Can't hold it in when at home

[weeweeweeassoonasigethome]

I'm 44 and around 2 stone overweight (I exercise for an hour daily and mostly eat healthily and BP fine). For the last couple of years whenever I'm at home (mornings in particular), or approaching home after the school run for instance, once I feel the need to pee I have to go immediately. It's not a feeling of my bladder being full, it's like the pee is just there in my urinary tract. Often on the way to the loo the pee will leak out and there's nothing I can do. This morning was the worst though. I felt the need to go as soon as I saw my house which was a couple of minutes walk away, took ages to get the dog's lead off and unlock the door (sods law!) and had to rush to the loo while doing a proper pee, not just drips.

When I'm out I can go for hours without needing to go, and even when I feel that dull ache in my bladder that tells me I'll need to go soon, I never have any accidents.

I do daily pelvic floor exercises as part of my job, often several times a day, but even squeezing these muscles when the urge comes does nothing.

Anybody else experience this? Is it just my age combined with the fact that I'm overweight? Is it time to start buying lady nappies? Would you bother the doctor with this?

TIA

No experience but yes I'd probably chat to the dr.

Definitely go and see your doctor. There is plenty they do to help. If you have a bladder prolapse (where the bladder droops down after childbirth) then it can cause this leaking. I would stop any exercise that uses your stomach muscles (like sit ups) as these will make it worse. Running is not great either as you are banging the organs up and down, walking is fine. Sometimes driving if the clutch of the car is stiff can press my pelvic floors. Hormonal changes can cause the ligaments to slacken too which is why women find this happening as they get older.
If the bladder is prolapsed or you have muscle damage after childbirth, pelvic floors won't help that much (but don't stop doing them as they help other ways!). Ask the GP about an assessment by a specialist physio if they think that would help.

There is a fairly simple operation called a TVT where a little sling is inserted under the urethra to just keep it hoisted up so you don't get this leakage.

I have had bladder prolapse and posterior repairs done for other reasons not urinary incontinence.

Thanks Sadie. Walking in the woods, which involves a bit of climbing is the only exercise I do and as much walking as I can do at other times during the day. No sit-ups or running.

If it is a pro-lapsed bladder though, wouldn't I be the same all the time, not just when I'm at home and only in the mornings? I was wondering if it was psychological as I can go for hours when away from the house, even in the morning.

I'm due a check up with gp soon so will mention this.

Thanks for the reply and to Clarella too

Might be overactive bladder syndrome. I got through spates of this, always when at home strangely. Then can go for weeks without it happening. The bladder training helps.

Thanks ender, have just read your link.

I'm definitely going to go to the gp to get it checked out.

I'm just perplexed that it mainly happens in the mornings or when I've just come home. Today I went out at 1pm, drank around a litre of fluid during the afternoon (it's normally more but wasn't possible today) after having drunk a large mug of coffee and a pint of squash after my accident, and returned home at 7pm. Up to the point I got out of the car I had no urgent need for the loo, but as soon as I stepped through the front door that was it - I threw the takeaway at DH, barged through the DC's and dog like a rugby player and just managed to make it in time.

I suppose I'm lucky that it only happens at home

Strange alright. Let us know what doc says whenever. Try keeping a diary of when it happens and when and what and how much you drank...see if there is a pattern.

I have this and read on here about Key in the Door syndrome. Dr Google explains it, although I couldn't find any cures fot it.

Not much help to you now but I remember as a child (around 11-14 ish years) I could go all day without peeing at school, be fine and perfectly comfortable on the walk home etc. but the second I could see my house as I walked up the road, I HAD to go and often only just made it in time. It was very weird- I think definitely more psychological than physiological because it only happened at home. I grew out of it so maybe this is a phase that will pass for you.

westcountrywoman - I wish I could grow a bit more (barely 5') but at 44 I think I'm past the stage of growing out of things. But thanks for making me laugh though, even if that wasn't the way you intended it

I've googled Key in the Door syndrome and some posters suggest using a distraction technique which I'll try tomorrow. I'll let you know how I get on.

Dr Google has a lot to answer for though. I'm now wondering if all the breathing exercises I do as a classical singing coach have pushed my bladder out of place. I have a six-pack to die for, but it's very well hidden under the mummy tummy .

I'm the same as you. Can be not needing a wee but as soon as I pull up on my own drive I have to chuck the bags and kids and run up the stairs.

I got home from walking the dog at 10ish and was definitely distracted by the fact that I discovered the dog had had an accident in the living room while I was out doing the school run. She always meets me at the door so I don't go into the house between getting back from the school run and taking her for a walk. Also, the results of the election have played a big part in taking my mind off my bladder.

I feel a slight need to go, but I'm not desperate. That may change as I approach the bathroom though, but as long as I get into the bathroom I don't mind.

I get this too. Counting seems to work for me, a bit just to help me get to the loo. It's definitely psychological though:

www.encognitive.com/node/6624

When I have been recently enough to be sure I don't really need to go, distraction definitely works.