• H&R Moderators: streaM Freak

Need Help May have done bladder damage with kratom should I tell urologist?

Mycophile

Bluelighter
Joined
Mar 3, 2014
Messages
4,582
Hey guys. I'm already someone with chronic anxiety and now I am COMPLETELY freaking out because I've been having bladder issues the past few years and even though I haven't used Kratom for about a month, I have used a lot of it on and off for the past 11 years. I looked it up and sites are saying that Kratom can damage the bladder, sometimes permanently.

I am on a medication from my urologist but it doesn't help my bladder issues so I'm seeing him again. What will happen is that I can't really ever fully empty my bladder so I am always going to the bathroom but it could even take me as much as five minutes to take a piss.

My dad is telling me I have to tell my urologist, but if I tell him won't I then be put on a list and considered an opioid abuser and NEVER BE ABLE TO BE PRESCRIBED AN OPIOID FOR PAIN EVER AGAIN?!!!

Does he really need to know what caused it if I'm smart and just don't use Kratom anymore?

Should I have tests run on my bladder and kidneys?

And do you all think that I should quit Kratom and that this is the cause and that I've done permanent damage?!?!?!
 
Yes, you shouldn't guess, absolutely get it tested. If you're afraid of not being prescribed opioids anymore if you talk about kratom, lie and say it was ketamine.
Not sure I want to say Ketamine either as that also sounds kind of like an addict. I've only used Ketamine twice and it was for therapy. But saying it's that is better than saying it's Kratom.

Can't I just leave it out altogether and say I'm just concerned about bladder, kidneys and maybe prostate and hyperlakemia and proteinuria? I think that would cover it. I don't think I have to say what I used.
 
I don't know if kratom is the cause but if you think it is then I'd quit for awhile and see if it helps. Also, you didn't say how old you are but those symptoms are very common for men when they get older, a prostate problem. In any case, you should certainly get it figured out.
I'm 45 so I'm of an age where these things can happen. 2 years ago my urologist did a quick prostate check and said it was tiny and not an issue and a med he gave me for that didn't work (neither does my current bladder pill...) BUT as someone on reddit pointed out, two years is more than enough time for a prostate issue to emerge and a PSA is something I didn't have done which is more thorough so I guess I could also get that done.

I mean I was really freaking out before but now I'm not so sure if it's the Kratom. What started my freaking out was a search on here. It's deleted member 290593's post where he says "Kratom destroys your bladder" and goes on from there. I think that used to be LucidSDreamr who was a decent poster, but really, is that one poster's experiences enough for us to say this causes issues (there's a couple others in there who had the same problems, and a search shows possible connections, but still I'm not sure)?

 
I have a female friend who would have to pee every 15 minutes or so when she drank soda on a regular basis. Caffeine would stimulate her bladder There are so many things it could be, so many things it could be caused by. I would simply tell your urologist the symptoms you're having and let them make the determination of what needs to be done I don't think you need to mention substances because they could have nothing to do with it. And quite honestly, once you figure out what the issue is, and get it treated, it doesn't really matter how it got there.
 
I have a female friend who would have to pee every 15 minutes or so when she drank soda on a regular basis. Caffeine would stimulate her bladder There are so many things it could be, so many things it could be caused by. I would simply tell your urologist the symptoms you're having and let them make the determination of what needs to be done I don't think you need to mention substances because they could have nothing to do with it. And quite honestly, once you figure out what the issue is, and get it treated, it doesn't really matter how it got there.
Thanks. This is an excellent response. The only reason I think it MIGHT matter if it was the Kratom is because then I would probably need to stop the Kratom, and because I love it so much I'm likely to be in denial and I'm hoping right now that isn't the cause.

You don't think that maybe I could get it treated but still be in denial that Kratom could be causing it and then not stop using it and make the issue worse? Cause I don't want to stop, but I really feel like I want to find out if that's the cause. However, I bet this doctor doesn't even know what Kratom is, and he already proposed that a few of the different medications I take could be causing it, so there's that...
 
The only reason I think it MIGHT matter if it was the Kratom is because then I would probably need to stop the Kratom
I did think about this. I figured you would know if it was the kratom once treatment started. You could do what the Dr suggests for a month or so, if it's not working, try stopping the kratom for a period of time. If that stops your symptoms, then you know.
I do think you shouldn't jump ahead right now. I know with anxiety it's easy to think it's everything you read about on the Internet. This could be a simple case and you're worrying yourself over something that could be solved with a short term pill. Right now, I would focus on getting the appointment. Write down what your symptoms are, how long you've been having them, and if the severity has increased at all. It's so easy to get overwhelmed when you're at the Dr that you sometimes forget to mention a few things. I usually have a list on my phone of everything I want to talk about. That way I don't forget anything. I hope you figure it out. I hope a simple urine sample and blood work will tell you everything you need to know. Good luck!
 
I did think about this. I figured you would know if it was the kratom once treatment started. You could do what the Dr suggests for a month or so, if it's not working, try stopping the kratom for a period of time. If that stops your symptoms, then you know.
I do think you shouldn't jump ahead right now. I know with anxiety it's easy to think it's everything you read about on the Internet. This could be a simple case and you're worrying yourself over something that could be solved with a short term pill. Right now, I would focus on getting the appointment. Write down what your symptoms are, how long you've been having them, and if the severity has increased at all. It's so easy to get overwhelmed when you're at the Dr that you sometimes forget to mention a few things. I usually have a list on my phone of everything I want to talk about. That way I don't forget anything. I hope you figure it out. I hope a simple urine sample and blood work will tell you everything you need to know. Good luck!
Thanks. The only other question I have is, regarding Kratom, I have already stopped. I haven't taken it for 5 weeks. So, do you think I have to tell the doctor? Cause they could run tests and not figure out what it is right? Then if they don't should I consider telling them?

But if they DO figure out what the issue is, then I probably have no real need to tell them right? I mean, what if they know it's a certain kind of bladder or kidney issue or whatever but they don't know the cause? Maybe then I don't need to tell them but I might want to stay away from Kratom for as long as possible just to make sure I'm okay? (no need to say FOREVER right now, though MAYBE it should be...)
 
Thanks. The only other question I have is, regarding Kratom, I have already stopped. I haven't taken it for 5 weeks. So, do you think I have to tell the doctor? Cause they could run tests and not figure out what it is right? Then if they don't should I consider telling them?

But if they DO figure out what the issue is, then I probably have no real need to tell them right? I mean, what if they know it's a certain kind of bladder or kidney issue or whatever but they don't know the cause? Maybe then I don't need to tell them but I might want to stay away from Kratom for as long as possible just to make sure I'm okay? (no need to say FOREVER right now, though MAYBE it should be...)
I don't think it's imperative that you tell them right away. You have to remember that sometimes medicine isn't an exact science. Drs often see things that don't fit textbook cases. They have to take their knowledge and experience and come up with the best fit. A diagnosis is not really a one size fits all. I honestly think you're better off just seeing how it goes without bringing up kratom. Even if the Dr is familiar with it, it's not a regulated product. You never know 100% what you are actually getting. If you do have to mention it down the road, you can say you take it like any other supplement.
 
I mean, what if they know it's a certain kind of bladder or kidney issue or whatever but they don't know the cause?
There's a lot of times when Drs don't know the cause of things. No one really knows what causes migraines, why certain people get cancer, why this skin condition affects only one person in the family. Knowing the cause isn't necessary. Drs are trained to treat your symptoms. So stop worrying so much make the appt and go.
 
Top