[Artificial Disc Replacement / Lumbar] increased urination

[bigdogchief76]

I tried to make the subject line a bit more searchable since I can't find squat on this. I have to believe that others have dealt with this post anterior surgery.

Like Forrest Gump: I gotta pee! Seriously though I have had to piss all the time since they cut me open. I can typically hold out for hours on end.

Any ideas why this has happened?

[Frances144]

Where did they cut you up again?

I had L5/S1 surgery and am a girl. I have noticed things are certainly different in that area. I used to be able to pee a good bucket load and hold onto it not really needing to go. Now, I want to pee all the time and have to stop drinking fluids in the evening so I can get some sleep.

For me, everything seems to have been tampered with and put back differently, including other parts of my female anatomy!

[KBear]

Yup, that happened to me too. I assumed it had to do with all the fluid pumped into me during and after surgery as well as the swelling. My legs, ankles, feet, and abdomen were very swollen after surgery. When your body starts getting rid of all the extra fluid it comes out as pee (I've experienced the same thing after pregnancy.)

[Justin]

I tried to make the subject line a bit more searchable since I can't find squat on this. I have to believe that others have dealt with this post anterior surgery.

Like Forrest Gump: I gotta pee! Seriously though I have had to piss all the time since they cut me open. I can typically hold out for hours on end.

Any ideas why this has happened?

Below is grossly over simplified to the point where there are some basic errors (technically), but I am explaining it this way so that it makes the most sense. If something is confusing, please let me know.
__________________________

Your body's nervous system has increased it's sympathetic output after your spine surgery (your body has perceived a traumatic event). Think of the sympathetic nervous system as the "fight or flight" response --> picture running away from a bear that is chasing you. You're not concerned about peeing while you are being chased by the bear, so this function takes a back seat to the increased sympathetics.

The other part of your body's nervous system is the parasympathetic nervous system (the sacral parasympathetics in particular [S2-S4] here) which is in charge of "resting and digesting" (urination falls under this system).

Your body tries to "balance" your sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

Thus, your body went through a traumatic event so your body is sending increased impulses to the sympathetic nervous system. In direct response to "balance out" the nervous system, your parasympathetic nervous system has also greatly increased its functionality, which includes the contraction of your bladder wall, causing urine to be expelled out of the bladder. Since the system is up-regulated, you are urination frequency has increased.

Clear as mud?

Also, Kathy is right: your lymphatics have increased to help rid your body of the excess fluid given during your operation and that might have accumulated while you have not been as ambulatory.

[bigdogchief76]

... picture running away from a bear that is chasing you. You're not concerned about peeing while you are being chased by the bear, so this function takes a back seat to the increased sympathetics.

If a bear was chasing me, peeing would not be a problem since I would be doing it in my pants while running away like a school girl...

Thanks for the detailed info Justin. It's exactly what I was looking for. I would much rather have detailed info/analysis then a simple "Barbie and Ken doll demonstration". What is the typical timeframe for the body to settle down and begin a normal pattern again? This peeing bit is getting so old that I'm considering putting on one of my baby's diapers to simply avoid getting up and down...lol

Also, Kathy is right: your lymphatics have increased to help rid your body of the excess fluid given during your operation and that might have accumulated while you have not been as ambulatory.

That's cause Kathy is always right!

I must have very lymphatic glands then, because I haven't stopped peeing since about 1 hr after surgery. I needed to pee in post-op, essentially right after I woke up. It was around every 30 - 40 minutes in the hospital and now it's about every 1.5 hrs. It's crazy! I can typically go ALL day long and only pee twice. On road trips, I'm the guy that can drive 12 straight hr and never have to pee. So this is definitely frustrating. Add that it hurts to get up and down and it's a no bueno time for me right now!

[bigdogchief76]

3 weeks.....still common to have frequent peeing problems. Kind of getting concerned

[Frances144]

I was cut up in December and only now, reading your post, do I think things have calmed down a bit for me - less urgency and less often - so, what are we, 5 months post -op. You may have a few more runs yet if you are recovering with a similar timetable to me.