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.