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Suggest Remedy For Urinary Retention With Persistent Headache

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Posted on Tue, 5 Jan 2016
Question: I have been having severe anal pain and urinary retention for four months now. i have had intermittent low back pain for 6 months. i have had blood mixed in my stool with tiny clots for three weeks. Also, i have had joint pain and cluster headaches for ten years. nortriptaline helps joint pain and headaches a lot. gabepentin helps anal pain and urinary retention. No clear dx. had a colonoscopy yesterday, found nothing to give reason for bleeding or pain. He removed 6 benign looking polyps.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (47 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Evaluation of Lumbosacral spine is needed.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your query and understand your concerns.

Blood mixed in your stool may be related to the polyps.

Since polyps have been removed, it should not repeat anymore.

Anal pain and urinary retention accompanied by intermittent back pain indicate that there is probably a lumbar spine problem that is causing your symptoms.

Joint pain also could be related to conditions such arthritis that affects both vertebral column and joints.

There is need for a thorough neurological examination and probably imaging studies of the lumbosacral spinal column such dynamic plain films ( flexed and extended body position to evaluate listhesis of vertebrae), MRI of vertebral column also to evaluate nervous structures possible compression.

Headaches seem not to be related to these conditions.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Wishing you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)
i had an MRI of my low back which showed a small herniatiin on right at L 4-5 or L5-S1 im not sure. I also have sciatic pain on my left buttock and hip/leg
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thanks for being on follow up with me.

Herniation at lumbosacral spine could be a cause of urinary retention and perianal pain.

It is important the time when the MRI was done, because herniated disc disease is a condition that may progress in a number of cases very rapidly.

It is important also to know if symptoms you refer were present at the time of the MRI was done, or symptoms worsened after the MRI.

If there is progression of symptoms after the previous MRI, a new one is needed to evaluate the current situation.

Hope this helps.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (2 hours later)
MRI was with current symptoms and recent. Neuro surg said it was not big enough to cause pressure on the other side of the spinal cord. I have also seen urology and had urodynamic sudies. It showed some uncordination of the urinary muscles. i think she said that the were not relaxing properly. My GP talked about going to neuro next with a mention of MS. What is your opinion? Is MS likely?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (18 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

Multiple sclerosis is a condition that may mimic several diseases.

However, more often encountered symptoms of MS are numbness or weakness in one or more limbs, vision loss accompanied by eye pain, tingling or pain in parts of your body, double vision, slurred speech, fatigue, problems with bowel and bladder control.


According to your symptoms, they can be explained in relation to MS, but aren't the typical ones.

So, multiple sclerosis cannot be excluded entirely as a possible cause of your symptoms, without further tests and examinations.

Again, I think herniated disc could be, at least partially, responsible for your symptoms.

Hope I helped you.

Best regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4493 Questions

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Suggest Remedy For Urinary Retention With Persistent Headache

Brief Answer: Evaluation of Lumbosacral spine is needed. Detailed Answer: Hello and thanks for using HCM. I have read your query and understand your concerns. Blood mixed in your stool may be related to the polyps. Since polyps have been removed, it should not repeat anymore. Anal pain and urinary retention accompanied by intermittent back pain indicate that there is probably a lumbar spine problem that is causing your symptoms. Joint pain also could be related to conditions such arthritis that affects both vertebral column and joints. There is need for a thorough neurological examination and probably imaging studies of the lumbosacral spinal column such dynamic plain films ( flexed and extended body position to evaluate listhesis of vertebrae), MRI of vertebral column also to evaluate nervous structures possible compression. Headaches seem not to be related to these conditions. Hope you found the answer helpful. Let me know if I can assist you further. Wishing you good health.