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Original poster

never feel like bladder is empty ...

47 replies

FortyCoats · 09/07/2015 16:37

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 Shock

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!

OP posts:
nmg85 · 10/07/2015 15:37

It is very limiting but at the moment I am doing pretty well thanks to finding a decent treatment plan for the 1st time since diagnosis just over 3 years ago. When I have bad days especially those where I have weeks with no relief then it is hard to see through the fog but at the moment I am ok and cherishing the time I have a small amount of normality. Have you been to the GP and asked for a referral to urologist? It could be a number of things as mentioned previously.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 10/07/2015 15:55

Schro, yes thanks, I had surgery for the rectocele and am managing the cystocele by lifestyle and exercise, so all is ok here, but I do have to be careful with heavy lifting etc.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 10/07/2015 16:08

You say nothing is protruding, it have you had a a furtle around inside?

Original poster
FortyCoats · 10/07/2015 16:48

No haven't been to doctor yet but have made appt for next week. I don't even know what to say to you. I can't imagine living weeks at a time like that. You seem a very positive, bright-side person, I really admire that. Hope the freedom lasts longer for you this time x

Tmi coming - sorry...

I have felt about to see if there were any obvious changes but didn't notice much however now my mind is drawn to it again - my tampons are not staying put for as long as they used to. I could be only an hour in and I'll feel it starting to protrude. I then think flow must be really bad so change it only to find it wasn't used fully so it was coming out not with weight from full absorbency but because my body was pushing it out. Does that make sense?

OP posts:
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 10/07/2015 21:04

Sit on a toilet or stand up and have a feel about and see if the top wall of your vagina (sorry for being so graphic) feels like it's swollen or kind of bubble like. That's really hard to explain! If it is it will be easier to feel when your bladder is fuller and if you are standing up.

WhoKnows I am so glad to hear that you had the surgery, I hope it was as smooth as possible for you. I am avoiding dilatation, I don't want the risk and have got so used to using catheters now that it just seems almost normal. I think they probably think I'm mad! On the plus side I've been given a radar key so now I can't be moaned at for needing to use disabled loos (cleaner).

Original poster
FortyCoats · 10/07/2015 21:23

Okay, I've 'investigated' before and after weeing...

Before - My cervix is really low, like not far from being at the vaginal opening. It's also hard (I'm due my period in a day or two and from what I remember when ttc, time of the month affects cervix). The front wall (anterior) felt 'puffy' Confused and when I pressed it, it made me wee Blush Space wise, all inside, it felt full, swollen. Like the puffy tissue around a black eye might feel.

After - only the front wall felt different, like it shrunk back a bit. I assume because bladder emptied.

I wonder if I have a prolapse womb? Might explain the change in my period over the last few months. I'll just have to wait to see the doctor I suppose.

Thanks by the way for all your replies, much appreciated :)

OP posts:
ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 10/07/2015 21:43

The squishy bit was probably your bladder prolapsing. Your cervix will be lower around your period, but that lowness, combined with tampons falling out suggests a degree of cervical prolapse also.

If you got a bit of spare cash buy yourself the Hab-It DVD - it has pelvic floor workouts increasing in intensity - kegels are not enough, there are other things you need to do to. The Hab-It website is also worth a rummage.

Good luck with the doctor, and tell them what you felt - if they do an account internal exam with you on your back your organs will fall much more into their proper place through gravity.

Original poster
FortyCoats · 10/07/2015 22:09

Thanks ItsAllGoingToBeFine :)

I'll definitely have a look at that website and be sure to explain all to the GP.

OP posts:
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 10/07/2015 22:20

Have a google of cystoceles. I hope you manage to get it sorted.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 10/07/2015 23:02

Thanks Schro, yes, it all went very well, the repair isn't perfect, as in things are very lumpy and bumpy in there, but I am symptom free which is the main thing and the recovery was straightforward.

Forty - before I had my surgery (which was for rectocele, when the rectum prolapses into the back wall of the vagina, but I also have a systole, which is the bladder into the front wall) I had the same with tampons not staying put, if I could even get them in straight in the first place, they would get lost in the folds in the vaginal walls and double back on themselves.

The HAb-it DVD is excellent.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 10/07/2015 23:03

Sorry, not a systole (bloody auto correct) a cystocele.

Original poster
FortyCoats · 10/07/2015 23:19

I have that!!! That bulge in the back wall close to the vaginal opening but I've had it for a couple of years now. I wondered (and worried) for ages what it was but then put it down to aging, gravity, being overweight. I've had problems with bowel movements, not feeling 'empty'. Thought I lost muscle tone in my rectum and that it was just normal as we got older. I just googled and that is definitely what it is, I'm sure of it and it says the two (front and back prolapse) normally come together.

OP posts:
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 10/07/2015 23:23

I have the back wall bulge too, quite often I need to (TMI) push poo out from by pressing the bulge in my vagina as it seems to get stuck...

WhoKnows Glad to hear you are now symptom free!

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 10/07/2015 23:24

Have you by any chance had a baby delivered by forceps? I'm pretty sure that's what did it for me, and it seems very common as a cause. There is a FB group for women with prolapses and I have seen it discussed on there as well as other threads on here.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 10/07/2015 23:25

I used to have to do that too Schro, the poo would get stuck in the bulge (TMI!)

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 10/07/2015 23:26

WhoKnows Good link there, I also had forceps and a very deep episiotomy.

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 10/07/2015 23:27

Apparently I don't have a cystocele or rectocele though! It's rubbish, it's just they always examine me lying down and it seems to vanish then!

Original poster
FortyCoats · 10/07/2015 23:27

I've had to do that too but was embarrassed to say. Don't feel so bad now.

And yes, my apologies who, I got wrapped up in my discovery, I didn't take time to acknowledge your success story. That's brilliant. I'd say the relief and freedom of being symptom free is just fantastic Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
FortyCoats · 10/07/2015 23:34

Didn't have forceps delivery but very nasty episiotomy. Probably would've been better had I torn naturally.

Schro, I was wondering about that since it was mention earlier - a bit awkward perhaps but couldn't an examination be done whilst sitting on a labouring chair or standing with one leg up? I was thinking of asking my gp to examine me that way.

OP posts:
WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 10/07/2015 23:34

Thank you, it is, but it is major surgery with a fairly high risk of failure, I've been lucky with it so far, but I'm in my 40s and want it to last the rest of my life, there is a good chance it won't unfortunately.

Off to bed now, night all.

Original poster
FortyCoats · 10/07/2015 23:36

Hopefully it will who. I wonder if diet and stool softeners would help to prolong its effectiveness over time by reducing the need to strain?

Nite nite and thanks for all the help Smile

OP posts:
WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 10/07/2015 23:41

Yes, definitely, avoid straining at all costs.

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