Thanks everyone for the info! It is nice to hear that I'm not the only one on earth with a catheter or this problem. Sometimes I feel so all alone. I am gradually getting better. In fact this is the fastest I've ever recovered from an episode this serious or this long. I am walking thru the house now, can feed and bathe myself now with out complete and utter exhaustion. I think keeping my bladder empty with this catheter has really helped! Crazy as that sounds. Went to my cardiologist yesterday. I love her-she is so good. She did say though, that more than likely there is another diagnosis that will link all my other symptoms and diagnosis's together now that this bladder retention has come up. She says I need to see a autonomic neurologist to find out what is going on. She does only dysautonomia and mitral valve prolapse at her office. I am, by far, off the charts for her usual patient. I appreciate her honesty with me. She said I don't neatly fit into any box of diagnosis and thus the referral to yet another specialist. sunfish, I'd like to talk to you more since you seem to have the closest symptoms to mine. I am new at this Forum thing. How do I do that? Just thru this forum issue like this? Just glad to be feeling a little better than I was and not so all alone, Teresa