u/ZenCapivara

Hey there! Been a long time lurker in this sub, but now I've decided to share my experience, maybe it'll help some folks out there.

I'm AFAB, 38. Thinking back I think I've had some degree of OAB for quite a few years now, but it's started to affect my quality of life more in the last few years. I've also had nocturia for so long, I can't honestly remember one night I haven't had to hit the loo 2/3 times - it's now tied to my crappy sleep schedule.

I used to be able to go on trips, and use public transportation without it being an issue. But then pandemic hit and I became a remote worker, so I feel like that has definitely affected my anxiety regarding OAB.

But I can't really put it all to anxiety, I know there was a definite physical component to it. As a side note, I have a few kidney stones, but they're small enough and haven't really caused any issues lately. I never had any actual incontinence.

Until recently I'd get these intense urges at times, besides the ever present background urge there - like my bladder awareness never really turned off. Sometimes these urges would be accompanied by small urethra spasms that were really uncomfortable, or bladder pain. This could happen even if I went recently, it would be almost random.

Thankfully, this has subsided ever since I fixed some of my eating habits. I am not celiac (got tested for it), but I've realized I had some food intolerances that affected my gut badly - I'd be constipated for close to a week at times, besides the gut pain, and I think it also affected my bladder, since it's right there.

I also have Hashimoto's, so I linked my gut issues to that condition for too long, since my metabolism is slow, but I can now say for sure I am intolerant to some processed foods.

I've also cut off caffeine, rather unfortunately, since I do love my coffee. I don't drink fizzy drinks and no alcohol either.

All of this has helped me substantially - I can now hold comfortably for 2 hours while sitting, and roughly 1 hour while out and about, though that's the thing I wish would improve still, so I don't have to keep being focused on where the closest toilets are on a day out.

As a side note, maybe tmi for some of you folks, but being someone who has periods, my symptoms actually improve during that time of the month - and I use tampons. So I suspect some physical aspect is related to this too.

I've complained to a GP about this and she put me on Betmiga, but I feel it actually made me worse, so I stopped taking it. I'm hesitant to seeing an urologist because I don't want any invasive testing done.

Things I'm trying for now:

Tens Unit 30 minutes a day - still have to see an improvement, although I just got started.

Stocked up on Pumpkin Seed Oil.

I've downloaded BladderHealth app to keep track of the times I go.

TL;DR: check what you're eating for any intolerances - if your gut isn't happy, it might very well affect your bladder. Cut down on the caffeine.

Thanks if you read all of that! I'm open to suggestions!