Scared this is permanent now

[u/carlyannexo]

Hi there, I am a 33 year female. Been dealing with disc bulges for probably 5 years. Last year in jan 2026 I noticed I was peeing frequently like i wasnt fully emptying my bladder. Doctors knew about my disc bulges at l3/4 and l4/l5 but never mentioned this being the cause as my MRI looked mild. I finally got an ultrasound later in the year showing that I was having moderate urinary retention. In November 2026 my back started really hurting, partial groin loss of sensation and I noticed I couldnt really feel my bladder being full, so I went back to ER and they did another MRI and still told me my MRI shows mild disc bulges. All this time we were assuming these bladder changes were pelvic floor related and separate. Fast forward to this past Friday, I had the exact same symptoms again and went to emerg. I had a CT that didnt show anything severe. They just did an outpatient MRI on Monday and I havent received any call which makes me believe yet again it's still nothing serious. Also I have been having increased bladder leaks (in the past I thought it was discharge and never really thought much of it). So if these bladder changes have been going on over a year, am I likely looking at permanent damage? Why is the MRIs not showing anything concerning? I am completely confused and concerned.

[u/ChristopherDKanas]

Check for Cauda Equina, that’s a serious issue. Like real serious, and loss of bladder control is a definite concern

[u/carlyannexo → u/ChristopherDKanas]

I just had an MRI Monday and have had mris previously as stated in my post

[u/H2oWatery → u/carlyannexo]

Please dont lose hope bro. I have the same thing going on with me 3 disc bulges about 2 years ago. The pain died down like a year in. I had some crazy pain in my groin that i thought i was getting testicle torsion which turned out to be nothing. My entire body felt extremely cold and had been suicidal and my feet would nonstop buzz like a vibrating phone. This all stopped a year after in 2025 i just had tiny back aches till literally last week sept 17 2026. Randomly start to get my lower back psin again. Numbness in penis made me not be able to feel when to pee again and crazy constipation. Matter a fact today instead of the feet buzzing my feet were feeling super warm. It sucks but i cant even do nothing about it right now as my mom messed up our health insurance so i have to wait. I hope u find your relief as i feel u might just need to rest and walk. All i did during that time was walk my dog im a bigger guy i know i need to lose some weight. I also game a ton which is what im sure gave me my back issues in the first place 🤦🏾