To ask you what is wrong with my bladder (posting for traffic)

[Typhoon78]

Posting here for traffic after zero replies on General Health.

I’ve had something wrong with my bladder for years and years and although it hasn’t been too bad for the last few years it’s flared up again and so I’m back to trying to find something to explain my symptoms. The problem started well before I had kids and hasn’t worsened much after 2 pregnancies. Basically, I have discomfort/pressure AFTER I’ve had a wee. It’s like my bladder is still full and someone is pressing on it. I would describe it as uncomfortable rather than painful. I don’t have any pain or burning during urination and as my bladder fills up it’s slightly less uncomfortable. It isn’t affected by diet, caffeine, alcohol but it is affected by exercise. I can’t ride a bike, do sit-ups or really do any exercise because if I do I know that it will be more uncomfortable after I go for my next wee and won’t settle down to (my version of) normal for a few days. Lifting heavy-ish stuff also does the same. I have zero continence issues and more often than not go all night without having to go for a wee. My GP arranged a urine test which came back normal and she’s sending me for an ultrasound in a few weeks. I’ve read a lot about Interstitial Cystitis but my symptoms don’t fit and despite trawling the internet I can’t find anything which explains what I have. Does this ring a bell with anyone?

Yes, I've suffered with similar symptoms for years. It's so frustrating. I've had dip tests, ultra sounds, cystoscopies and they've found nothing. I'm currently under a specialist but still not getting anywhere. I've come to the conclusion there's not really much that can be done. I'm convinced some of it is due to hormones as my symptoms always seem to be worse when I'm ovulating and just before my period. Also raw tomatoes and chocolate seem to make it worse.
I've been told by the specialist that there are multiple causes of these symptoms though, so they have to work there way through and discount things ones at a time. They only diagnose interstitial cystitis once they've ruled out everything else.

Sorry to not be able to give you anything more positive!

Kidney problems can cause these symptoms - a feeling of pressure and needing to urinate (even if you've just been). I hope they investigate that. I had the same symptoms but for me it was prolapse related. My uterus was pushing down on to the bladder firming a pocket so it was hard for me to fully empty my bladder. I hope you get it sorted. I know how much it can affect your quality of life.

You could have pelvic floor dysfunction, or possibly you’re not voiding properly after having a pee, which would make it feel like there is more to come.

Have you seen a women’s physio specialist? That would be my advice.

I've just remembered my doctor said it could also be an ovarian cyst pushing on the bladder. There are many possible causes.

I had an similar issue, and it turned out I had a large ovarian cyst that was sitting on my bladder and bowel. So I had the uncomfortable feeling in my bladder you describe for quite a while. Eventually the cyst twisted and was extremely painful, I had an ultrasound and a CT scan and it was diagnosed, and removed. So hopefully an ultrasound might help with your diagnosis.

Crossed posted!

I had those symptoms and have had both ovarian cysts and pelvic floor disfunction / hypertonic pelvic floor. I don't know which caused it but maybe look up both and see if anything else rings a bell.

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far and for the helpful advice. After reading so much about IC I know that whatever I have isn’t as bad as some people have to deal with but I would just like to get to the bottom of it and maybe be able to do some exercise! I had ultrasounds when pregnant, of course, but I’m guessing that whatever it is may not have shown up there so we’ll see. My GP is nice but when she said that maybe I just feel my bladder working more than other people I could’ve punched her!

It could be endometriosis. It can be hard to diagnose as symptoms vary from person to person and you need to have surgery for a full diagnosis...which I never did. I had the exact same symptoms you described and tried the endometriosis diet and for the first time in years I feel like a fully functioning person! Hooray. Hope you find some relief and answers! xx

@Typhoon78 Hi there! Did you ever get to the bottom of this?
I have the same issues pretty much exactly. Started in July and assumed it was cystitis (even though I never get it). I've tested negative for UTI too. I'm uncomfortable AFTER peeing too. Pee doesn't burn either; just an ongoing cystitis -type irritation up in the bladder. It's the pits. 😥

Hi. I had an ultrasound and a cystoscopy and a MRI which were all clear. The Urology team really didn't seem that curious about what it is. Anyway, I spent a lot of time trying to understand it and last month I went to see a Women's Health Physio who specialises in pelvic floor issues. A pp recommended this. It's too early to say if this will resolve it but at least she seems a bit more interested and I've definitely come to the conclusion that it's something to do with my pelvic floor rather than my bladder.

I currently have a embedded UTI. Very difficult to get rid of but it matches your symptoms.
Basically long term antibiotics are the best chance of getting rid of it.
Doctors are useless with this condition, there's a specialist in London called Professor Malone Lee. If you think that what you have is the same sort of thing then I'd suggest making an appointment with them. Forget urologists/doctors as they tend to downplay and misdiagnose this condition.

I get this too!! It sort of feels like a weird pressure on the urethra doesn't it?? It's horribly uncomfortable, I hate it