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My Name Is Jenn, I’m 24 Years Old And Have
Question: My name is Jenn, I’m 24 years old and have had Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2 my whole life. It’s a form of Muscular Dystrophy. I had a full spinal fusion back in 2008.
This past November my power wheelchair malfunctioned and threw me forward onto the hardwood floor in my room. The ER said I broke my left femur, right wrist and two months later we found out my jaw was broken as well. Since the fall I haven’t been able to control my bladder and the urine that’s coming out on its own smells like rotten eggs and I’ve have had a difficult time having the smallest of bowel movements. Severe constipation. Been tested for UTI and bacterial infection and all came back negative.
My orthopedic prescribed me diladid at first to help with the pain. I was on that for two months. I’ve since been switched to Xtampza ER, and hydrocodone as needed. I’ve previously been on hydrocodone before the fall and had no issues as far as my bladder and bowel. I’ve been given Amitza and magnesium to try to help with the construction but it’s hardly working. Pain doc thinks I may have injured my spinal cord nerves??
This past November my power wheelchair malfunctioned and threw me forward onto the hardwood floor in my room. The ER said I broke my left femur, right wrist and two months later we found out my jaw was broken as well. Since the fall I haven’t been able to control my bladder and the urine that’s coming out on its own smells like rotten eggs and I’ve have had a difficult time having the smallest of bowel movements. Severe constipation. Been tested for UTI and bacterial infection and all came back negative.
My orthopedic prescribed me diladid at first to help with the pain. I was on that for two months. I’ve since been switched to Xtampza ER, and hydrocodone as needed. I’ve previously been on hydrocodone before the fall and had no issues as far as my bladder and bowel. I’ve been given Amitza and magnesium to try to help with the construction but it’s hardly working. Pain doc thinks I may have injured my spinal cord nerves??
Brief Answer:
Possible sacral nerves compression or injury.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear Jenn , welcome to Ask a doctor service.
I read your query and here is my advice.
I am sorry about your situation.
The difficulties to control bladder immediately after the fall and with clear uroculture seems to come as a result of injured sacral nerves.
This can explain uncontrolled bladder but not the bad smell.
You can continue hydrocodone or other antinflamatory drugs to lower swelling, edema and injury of nerves.
You can use cranberry juice or tea to help you with disinfection of urine and possibly with cystitis.
You may need to do a x-ray of sacral spine to check it's conditions.
You may consider surgery for decompression of nerves.
Hope I have answered the question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Possible sacral nerves compression or injury.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear Jenn , welcome to Ask a doctor service.
I read your query and here is my advice.
I am sorry about your situation.
The difficulties to control bladder immediately after the fall and with clear uroculture seems to come as a result of injured sacral nerves.
This can explain uncontrolled bladder but not the bad smell.
You can continue hydrocodone or other antinflamatory drugs to lower swelling, edema and injury of nerves.
You can use cranberry juice or tea to help you with disinfection of urine and possibly with cystitis.
You may need to do a x-ray of sacral spine to check it's conditions.
You may consider surgery for decompression of nerves.
Hope I have answered the question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Thank you for replying! That all makes a lot of sense! I will be sure to bring it up when I see neurology.
Another thing that’s happened since the fall is I’ve been having severe stomach cramping, bloating, all over burning, nausea, some vomiting, the pain is residing mostly in the upper abdomen between my ribs and under my heart. I’ve seen a gastroenterologist and he doesn’t quite know what’s going on. Said it could be ulcers or I could have strained the muscles when falling or trying to vomit. Pepcid does seem to relieve some of the symptoms for a while but then they return. What is your input?
Another thing that’s happened since the fall is I’ve been having severe stomach cramping, bloating, all over burning, nausea, some vomiting, the pain is residing mostly in the upper abdomen between my ribs and under my heart. I’ve seen a gastroenterologist and he doesn’t quite know what’s going on. Said it could be ulcers or I could have strained the muscles when falling or trying to vomit. Pepcid does seem to relieve some of the symptoms for a while but then they return. What is your input?
Brief Answer:
Gastritis is possible
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
About your gastrointestinal symptoms I think they seem much like gastritis.
You can talk to a gastroenterologist to see if you need to do a fybroscopy or not.
The treatment is to take omeprazole and antiacids such maalox.
You can find maalox or other antiacids otc in pharmacy.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Gastritis is possible
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
About your gastrointestinal symptoms I think they seem much like gastritis.
You can talk to a gastroenterologist to see if you need to do a fybroscopy or not.
The treatment is to take omeprazole and antiacids such maalox.
You can find maalox or other antiacids otc in pharmacy.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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