Mechanism for Urination Issues

[ibcdbwc]

DS13's flares are strongly correlated with urinary accidents. Seems to be a precursor to an impending more dramatic onset of the traditional OCD flare. What is the mechanism by which this occurs?

[searching_for_help]

I'm curious about that as well. Our dd's first noticeable sign was an overnight sudden-onset bladder frequency and incontinency. Took her to a ridiculous number of "specialists", and they couldn't find anything wrong. She had that problems for years. It still gets bad when she's extra stressed, and she still frequently wakes in the night to use that bathroom.

 

We've noticed that in high stress situations, our son has frequency issues as well.

[PIK]

I am by no means a doctor or an expert, but aside from rheumatic fever and PANDAS, I had glomerularnephritis, which is another complication of strep, so kidney function is definitely related to strep infection. I find that when I take penicillin, I pee and pee and pee in the beginning.

[dcmom]

Apparently, from a doc, the interior control of holding/ signaling urination is in the basal ganglia, which is the portion of the brain affected by pandas.

[MomWithOCDSon]

If I recall correctly, there is also some glutamate link, meaning more frequent urination can be associated with higher levels of free glutamate in the brain. There are some other, older threads on this topic here, so you might give a search a try.

[sf_mom]

For us: Infection, mold toxins and nerve issues associated with Vagus Nerve. This particular nerve impacted the way older DS tongue functioned and rested in mouth plus potentially issues with frequent urination and increases in urination with flairs. I also had frequent urination, excess red and white blood cells in urine, what appeared to be ongoing urinary track infections, interstitial cystitis. More likely the combination of the above issue. Lyme like the bladder lining.

 

Here is a blurb on the vagus nerve and how it impacts someone with Lyme et al.

 

 

"The vagus nerve (also called the tenth cranial nerve) is the longest cranial nerve and one of the most complex nerves in the human body.

It originates in the medulla oblongara (part of the brain stem) and travels to the pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), lungs, heart, esophagus, and intestinal tract to the transverse portion of the colon.

Disease that cause neuropathy, like Lyme disease and diabetes, can damage the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve activates muscles in your throat, which are vital to a healthy gag reflex, coughing, vomiting, swallowing, and the ability to speak.

It also acts like a brake on the heart, slowing down the heart rate. Impairment may result in heart palpitations or tachycardia (fast heart rate). Depth and frequency of breathing as well as blood pressure are also regulated through the vagus nerve.

The abdominal branches regulate the stomach, pancreas, small intestine, large intestine, and colon. The vagus nerve also affects the kidneys and gallbladder and stimulates liver functions.

Once treatment has begun with antibiotics, most patients with vagus nerve involvement report an improvement in symptoms.

Common Symptoms Caused by Vagus Nerve Impairment in Lyme Disease.

• Hoarseness
• Slurred speech
• Vomiting
• Palpitations or tachycardia
• Shortness of breath
• High blood pressure
• Difficulty swallowing
• Gag reflux
• GI motility dysfunction
• Diarrhea
• Frequency of Urination

Article originally appeared in a regular issue of the Lyme Times Fall/Winter 2005 by Dr. Rhee"

Edited April 8, 2014 by sf_mom

[dasu]

my daughter has (had) extreme urinary frequency with PANDAS, which went away with clindamycin. the frequency was so high that we brought along one of those toddler potty training toilets in the back of the car. you might want to do something similar, otherwise road trips get extremely slow...

[searching_for_help]

Ditto, dasu! We kept a port-a-pot in the back of the van or we couldn't leave the house. It also came in handy on a vacation. An accident occurred on a major interstate and traffic didn't move for FOUR HOURS. We were so very glad to have it then, for all of our sakes!