Can neuropathy affect bladder and colon control?

dwood

New Member

Joined : Sep 2005

Posts : 3

Posted 9/17/2005 7:30 PM (GMT 0)

Hi! I'm new to this message board. I've been Type1 for 36 years. I have high bp and high cholesterol-contolled with help of meds. I had a heart attack 2 years ago (I'm 48) . My heart cath showed 3 blockages(50%, 70%, and 90%) but "due to diabetes" my blood vessel walls are too thin and I"m to great a risk for angioplasty or stent. I'm feeling better since starting several meds and improving diet and exercise. I've had neuropathy in both feet for years and had to have carpal tunnel surg. I now have severe pain in my hips and knees which the doctor just "pooh poohs". I always end up feeling like a bother when I go in with a complaint and she treats me like I'm just imagining it! Now, my incontinence is to the point that I can't bear it any longer and I don't have good control of my bowels(not diarrhea). I had a horribly embarassing situation today and I just can't take it anymore. Does anyone know if neuropathy can affect the bladder and colon? Can anything be done or am I doomed to be a social outcast?I hate to sound like a whiner, but I dread the toughts of talking to my doctor. I really want to change doctors. Thanks for listening, Deb

Pin Cushion

Regular Member

Joined : Feb 2003

Posts : 442

Posted 9/20/2005 3:06 AM (GMT 0)

I am not sure about it being neuropathy, but if it was me I would go to a GI, gastrointeroligist ( dang I need a spell checker LOL ).

dwood

New Member

Joined : Sep 2005

Posts : 3

Posted 9/20/2005 10:43 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks for your advice. Iwas so worried about neuropathy that I didn't think about GI problems.

Jeannie143

Veteran Member

Joined : Apr 2004

Posts : 6071

Posted 10/9/2005 8:11 PM (GMT 0)

Deb,
I did a search for bowel incontinence and diabetic neuropathy on Google and there is indeed a connection between GI problems, incontinence and urinary incontinence and diabetic neuropathy in the autonomic nervous system. Check out this site -> Diabetic Neuropathies: The Nerve Damage of Diabetes for more information and treatments.

Hope this helps.

dwood

New Member

Joined : Sep 2005

Posts : 3

Posted 10/13/2005 1:53 AM (GMT 0)

Jeannie, Thanks so much for your help. The website had lots of good info. and I recognize several symptoms. I had always thought my control was good enough and I wouldn't have these types of neuropathy problems. I guess I've been fortunate for 36 years. Thanks again, Deb

Warren

Veteran Member

Joined : Oct 2005

Posts : 534

Posted 11/2/2005 8:30 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Deb,

As with the others, I can't speak for the Neuropathy link but I can speak to a sugar control link. When my sugars were out of control (200-300+ range) I had the same problem. I had to go to the bathroom so frequently it was becoming a real problem and when I had to go, I had to GO NOW!! Control was definately an issue. When I got my BS back under control, VOLIA, the problem disappeared.

. . . and yes, I have significant neuropathy in both feet also so I don't think its related to that.

++Warren

allisonrose

New Member

Joined : Oct 2005

Posts : 14

Posted 11/2/2005 9:32 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Deb

I have been a diabetic for 16 years and had neuropathy for the past

5.I dont really know if it can affect youre bowels or incontinence

but I do know that having a doctor that (pooh poohs) youre problems

can be a HUGE problem , you see I had one of those doctors

2 years ago that put all my complaints aside as if they were all

in my head and I ended up in the hospital with complete kidney

failure and almost died! so please do some research on youre

problems yourself and definately get a doctor who will listen and

care about you not just as a patient but as a person!

Feel better

Allison Rose

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