back surgery).