never feel like bladder is empty ...

[FortyCoats]

Anyone else have this?

I've ruled out UTI
Thrush
Cystitis

Mentioned it to the doc and she said probably a bladder prolapse and it was part or aging. I'm 37

I've since googled prolapse and one of the main signs seems to be protruding tissue from fanjo but I don't have that.

I don't always feel like I need to go but when I do it's like my bladder just won't empty. The urge to go is still there and if I strain I go a bit more. Could do this 10 or more times each time. It's driving me crazy!

My sister had/has this issue a year or so ago, I'm just annoyed I can't remember what she was told by the doc, it wasn't an age thing as she's only just turned 21.

Yeah. I'm really not convinced it's prolapse because of the age thing either though maybe I'm wrong to assume 37 is too young. I just assumed things like that came later in life.

It's so irritating whatever it is.

Away to google some more

I have quite a bit of stress incontinence, which is caused by prolapse of the bladder when the abdominal muscles contract (sneezing, coughing, running, for example).
It doesn't feel like it's not empty, though. I can empty it fine.

And the specialist I consulted was adamant that I was too young to have it (at 43).

So, I'd see another doctor and push for a proper assessment.

If it doesn't empty properly it could lead to UTIs.

I've had some episodes of that actually. Sneezing, laughing etc. It's not every time but has definitely happened a few times.

I get on/off cystitis-like symptoms quite a bit too but it's never a full-blown, needs treatment bout lasting a couple of days, more like an hour and then nothing for a week or more.

Think you're right, back to the doctor. A different one.

Thanks :)

I had this and it was due to an ovarian cyst and endometriosis. Mine only lasted a week or so but maybe get a pelvic exam?

Yep, I think that's how I'll go. All the straining can't be good either so better get a second opinion.

Thanks for your replies :)

Google Interstitial Cystitis.

Thanks HH, I will :)

I used to get this feeling a lot in my 40's and early 50's. I was told it was wall of uterus falling slightly and pressing on bladder. It must have righted itself as I haven't had the problem for a few years. I sympathise, it is a horrid thing to suffer from.

I've had this for a few years, I retain urine they suspect it's caused by a urethral stricture.

I have been intermittent self catheterising for over 2 years and I am 24, so definitely not age!

When I go I just feel like I still need to, sometimes (tmi) wiggling my urethral area about seems to help me go a bit more.

This is probably basic and not much use but have you tried leaning over a touching the ground/ your toes while on the toilet to make sure you get every little bit out?

walkingisuseless

If it persists you could ask for a referral to the continenceclinic for urodynamics testing, the nurses fill your bladder by a catheter, you wee into a computerised toilet and the computer makes a very detailed analysis of your weeing capabilities, so the right treatment can be suggested. It's not as bad as it sounds! You can have prolapses that don't stick out, they start out just pushing against the vaginal wall, straining is likely to make them worse.

Try waiting for a minute after peeing, sit up very straight and peeing again to see if any more can come out. Apparently lady Di did this to spend less time on the loo at parties.

walking That's how I pee all the time now as it helps a lot!

ssmd That helps me too. Did you always have it or was it something that started, was investigated and then the self-catheterising?

sn2 I though it might be womb related as my period has become shorter but much heavier over 2 days now verses the 5-7 days it used to be so I thought maybe it's become slacker/prolapsed a bit and the bladder is subsequently affected.

What's really getting me is... you the feeling you get that tells you you need to wee? That feeling/urge doesn't stop once I've gone. It's not painful, more 'stuck'. I can't describe it better, sorry

Does it come and go, and does it seem linked to periods/hormones? I've had something similar, a kind of feeling of fullness and needing to go, but then I don't. No incontinence and still able to jump around with full bladder etc, just annoying.

I have, as a separate issue, been diagnosed with failing ovaries (so early peri menopause, I'm 35) and I wonder if it's linked to estrogen levels or similar. I'm going to mention it at my next check up. I went on the pill for a while and it went away completely. It also goes away completely for a few weeks after I get an (increasingly rare) period. I've had internal scans etc but apparently not fibroids or anything else visible.

It's intermittent throughout the month but now you mention hormones... I was told after a failed IVF cycle a couple of years ago, that my ovaries were barely doing anything and I should expect early menopause. I kind of suspected that's what was happening when my cycle changed from 5-7days to 2-3 at most but became much heavier, like nightmare heavy. I've gone through more bedsheets in the last few months than the several years before. It's still regular though

I need some tests I think to try to figure it all out.

I haven't always had it, think it appeared sometime when I was first pregnant 4 years ago. I can't really remember.

I had to really fight to get it investigated, it was actually the final point was me posting a thread on here because it got to the point I couldn't go at all, was convinced to go to maternity A+E, they left me waiting for hours as non-emergency and when they eventually examined and catheterised me, wanted to admit me as it was so bad!

I see a Uro nurse and being taught to self catheterise (was taught that night at A+E) is a bit embarrassing but it's now no bother at all. Make sure you go back as it can cause all sorts of problems if you start retaining a lot.

I explain that feeling as being sort of itchy.

Yes! Itchy. It's horrible.

Thanks for the info. I'll be hell for leather to get them to do something because I really don't want it leading to bigger problems.

Thanks everyone :)

Interstitial cystitis? There was a huge thread on here a while back if you have a search.

My mum had it - they did some stretchy procedure (sure there's a technical term) to her urethra which seems to have sorted it.

Yeah, that is dilatation, they use urethral sounds to stretch it out, done under local or general. I'm refusing to have it done as there is a risk of incontinence... But I think the risk is small and I'm just so used to catheterising now that it's more risk than it's worth to me.

It is horrible, I hope you get it sorted. If you feel you can't go at all at any point, go to A+E.

Hiddenhome suggested the same down thread so I did google but there seems to be quite a lot of pain associated with that which I don't have.

I sometimes get the cystitis like discomfort and urgency even on an empty bladder but no actual pain.

I think there's nothing more for it than a trip to the doctor only this time I'll march in saying "now listen here, Mumsnet said..."

I remember you posting then Schro, it was about when I developed my prolapses too. I was really worried about you. Glad you've got the catheterising sorted now.

Who I was really worried about it at the time but it's pretty much all okay now, just have to make sure I keep on top of the cathing as I can be quite forgetful! Whenever I see posts about this I tend to post as I remember how anxious I was about it at the time.

I how you got the prolapses fixed?

hi FortyCoats, I have IC and don't have pain like you usually think of pain but do have the constant need to go etc and discomfort. Don't completely discount it but it is unlikely. I guess in IC terms I am lucky... not that it feels that way when you are having a bad day and have been to the toilet 60 times.

Good god, that sounds awful! Is there anything that can be done? That must be so limiting?

I did a little more googling and I'd be pretty sure that's not my issue, hope not anyway.