How long did the medication take for your symptoms too stay consistent ? I’m 5 weeks in and some days my oab symptoms are great , but then I also have the odd bad day ! Will this stabilise later on ?
I'm a M24 and I have had urinary symptoms since december. I have also had other symptoms such as discomfort in left flank. When this frequent urination issue started, I had to go every 5 minutes that first night, then it got better. Now it is periods where sometimes I go every hour, other times every 2-3 hours then times where I can go 6 hours or so in between. I feel like when I don't think or worry about my symptoms it helps me in going less?. The frequent urination also started after I took something to help me with stool movements as I struggled with this at that time.
With this frequent urination symptom I also sometimes wake up once during the night with the feeling of having to pee, sometimes I go pee and fall back asleep other times I just go back to sleep without peeing. I also dribble urine as well as have to push/strain at the end to get the last drops. Sometimes starting to urinate takes like 10 seconds as well. There can also be this sensation at the tip of my penis that feels like urine is stuck in the urethra?.
I have taken urine-tests, a CT scan of kidney and urinary tracts which came back normal other than invisible blood in the urine sample, don't remember what it was called.
I don't know what to do, and I'm wondering if anyone here have the same symptoms? I'm planning to get married end of the year and I really don't want to start that chapter of my life with these problems.. I'm begging you for input. Is this overactive bladder? Is it anxiety as all of this started during my master's degree.
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!
I have I think hypertonic pelvic floor issues
This started some months ago feeling like I need to pee a lot.
The feeling never went away and was around every day
Had lots of tests that showed nothing up
Over the last few weeks I have focussed a lot on this as is often the case and gone down a rabbit hole
The thing is when I say I need to pee a lot I do produce a lot of clear urine
Initially I felt like I needed to go but often didn’t actually have a full bladder
Recently I do though pee a huge amount all the time and even if I don’t drink I can pee for 30 seconds straight every 2 hours all day long
Anyone else with bladder issues relating to the pelvic floor who do actually pee lots rather than just feeling like they need to pee or people who swap between both issues ?
I got my first uti January of this year and I was Given antibiotics, but then my symptoms got worse o went to the er and they told me to stop using them cuz I don’t have one. 7 days later I got a call from my doc saying that my culture urine test came back positive but I didn’t have anymore symptoms. Fast forward March 20 that’s when I got the symptoms back and stronger went to the er I was told I have a uti got antibiotics again, but it didn’t help and they gave me antibiotics for 7 days I felt better for about 10 days. And ever since then I been having crazy burning and urgency and lower belly pain. I saw urologist and was told that I could start bladder installations. Also, they gave me your uribel and Azo and hydroxzine (which is nightly). My symptoms get worse after my periods. I think I might have embedded uti because I always get UTI’s like after my periods. I might talk to my doctor maybe I can start physical therapy but I’m so tired of the burn and especially the burning. I stopped eating and drinking food that can irritate my bladder but nothing is helping me. I also noticed that when I take d-mannose the burning becomes stronger, that what makes me thinking I have bacteria stuck into my bladder wall.
If anyone has any advice please share them with me something that can help with the burning after urination.
PLZ HELP IM STILL A VERY YOUNG WOMAN WHO IS STRUGGLING WITH THIS.
Hey all, I (35m) have been diagnosed with OAB and urge incon. I have been wearing guards and the occasional pullup to deal with and spurts or drips that come out before I can make it to the toilet. Last week I was at the beach with my wife and her parents and since it was a bit of a drive I decided to wear a pullup. As soon as we get there I find a restroom and go. Not 30 min later we are walking on the beach far from any restroom and the urge hits again. Not wanting to have to run to try and find a restroom, I decided to let go just a little which of course turned into more than I intended. I had a change with me and was able to do it all discreetly.
My question that has been on my mind, is how many people here wear and use diapers or pullups even if there is a possibility they might still make it to the bathroom in time. Basically so that it doesn't affect you living your life without constantly having to find a restroom.
Final poll of this series. Not every poll has to be heavy. When symptoms, leaks, urgency, or poor sleep make the day harder, what small comfort helps most?
I was wondering if anyone else has the same thing?
2 months ago I (22F) suddenly developed a permanent urge to pee. The first two weeks were terrible, like very urgent urges even after I urinated. My streams were slow and weak.
I got tested for UTI and had an ultrasound done, both came back normal.
I have some terrible days, but usually I just feel this very annoying, permanent, mild urge to urinate all the time! I've been trying to take deep breathes, postponing voiding by 1-3hrs, relaxing my pelvic floor, but nothing seems to make a difference. (I don't consume any caffeine or alcohol.)
I'm seeing an urologist soon, as my family doctor thinks I might have OAB but wants a diagnostic before prescribing any meds. She discouraged me from seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist because "I'm young, never given birth, etc." However, I'm still planning on seeing one for an initial assessment in a few months.
I have 24/7 urge to urinate. I get brief relief when I go, but the feeling of not fully emptying my bladder comes back rapidly. I can’t concentrate on any work or get sleep. From the urgency and pain of frequent urination, it’s making me feel disabled and nonfunctional. How do I fix this?
M19 whenever I pee or just whenever I constantly have an annoying feeling of needing to pee again, no pain or stinging just an uncomfortable sensation. This has been going on since October last year, I’ve done sti tests and what not what do I do?
I’m 23F and I’ve been dealing with chronic bladder/urinary issues for a long time, but lately it feels unbearable.
My issue is not just a “feeling” that I need to pee. I actually pee a lot. Sometimes I’ll have very pronounced streams and pee large amounts of clear liquid, then need to pee again within 10 minutes (and sometimes it happens early in the morning when I haven’t even had one sip of water or coffee). There are times where I feel like I can’t even get off the toilet because I keep peeing. Then when I finally do get off the toilet, I can feel myself filling up again almost immediately.
It feels like my body is constantly producing urine, especially clear urine, and I don’t understand why. This is what makes it so hard to function. It’s not only urgency or bladder discomfort. It’s the fact that I am actually voiding significant amounts, repeatedly, close together.
I’ve had so many tests done already: ultrasounds, a 24-hour urine collection, diabetes testing, a cystoscopy, PFT, medications, and other investigations. Nothing has explained it. The only medical thing that has ever come up is that I have a small scar on one kidney, but otherwise I’ve been told things look normal.
Emotionally, this is destroying me. I cry all the time because I feel trapped by my bladder. I’m scared to leave the house because I don’t know when I’ll suddenly need to pee again, or whether I’ll be stuck somewhere without easy bathroom access. I’m starting grad school in September, and instead of being excited, I’m terrified about how I’m supposed to sit through classes, meetings, social events, or normal life if this keeps happening.
I’m not asking Reddit to diagnose me. I’m asking if anyone has experienced something similar: frequent large-volume urination, clear urine, peeing again shortly after going, and feeling like your bladder fills right back up.
Thank you to anyone who takes the time to read this and comment.
Hello
I’ve been dealing with ongoing bladder and vaginal issues since last summer. It all started with a UTI, and I ended up taking about five courses of antibiotics. After that, I developed what was likely a yeast infection, and my vaginal pH was 6.0.
Since then, I’ve had persistent symptoms. Either my bladder burns or aches, I constantly feel aware of it, or I have vaginal discomfort. After having a bowel movement, I often have to urinate several times because it feels like my bladder isn’t empty.
The strange part is that my symptoms come in waves. Sometimes they suddenly improve, then a few days later they’re back. On some days my bladder feels extremely full even though I’ve barely had anything to drink. When I do go to the bathroom, my bladder actually is full.
I’ve been taking Spasmex for about three months, but I honestly feel like it only helps a little. At the same time, I can’t seem to manage without medication either.
I’ve also tried countless supplements including D Mannose, cranberry, slippery elm bark, marshmallow root, and several others. Some of them seem to help for a while, but then the symptoms always come back.
I’ve been dealing with this for almost a year now. Has anyone experienced something similar or figured out what was causing it?
Hello,
I’ve been dealing with ongoing bladder and vaginal issues since last summer. It all started with a UTI, and I ended up taking about five courses of antibiotics. After that, I developed what was likely a yeast infection, and my vaginal pH was 6.0.
Since then, I’ve had persistent symptoms. Either my bladder burns or aches, I constantly feel aware of it, or I have vaginal discomfort. After having a bowel movement, I often have to urinate several times because it feels like my bladder isn’t empty.
The strange part is that my symptoms come in waves. Sometimes they suddenly improve, then a few days later they’re back. On some days my bladder feels extremely full even though I’ve barely had anything to drink. When I do go to the bathroom, my bladder actually is full.
I’ve been taking Spasmex for about three months, but I honestly feel like it only helps a little. At the same time, I can’t seem to manage without medication either.
I’ve also tried countless supplements including D Mannose, cranberry, slippery elm bark, marshmallow root, and several others. Some of them seem to help for a while, but then the symptoms always come back.
I’ve been dealing with this for almost a year now. Has anyone experienced something similar or figured out what was causing it?
I might be getting the interstim for IC in the next 2 months. After lots if research and reddit posts that I have read I am soo soo scared. I see people say they have been left with chronic nerve pain or back pain etc. I'm so scared I don't even know if I must still get it? Any honest advice?
How is your bladder supposed to feel like during bladder training?
For context, I (22F) start feeling the urge to pee right after voiding. I can usually delay my void by 1-3hrs (the void amount after isn't consistent, sitting randomly between 20-150ml), but I still feel the same initial urge consistently or increase during the waiting period. I never reach a "oh I forgot I wanted to pee" moment.
Basically, is that what my bladder is supposed to feel, at least at the beginning of bladder training?
How long did it take you to stop feeling the urge to pee constantly?
My issues started around the winter of late 2023. I was with my girlfriend at the time, and out of nowhere, I went semi-flaccid. Prior to that incident, our sex life was fantastic and we never had any issues. What makes this so shocking to me is that I am 27 years old and was in the healthiest shape of my life at that point. I was lifting weights 5 to 6 times a week and swimming regularly. To give a full picture of my health, I do have thalassemia, but I have absolutely no diabetes and no other underlying health issues.
The Symptoms
Since that day, my erections just have not been the same. Around the exact same time the ED started, I also began experiencing dribbling during urination.
Treatments & Frustrations
My primary doctor recommended Viagra, but the experience felt very weird to me. I have also explored using 5mg of Tadalafil. While there are options, it is a tough pill to swallow mentally because I really do not want to be reliant on medication for the rest of my life. I want to find the root cause.
The most frustrating part is the medical system. I have been scheduled to see a urologist since 2024, but they keep delaying my appointment, and I have not been attended to yet.
Next Steps?
Because of the constant delays, I am seriously considering flying to another country for a comprehensive checkup and faster care. I am currently looking into Turkey as an option. (Currently residing in Alberta )
My questions for the community:
 Has anyone experienced this combination of sudden ED and urinary dribbling, especially while being highly active?
 Could thalassemia play a hidden role here, even if I have been otherwise completely healthy?
 Did anyone figure out the root cause for these specific symptoms?
 Has anyone traveled internationally (like to Turkey) for urology care, and what was your experience?
Thank you so much in advance for taking the time to read this. Any advice, similar stories, or guidance would be incredibly appreciated.
TL;DR: 27M in great shape developed sudden ED and urinary dribbling in late 2023. I have thalassemia but no diabetes or other health issues. Meds like Viagra/Tadalafil are a temporary fix, but I do not want a lifetime prescription. My urologist appointment has been delayed for over a year. I am considering traveling to Turkey for care and looking for advice or similar experiences.
Im 24 i've been suffering from weak stream , hesitancy and inability to empty bladder completely tried literally everything but with no improvement on tamsulin worked and improved symptoms alot and many doctors kept saying it was prostatitis until i had a cystoscope and doctor found a very high bladder neck i had the bladder neck incision surgery just single incision to preserve ejaculation 4 weeks ago because even the tamsulin was working but i couldn't tolerate it's side effects i had to take it ever other day to handle it after removal of the catheter i felt stream improvement no retrograde ejaculation fortunately but on the next couple of day stream weakened again is it to early to judge the surgery outcomes
For the last three months, I (31F) have been having what feels like “I could pee” all the time. It’s not an emergency urge, it’s just the sensation that I could go pee at any time even after I’ve just gone. I can hold it, it doesn’t feel like a sudden emergency.
The weird part is, I do actually go. Like I can pee, and immediately after feel like I can pee again, wait 20 minutes and when I do I do actually pee. So I feel like I am actually producing a lot more urine than usual. I’m not hydrating more than usual (I’ve actually been dehydrated a bit for the past few times I’ve gotten blood work).
I have a large fibroid (3 inches) that I had a procedure done to shrink last year (it was previously 5 inches). None of my doctors seem to think that’s related though, including the urologist, gynecologist, and my Interventional Radiologist doctor who did my fibroid procedure.
Ultrasound showed I am voiding completely but the urologists scanner was being thrown off by my fibroid and their scanner thought I was retaining urine.
Urologist insists I try medication for OAB but I don’t feel like I have the classic symptoms of OAB. It never feels urgent, and if I go to pee I do actually pee quite a bit (not dribbling or leaking, not waking up at night to go, etc).
I don’t want to take medication if I don’t have to (I’m already on other medications for other things and I just don’t want more if I don’t have to).
Looking to get thoughts/hear about other people’s experiences
I’ve been dealing with urinary urgency/frequency for about a year now, and I honestly don’t know where to go from here.
I pee probably around 15 times a day. Usually it’s a normal amount, not just a few drops, but I constantly feel like I need to go. I don’t have burning, pain, leaking, blood in my urine… literally just urgency.
One thing that’s confusing is that it isn’t 100% consistent. Every once in a while I’ll have a random week where I feel almost normal and don’t pee nearly as much. Then, without anything changing, it’ll go right back to me peeing all the time for weeks.
I’ve been trying to figure out a pattern, but I can’t. I drink the same coffee, eat pretty much the same foods, and have the same routine. One week I can drink my usual coffee and be fine, and the next week I’ll drink the exact same thing and be running to the bathroom all day. That’s why I’ve never been convinced it’s just caffeine or one specific food.
I’ve kept a bladder diary, so I’ve tracked my bathroom trips. I haven’t done a detailed food diary because, honestly, nothing seems to line up. My symptoms seem to come and go regardless of whether I’m eating or drinking the exact same things.
I’ve been trying to think back to when this all started, and one thing I can’t stop wondering about is birth control. I was on Nikki, but I was terrible about taking it. I’d go on it, stop it, restart it, miss pills… yes, I know that’s not how you’re supposed to take it. 😅 Then I restarted it again, and about a month later this all started. I stopped taking it shortly after because I wondered if it was related, but I’ve been off it for a long time now and nothing has changed. I’m not saying the birth control caused it—I just can’t ignore the timing.
I’ve had what feels like every test.
Urine tests/cultures: normal
Blood work: normal
Bladder ultrasound: normal (I empty completely)
Cystoscopy: normal
Now my urologist wants me to do urodynamics, but I’m kind of hesitant. I guess I’m wondering if it actually gave anyone answers or if it was more like, “Yep, you have urgency,” without really changing anything.
I’ve also tried Uribel and both versions of oxybutynin (extended-release and immediate-release). I honestly don’t think I gave the oxybutynin a fair chance because I stopped after about a week or two due to the dry mouth. I still have the short-acting version and take it once in a while, but not consistently enough to know if it helps.
I also did pelvic floor PT for a little while. She did internal work, and I think I may have been starting to feel a little better, but I stopped going before I really knew whether it was helping.
I’m honestly just tired of always thinking about where the nearest bathroom is. If anyone has gone through something similar, I’d love to hear your experience.
Did you ever get an actual diagnosis?
Was urodynamic testing worth it?
Did anything end up helping?
Does anyone else have symptoms that randomly improve for a few days or a week and then come right back for no obvious reason?
I feel like I’m missing a piece of the puzzle, and I’d really appreciate hearing from people who’ve been through something similar.
I know it sounds silly because if im holding my bladder then of course I'm more likely to pee my pants, but its not like that.
I heard that if you are doing things like peeing before a long car ride, a movie, etc. even if you dont have to go then you are telling your bladder to alert you to the need to pee when your bladder isn't even full. Now, I have a terrible problem of having to get up and pee in the middle of the night every night, so for this reason I've been waiting until my bladder is more full to go pee. Its working, I dont really have to pee in the middle of the night anymore, however, I now have this weird sensation in my urethra when I have to pee. Its like it leaks. I dont fully pee in my pants but I can feel that small amounts of pee are dangerously close to leaking out and it feels like I can't really stop it. And the thing is that I dont feel like my bladder is even that full when it happens!! This just started happening when I made the conscious decision to stop peeing so often.
Is this related to me trying to train my bladder to hold more pee and how do I reverse this 🥲