B&B
I recently completed two research studies. The NARCOMS registry, and the UW Assessment of Physical Functioning. It's odd. Both studies' first question was How would you rate your health in the past ten days/ 30 days? Aaaaaaaand I had to say, not Excellent, but Very Good. This because I don't feel bad. I don't get sick. I don't get headaches. Or fevers. Or, lately apparently, even bladder infections. I don't get the flu. I don't catch colds. I can't remember the last time I threw up. Oh wait, yes I can, but that was food poisoning I gave to myself. Note to self: don't leave spinach dip out on the counter all day to nosh on.
So, while I am in Very Good Health, it remains that I can barely get around. I can't walk up a flight of stairs with ease. I can't carry groceries. Turning over in bed is sometimes difficult. The list goes on.
The studies don't accurately take into consideration the meds that we take to get by. NARCOMS focussed on spasticity, but not in combination with weakness. The UW study got me thinking - perhaps I misrepresented myself with my answers. Am I really very healthy? Or is that just how I like to think I am?
**************
That said, last Thursday at a meeting, I had to excuse myself to go potty. But couldn't. So I returned to the meeting, and commenced taking the minutes. Not eight minutes later I again had to excuse myself, and "hustle" to the bathroom. I am happy to report that I made it just in time.
I have had BM accidents before, a few times at home, and one memorable time at a friend's home. I have to say, if it was going to happen anywhere, her house was probably the safest place. She has known me since before the onset of the MS journey, and I attribute much of my comeback from a swift and severe onset of my MS to her being there for me.
[For the record, I fell outside of my work one June morning and I couldn't get up. Was taken by aid car to Harborview, and ten days later was released with a pair of forearm crutches and a diagnosis of "probable MS." Ten days after that I needed a wheelchair, which I more or less depended on for the next two years.]
Anyway, what was I saying? Oh yeah. Accident averted. Three years ago I was dealing with the bladder issues. Went through a variety of "gotta go" meds, graduated to Maxi Pads which gave me no Serenity, until I found Depends. That is a product I could depend on. But soon I graduated to an indwelling catheter. I know - there's the "yuck" factor, but it really wasn't so bad. It was a damn sight better than a wet diaper, which, let's face it, is difficult to change in public, or even at someone's house! You need to be prepared with a plastic bag, preferable a dark one, a spare, and a cleaning wipe. Then hope there's a discreet receptacle for disposal.
A leg bag is infinitely preferable to all that. And a Belly Bag, as long as you can still stand or transfer to the toilet for emptying, is even better. About 15 months ago I made the decision to get a supra-pubic catheter. That, combined with the Belly Bag has made the lion's share of my bladder problems very easy to deal with. The only times I have a problem with leakage is when I have an infection - and then it usually happens at night. I am happy to report that, the odd issue I had on October 8 notwithstanding, I haven't had an infection since June.
One thing I don't ever remember reading in the MS literature, and I have read a lot of it when I worked for the NMSS for sixteen years, is the strong relationship between bowel and bladder problems. It makes sense - the ennervation must be fairly close. Or at least close enough that one lesion could affect both functions. I AM speaking out of turn here, because I don't really know that. It just makes some sense to me.
One thing I DO know: your water intake affects the health of both systems. That said, I do my bset to drink the recommended eight eight oz. glasses of water each day. To keep everything running clearly and smoothly.
Good Night, TTYL and Be Well
I have had BM accidents before, a few times at home, and one memorable time at a friend's home. I have to say, if it was going to happen anywhere, her house was probably the safest place. She has known me since before the onset of the MS journey, and I attribute much of my comeback from a swift and severe onset of my MS to her being there for me.
[For the record, I fell outside of my work one June morning and I couldn't get up. Was taken by aid car to Harborview, and ten days later was released with a pair of forearm crutches and a diagnosis of "probable MS." Ten days after that I needed a wheelchair, which I more or less depended on for the next two years.]
Anyway, what was I saying? Oh yeah. Accident averted. Three years ago I was dealing with the bladder issues. Went through a variety of "gotta go" meds, graduated to Maxi Pads which gave me no Serenity, until I found Depends. That is a product I could depend on. But soon I graduated to an indwelling catheter. I know - there's the "yuck" factor, but it really wasn't so bad. It was a damn sight better than a wet diaper, which, let's face it, is difficult to change in public, or even at someone's house! You need to be prepared with a plastic bag, preferable a dark one, a spare, and a cleaning wipe. Then hope there's a discreet receptacle for disposal.
A leg bag is infinitely preferable to all that. And a Belly Bag, as long as you can still stand or transfer to the toilet for emptying, is even better. About 15 months ago I made the decision to get a supra-pubic catheter. That, combined with the Belly Bag has made the lion's share of my bladder problems very easy to deal with. The only times I have a problem with leakage is when I have an infection - and then it usually happens at night. I am happy to report that, the odd issue I had on October 8 notwithstanding, I haven't had an infection since June.
One thing I don't ever remember reading in the MS literature, and I have read a lot of it when I worked for the NMSS for sixteen years, is the strong relationship between bowel and bladder problems. It makes sense - the ennervation must be fairly close. Or at least close enough that one lesion could affect both functions. I AM speaking out of turn here, because I don't really know that. It just makes some sense to me.
One thing I DO know: your water intake affects the health of both systems. That said, I do my bset to drink the recommended eight eight oz. glasses of water each day. To keep everything running clearly and smoothly.
Good Night, TTYL and Be Well
