Bladder weakness and incontinence with flare ups

TiredWarrior

Hi, I’m 52 female and have had Rheumatoid Arthritis for 22 years

Just before a flare up I have noticed that I start getting bladder weakness and incontinence. This clears up as soon as the flare settles down.

Initially I thought it has to be stress incontinence due to giving birth to my children and did pelvic floor exercises including Kegels but still had no control during a flare up.

It might be due to fibromyalgia but I don’t know what to do about it. I have tried medications but it doesn’t work when I’m not well (just when I actually need them to work).

Has anybody else had similar issues?

Naomi33

Morning @TiredWarrior

Sorry to hear your concerns personally I just put it down to old age never considered it to be connected with flare ups 🤷‍♂️

Will be a question to ask my consultant.

Hopefully others will connect and advise you.

Best wishes @Naomi33

TiredWarrior

Thanks @Naomi33

No one ever mentions it so I wasn’t sure if it’s a taboo/embarrassing topic or that not many people have the symptom

But as you say it might be they haven’t noticed a correlation to a flare or when not feeling well.

I did ask my Rheumatologist a few times but he has just said interesting or hmmm or nothing at all 😂. Hope you have better luck

Ellen

Hi @TiredWarrior

I don't know whether you ever did a search to see if anyone else has had this issue?

I did one for you:

https://community.versusarthritis.org/search?query=incontinence&scope=site&source=community

Hope it helps.

Best wishes

Ellen.

TiredWarrior

Thank you Ellen

Skinny Keef

Hi yes I suffer with this all the time now. I am 55 and put it down to nerve compression in my spine to start with but then I got diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis and then finally relapsing polychondritis. No doubt this is to blame. The thing is my polychondritis doesn’t know it is supposed to be relapsing and I never get the time between flares. Fortunately the wee side of things is manageable.
so yes it probably is down to your flare ups.
i hope you find a solution or if not manage to cope with it. It’s horrible though isn’t it?

hevver7

yes, I’ve had rheumatoid arthritis for a year now. I find that holding a wee when I’m needing one is impossible. Im coping so much with pain that I can’t put effort into holding muscles in another area of my body too. I have to practice going before it’s needed but I don’t always remember to.

Anniekeebze77

I've just been diagnosed most likely with RA I'm 67 and quite scared ( I'm aware that many people are in a far worse situation than me) I've seen what it has done to my sister who is 71. Although, she is coping, I can see it is hard for her. I have copd as well but that is under control. I don't know how far advanced the RA is I am speaking to my GP tomorrow. I had 11 blood tests 9 were good the two RA ones were not Rheumatoid factor 38. CC whatever ... 340 it sounds very bad. I hope it isn't. Sorry it's late I'm usually optimistic. Want the phone call now. Will just have to be patient.

Ps I have noticed some slight bladder weakness.

Catfriend

I am 81, with osteoarthritis in my right hip. As the OA has progressed I have certainly noticed some bladder weakness, especially during the night. I have to take the diuretic furosemide as part of my blood pressure meds, and this doesn't help, but it is worse during the night as I am forced by the OA to sleep on my back and this seems to exacerbate the bladder problem. I need to get up two or three times during the night whether I think I 'need' to or not, just to be safe, and it can be such a nuisance. I do hope your problem can be resolved.

BarnacleSpaceship

I’m also having these issues. Does anyone else’s affect them more in the morning?

WendyGoode64

Yes unfortunately I have problems with both 1’s and 2’s) I’m 60 years of age and constantly getting up in the night because it feels like something is pressing on my bladder and first thing in the morning I have to go number 2’s because of chronic stomach pains but after that the pain goes. I’ve had 3 Yuflyma injections now and these symptoms are slowing down, unless I’m learning to manage them better because it’s hard only having one toilet in my flat, if you get what I mean but could anyone tell me if they ever completely go or do we just have to put up with them

Ellen

Hello I'm so sorry you didn't get a welcome @BarnacleSpaceship from the moderating team. I imagine you've already read this thread through. I hope you looked at the link I put in for @TiredWarrior above.

It sounds as though @WendyGoode64 agrees that it can be a bigger issue in the morning too.

I hope you'll have a god look around the forum and decide to keep looking in/posting.

Best wishes

Ellen.

WendyGoode64

Thank you I wilk

WendyGoode64

Will