When to See a Doctor or Urologist
Bladder symptoms linked to ketamine use can be painful, confusing, or worrying — and knowing when to seek medical advice is important. While supplements, diet changes, and hydration help many people, certain symptoms should always be checked by a healthcare professional. Early support can prevent long-term bladder damage and improve recovery outcomes.
WARNING THIS PAGE CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES OF KETAMINE DAMAGE
Urgent Symptoms That Need Medical Attention
If you notice any of the following, contact a GP or urologist:
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Ongoing bladder pain lasting several days
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Blood in your urine
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Needing to pee extremely often or urgently
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Sleeping poorly due to night-time urination
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Feeling unable to empty your bladder properly
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Fever, chills, nausea, or back/kidney pain
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Symptoms getting worse even after stopping ketamine
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Incontinence or leaking urine
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Pain spreading to the lower back or flank
If you’re still using ketamine, early support matters even more — doctors are there to help, not judge.
WARNING THIS PAGE CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES OF KETAMINE DAMAGE
What can Ketamine Bladder look like?
Ketamine can cause severe damage to the bladder, leading to intense inflammation and breakdown of the bladder lining. In advanced cases, this can result in the passing of large blood clots and jelly-like material, which is made up of shed bladder lining tissue. To help relieve pain and support urine flow, doctors may sometimes insert a temporary catheter. The second image shows an example of blood collected in a catheter as a result of this damage.
If this happens to you, the only way you can repair your damaged bladder is by being abstinent from taking Ketamine and seeing a doctor.
What Will Happen at Your Appointment?
A doctor will check for inflammation, infection, or bladder lining damage. Common assessments include:
Diagnostic Tests:
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Urine dipstick & culture
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Bladder & kidney ultrasound
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Cystoscopy (micro-camera to check bladder lining)
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Urodynamic testing (measures bladder function)
These help identify whether symptoms match ketamine-induced cystitis, a UTI, or another bladder condition.
Treatment Options Your Doctor Might Recommend
1. Intravesical Therapy (Bladder Instillations)
Medication is placed directly into the bladder to:
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Reduce inflammation
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Repair the bladder lining (GAG layer)
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Ease urgency and frequency
Often includes hyaluronic acid or chondroitin sulphate.
2. Oral Medications
May include:
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Anti-inflammatories
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Bladder relaxants
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Nerve pain medication
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Medication for pelvic pain
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Pain management options
3. Pelvic Health Physiotherapy
Helpful for people with pelvic muscle tension due to pain. It supports:
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Muscle relaxation
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Bladder retraining
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Reduced urgency
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Pain management
4. Surgical Options
Only offered for severe, long-term bladder damage:
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Bladder augmentation/Neo Bladder
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Urinary diversion/ Urostomy
These are last-resort options.
Please note that some users have had to resort to surgery after only a few years of using Ketamine.
Neobladder
Neobladder surgery is a major reconstructive operation in which a new bladder is created using a section of the patient’s intestine after the original bladder has been removed or is no longer functional. The newly formed “neobladder” is connected to the urethra, allowing urine to pass in a more natural way, although retraining and ongoing medical follow-up are often required.
Neobladder surgery is usually considered only when other treatments have failed and bladder damage is severe or irreversible. Recovery can take several months and often involves learning new ways to empty the bladder, managing incontinence in the early stages, and ongoing monitoring for complications such as infections or electrolyte imbalances
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Urostomy
A urostomy is a surgical procedure that diverts urine away from the bladder by creating an opening (stoma) on the abdomen, through which urine drains into an external collection bag. It is typically performed when the bladder cannot safely store or pass urine, and it requires lifelong stoma care and regular follow-up.
A urostomy is typically recommended when bladder function is severely impaired and reconstruction is not suitable or safe. While recovery involves adapting to a stoma and external bag, many people are able to return to daily activities with appropriate support, education, and follow-up care.
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How to Find the Right Urologist
You can access specialist support through:
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Your GP — request a urology referral
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Local NHS hospital urology clinics
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University teaching hospitals (often handle complex cases)
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Sexual health clinics, which can refer quickly
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Specialists in:
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Interstitial cystitis
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Drug-induced cystitis
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Reconstructive urology
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Chronic pelvic pain
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UK NHS Specialist Clinics
Alder Hey Children’s NHS Trust – Ketamine Clinic for Children & Young People
A dedicated multi-disciplinary clinic for young people with ketamine-induced urinary tract damage. It is one of the first ketamine-specific clinics in the UK and includes paediatric urology expertise (e.g., Ms Harriet Corbett, Consultant Paediatric Urologist). Lancaster University
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You Deserve Proper Support
If you’re worried about your bladder symptoms, it’s completely okay to ask for help.
Getting checked early can protect your long-term bladder health — and improve life far beyond recovery.