Any Overactive Bladder sufferers out there?

[buggerthebotox]

I've had OAB since I had dd, 15 years ago. I am prescribed Regurin, which helps a bit but I don't always take them.

Yesterday I went to the Doc for a new prescription and she suggested I should "train" my bladder instead. I'm happy to give this a try.

Is there anyone out there who has this pesky condition who has successfully retrained their bladder?

My main problem was the ‘embarrassing’ aspect and still is to a certain extent. Other people seem to be able to have the attitude “So what?” but it used to make me cringe with embarrassment to have to get up and leave the room in lectures, business meetings, theatre or cinema visits etc. These days I’m at the age where I don’t care so much, but the ‘impossible’ scenario I can’t do anything about, so there are certain th8ngs I just won’t do. No access to a loo for 2 hours? Sorry, but I won’t be coming on this one.

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B013EHOMTK/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8

I recommend reading this - I'd been struggling for ages, restricting my (minimal) social life because of it. But having read this and started following the ideas I'm doing really well. I've managed to knock the stress side of it down a lot so I'm not panicking about needing to go. It only took me a couple of weeks to see improvements too. I know it seems odd that a book could do that but it worked for me.

I've always had a weak bladder especially when laughing but it worsened considerably when I was put on the anti depressant Venlafaxine 300mg a day,

Venlafaxine has the side effect of relaxing the muscles so it has affected my bladder (which is a muscle) & my eyesight. I have to take it as I have Recurrent Depressive disorder & it's saved my life.

So my gp prescribed Oxybutynin for my bladder. I take 5mg at 6am & 5mg at 6pm & haven't wet since.
But you have to be strict with taking it.

Btw I haven't given birth so my problems aren't due to that.

I had this too and I think I had a combo of IC (painful bladder syndrome) and OAB. It's more manageable now but I still panic over certain situations like traffic jams and going to the cinema (I don't) or concerts etc where people may have to stand up to let me out for the loo.

This is what has helped me..

drinking only boiled water or bottled still mineral water or some herbal teas (no booze, fruit juices, anything fizzy, no tea or coffee- even without caffeine tea has tannin in it.)

No onions or garlic or spices (so no curry or chilli)

No acidic fruit

Very little chocolate (contains caffeine)

Reduce sugar overall in diet- aim for no more than 2 teaspoons a day

Try to hold on to allow the bladder to fill and expand, when at home.

Drink at least 1.5 - 2ltrs a day (about 6 large mugs) because strong urine irritates the bladder more.

Mine is brought on more by anxiety such as long car trips where there may be jams, or few services.

I carry a portable 'potty' which is a plastic bag with a funnel, though it's very hard to use as a woman, sitting down ('Ive practised.)

I hope some of this may help others.

SilveryLinings, have you tried the She-Wee?

Announcement on BA long haul flights guaranteed to strike fear into all OAB sufferers: “We are just making our final descent to our destination so the toilets will be locked in 15 minutes until after we have reached the terminal building.” 😲

I have a She-Wee too which I carry but I can't see how it's an easy than the other device because you still need to stand to sit right forward on the edge of a seat and point it into a receptacle of some sort. I doubt I could use either if stuck in Lane 3 of the M25 which lorry drivers looking down :)
Any ideas?

Allessandro I am sure you can get a note from your Dr saying you have a medical condition which means you can use the loos.

I haven't tried the SheWee for those same reasons , but I wondered if it might have worked for you.

Silvery - it’s never come to that, but just the knowledge that they will be locked sets me on edge. Just hope that our landing and taxiing to the terminal building isn’t delayed. It hasn’t happened yet...