A medical question, mostly for the ladies....maybe TMI

[florida-again]

I've been wanting to post this for a while but I didn't want to gross anyone out.

Has anyone ever had any experience of over-active bladder disorder, without loss of bladder control? I was 'diagnosed' with this a while ago.

I go to the bathroom a lot. I simply couldn't even think about drinking anything if I was going to be somewhere where access to a bathroom would be restricted. I also get up in the night, sometimes several times.

If I drink anything such as coffee, I have to go to the restroom an embarrassing amount, if I have coffee with friends for example I usually have to leave 5 or 6 times in an hour.

I went to see one doctor, but because my bladder control is (thankfully) fine and dandy, she told me i was imagining things.

When I went to get a second opinion however, after keeping a careful eye to see if I was imagining thinks, I was told it was over-active bladder disorder. Apparently my bladder sends messages to my brains which makes me feel as though my bladder is full, when in fact it isn't. Hence the need to use the bathroom but not the lack of bladder control.

I've never met anyone else with the same problem. Have any dis'ers experienced it? Particularly at such a young age (21, but had it since 15)

 

[pearlieq]

It started for me when I was about 19 or so. It's annoying but livable. I have a medicine called Detrol LA that reduces the frequency of visits, but I only use it on occasion when I know it will be inconvenient to have to go all the time. I try not to take too many medicines, plus it slows other things down, which is also annoying. Otherwise, everyone who knows me knows I'm going to book it to the ladies sooner or later.

I do fondly remember the days when I could just get up & go without running to the restroom first, when I slept through the night, and when I made it through a movie more than 50% of the time. Still, I'm just grateful I still have control. It could be worse.

Caffiene is a diuretic, so I would switch to decaf at the coffeeshop and try to avoid teas/sodas with caffiene. Also, last time my mom was in the hospital they told her about bladder retraining, where you worked with a doctor and went on a schedule, gradually increasing the time between visits. I don't know how well it works, but it might be worth looking into.

 

[florida-again]

It started for me when I was about 19 or so. It's annoying but livable. I have a medicine called Detrol LA that reduces the frequency of visits, but I only use it on occasion when I know it will be inconvenient to have to go all the time. I try not to take too many medicines, plus it slows other things down, which is also annoying. Otherwise, everyone who knows me knows I'm going to book it to the ladies sooner or later.

I do fondly remember the days when I could just get up & go without running to the restroom first, when I slept through the night, and when I made it through a movie more than 50% of the time. Still, I'm just grateful I still have control. It could be worse.

Caffiene is a diuretic, so I would switch to decaf at the coffeeshop and try to avoid teas/sodas with caffiene. Also, last time my mom was in the hospital they told her about bladder retraining, where you worked with a doctor and went on a schedule, gradually increasing the time between visits. I don't know how well it works, but it might be worth looking into.

I'm so glad it's not just me. The doctor I saw said he would be reluctant to give medication at this stage because it is still bearable, just annoying. One thing that really bothers me is that if I try to explain it to anyone who doesn't know me (for example I had to explain it to lady at college regarding long exams) people automatically assume I'm incontinent. Far from it, I probably have the best bladder control going because I go so often, I can't possibly be caught short!

 

[anewvance]

I have always thought I just have a small bladder. People make fun of me because of how often I have to use the bathroom. I do drink alot of water during the day though. I'm glad I don't "usually" have leakage problems...

 

[pearlieq]

Is it not commonly discussed in the UK?

In the past few years we've had TV commercials all the time advertising medicines for it. They're kind of funny because they can't really come right out and say exactly what it's for, so they have all these euphamisms and silly little songs (gotta go, gotta go, gotta go right now...)

 

[KAMLEM]

I have been like this for as long as I can remember. I get up 2-3 times a night and during the day I go about twice an hour. About 15 years ago I got tired of it so I decided to go to the doctor and I was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis. They tried giving me these awful treatments that made me smell like garlic but they never worked. I just deal with it but I have to tell you that it was almost unbearable during my pregnancies. I would be afraid to try Detrol. My youngest DD took a form of this when she was younger and she had hallucinations.

 

[florida-again]

Is it not commonly discussed in the UK?

In the past few years we've had TV commercials all the time advertising medicines for it. They're kind of funny because they can't really come right out and say exactly what it's for, so they have all these euphamisms and silly little songs (gotta go, gotta go, gotta go right now...)

It is discussed to an extent. We have commercials with older ladies who are incontinent so there are pads advertised. However, as far as medication for people who just have over-active bladders are concerned, even the first doctor I saw didn't consider it a real condition.

 

[florida-again]

I I just deal with it but I have to tell you that it was almost unbearable during my pregnancies.

People are always warning me about this....'if you're like this now, what are you going to be like when you're pregnant!'

I'll look forward to that.....

Us poor ladies, the men don't have it so hard.

 

[mariolatry]

My mom has overactive bladder. She also takes Detrol and is very happy with it. The only side effect she noticed was dry-mouth.

 

[florida-again]

I have been like this for as long as I can remember. I get up 2-3 times a night and during the day I go about twice an hour. About 15 years ago I got tired of it so I decided to go to the doctor and I was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis. They tried giving me these awful treatments that made me smell like garlic but they never worked. I just deal with it but I have to tell you that it was almost unbearable during my pregnancies. I would be afraid to try Detrol. My youngest DD took a form of this when she was younger and she had hallucinations.

I've just googled interstitial cystitis and I don't think I have it as I don't have any pain at all. Just the frequent bathroom trips. Also, although it is certainly triggered by caffiene, alcohol and really any liquid I drink, I think on occasions it appears pyschologically. For example if I'm nervous, or if I'm stuck in a situation where there is no bathroom. On these occasions I sometimes can't tell if I really do need to go or I'm just being paranoid.

 

[Christine]

I have had this as long as I can remember and it is very annoying. It is soooo, soooo bad when I am nervous too. Like tomorrow, when I go to see my surgeon it will an hour's drive away. I am not eating or drinking before I go because I will have to pee if I do. I will probably have to pee anyway. Honestly, I don't know where it comes from!!

And, take a look at one of my tags!

 

[summerrluvv]

My older sister (she is 31) has it. She goes to the bathroom every five minutes. It really does interfere with her life. She was put on Detrol for it, but now she is pregnant so she had to discontinue taking it. She said the Detrol made her really thirsty too.

 

[Zurealsoon]

The Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes

People with diabetes frequently exhibit
one or more of the following symptoms:

More frequent urination

Being very thirsty


Blurred vision

 

[summerrluvv]

The Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes

People with diabetes frequently exhibit
one or more of the following symptoms:

More frequent urination

Being very thirsty


Blurred vision

People with Diabetes urinate more because they drink more. Extreme thirst is a major sign of diabetes.

 

[chell]

People always make fun of me because I go so often. I get so sick and tired of their little comments too.

Actually I do have a small bladder and I have scar tissue in there which only adds to the problem.

One great thing about it is that I pretty much know where any and every bathroom is and can help anyone who needs to find one, especially at WDW!

Did you have any injuries or anything before you started having problems?

 

[LightBurnsBlue]

OP - sorry to hear about your overactive bladder problems...I know that it must be a pain. I have a 21 year old friend with it...she doesn't take medication, but usually goes to the bathroom about once an hour. I am definitely not saying that your case is psychological, but I will say that I had a bout of overactive bladder that lasted for a week when I was a freshman in college. It was during exam week of my second semester, and I was a nervous wreck. I was so nervous for finals and was peeing about once every 30 minutes the whole week. I went to the doctor, and they didn't know what was wrong. When exam week was over...my bladder problems went away too! Come to think of it, I had the same problem when I was 12 and was up north staying in a cabin. There was no indoor bathroom (only an outhouse about 200 feet away outside) and the first night I had to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. It was a terrifying experience, and for the whole trip I had to use the bathroom VERY frequently. Luckily, I haven't dealt with it since. My purpose of these two stories is just to say that your mind may be making it worse. I definitely think that there is a medical problem there...best of luck finding treatment (and making it through finals...very awkward when you leave in the middle and the prof thinks you are leaving to sneak a peek at your notes!)