Trouble starting to urinate (adult woman)

[AWeeTrouble]

I'm a regular but NC.

I've Googled this but can't find anything much to explain it.

I'm mid/late 40s.
2 healthy adult DCs, neither was a CS.

Despite needing to urinate at normal, regular intervals I sit there...and I sit there...for up to 45 minutes before urination starters, even when I'm 'busting'.
I've never had urinary incontinence and don't have this now.
No UTI symptoms.
When I do go my bladder does empty.
No other signs of infection though I do have IBS so some abdominal pain.

This has been happening for weeks, possibly months.

One night a while back I went for my go-to-the-loo-before-bed wee and to the amusement of DH was there for so long I fell asleep.

What could be causing this?

[Lindy2]

You need to see a doctor. I'm amazed you haven't already.

[Dodie66]

Are youon any medication?

[AWeeTrouble]

I take pregabalin 75mg at night, 25mg in the morning and 50mg atenolol every morning.

Lindy2 I haven't seen a Dr because routine appointments take 4-6 weeks here and I wouldn't be considered eligible for an urgent appointment. Tbh I didn't think it was serious and that it would just go away.

[MoMandaS]

Are you well hydrated? I had this for a couple of morning wees after a 24hr bout of sickness and diarrhoea and assumed it was due to the resulting dehydration.

[Minnie747]

Changes to bowel/bladder control should always be investigated as a matter of urgency. Personally I’d be inclined to take an emergency appointment, stating that it’s been happening for weeks.

Good luck op. Hope all is well.

[Somethingsosimple]

Could be a prolapse. I know someone who had similar symptoms and her bladder had prolapsed. Please go to the gp.

[rumptifizzer]

Urgent gp appointment needed.

[AWeeTrouble]

MoMandaS I'm generally very well hydrated.

Minnie747 I'm not sure I would get an emergency appointment. At our local Drs you have to speak to someone to triage you and it seems they don't give out non-routine appointments unless you have a temperature above 40c I don't or you're oozing pus from every orifice.

[bionicnemonic]

Urinary retention sounds like it’s a side effect of pregabalin

[gamerchick]

Have you tried standing in the bath and seeing if the position helps?

Bit gross and probably will need to stick the shower on for a rinse off I know.

[AWeeTrouble]

I've tried all sorts gamerchick and nothing works or helps.

It can be bionicnemonic and that would be a real possibility but I've been taking pregabalin for 4+ years, I took a daily dose of 600mg for over a year. During all of that time I've been able to go to the loo until now.

[WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo]

I sometimes get this. Partly caused by my bladder moving after abdominal surgery, but exacerbated by medication. When it's really bad I sit on the loo facing the wrong way and lean forward onto the cistern. It was recommended by a GP and seems to help get the bladder into a better position.

Definitely make a GP appointment ASAP. I hope it clears up quickly

[MollyHuaCha]

GP for you please, OP. Hope you get it sorted soon.

[AWeeTrouble]

Ok. Message received loud and clear, I'll try to break the Crystal Maze style code to an urgent appointment.

I'll report back if anyone is interested when I know more but that could be a while if I need a routine appointment.

FWIW I don't have any other symptoms of a prolapse but from Dr Google kidney stones would seem to be a possibility.

LeslieKnope Parks and Rec was one of my favourites.

Thank you everyone for giving me the push I needed

[KingIrving]

My friend has MS and inability to empty bladder was one of her first symptom, along with a funny feeling in her foot, trouble doing basic calculation.

So definitely worth a GP visit .

[gamerchick]

I'll report back if anyone is interested when I know more but that could be a while if I need a routine appointment

Yes absolutely report back. Good luck.

[WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo]

Good luck AWee (and excellent taste!)

[WhatNow40]

I have this, but not all the time. Also a pregabalin user. It depends what you take this for as to whether it could be related to you medical condition. I also struggle to swallow food sometimes. We've found that I'm struggling to engage the basic muscle movements that happen without conscious thought normally. I use a visualisation technique to pee when needed.

I picture a canal and the lock gate. Then imagine undoing the gate and picture the water slowly coming through until it's a big gush of water! Hey presto, pee!

Good luck!

[AWeeTrouble]

Warm your hands folks, I have an update...

Saw the GP today, I took in a preemptive wee sample.
As I suspected, no UTI.

Dr asked about a prolapse, I said I didn't think so.
Dr looked, no prolapse.

We went through my medication, Dr said it wasn't that I didn't think it was.

I'm being referred to urology, I don't know how long that will take but I'm not entirely convinced it's urology either tbh. 🤷🏼‍♀️

The obvious things have been ruled out.
Any other suggestions welcome.

[SallyWD]

I had something similar (turned out to be prolapse) but they did suggest I might have an ovarian cyst pushing on the bladder. Also kidney problems can cause difficulty urinating. I'm sure they'll get to the bottom of it.

[AWeeTrouble]

No pun intended SallyWD?

After todays examination I'm even more sure than I already was that it's not a prolapse.
In fact, so thorough was the examination that I think I can say with some confidence that none of my internal organs have prolapsed. Been temporarily dislodged maybe, but not prolapsed.

To be serious for a moment I've had ovarian cysts before so I wouldn't be shocked if it was the same again.

Or something else.
Oh heck, I don't know.
I just know I'm at that age when other women seem to cough and some wee drips out for which I have nothing but sympathy while I'm heading in the other direction.

[bonzo77]

I had this. It was one of the symptoms of what turned out to be a severe pelvic infection and the associated swelling in one of my ovaries and the tube on that side. My understanding is that it can be a symptom of a mass in the pelvis. Not necessarily cancer (mine was not).

[Lougle]

Were you lying down or sitting up when you were examined? I have a prolapse, I know I do. I can feel the weakened area and I have trouble with bowel motions, as well as delayed urination because the bowel contents bulge in front of the bladder, blocking it. When I clear the blockage, I can urinate again, even if I thought I had already 'been'.

However, when I went to the DRs, she examined me lying down. As gravity is effective, the bulge wasn't evident to her gaze, and she didn't feel inside for a weakening.

So, it's not always so that going to the doctor will reveal it.

[Voulezvous]

I had this when I had a very large ovarian cyst.

My mum had it when she had large fibroids. Eventually she couldn't wee at all and had to go to A&E to be catherised.

Basically any large growth in the lower abdomen can press against the bladder cause problems weeing.

We both had other symptoms though.

Urology will be able to rule out problems with bladder/kidneys if nothing else, so it's a good starting point.

[MuddlePuddle]

My friend had trouble urinating after she used scented sanitary towels. She had an allergic reaction that caused swelling of her urethra. Just thought I would mention this in case it is relevant.