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Bladder and bowel issues

16 replies

Richardchamberlainrocks · 02/03/2024 23:40

I’m 54 and for the last few weeks my bowel habits have changed. I’ve gone from finding it hard to go at all to going 2-3 times a day. There is no blood present. I had this problem last year and did a poo test which came back as normal. Now it’s back and is worse. I also now have a feeling of pressure in my bladder and I need to wee a lot. It gets worse in the evening and I’m fed up with all the trips to the loo. Needless to say I’ve googled my symptoms and it could be a whole host of things. Can anyone tell me if they experienced this. I’m worrying it’s a prolapse. Thank you.

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margegunderson · 02/03/2024 23:42

Peri or menopause?

Richardchamberlainrocks · 02/03/2024 23:45

I had my last period over one year ago.

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justasking111 · 02/03/2024 23:49

Post menopause I've got both. Diet had to change. I'm intolerant to a lot of foods now which upset my stomach and some drinks irritate my bladder.

Richardchamberlainrocks · 02/03/2024 23:53

That’s interesting. What foods and drink seemed to make it worse? The only change I’ve made is switching to herbal and caffeine free tea which hasn’t made any difference. I tried cutting out lactose but that didn’t help either. I drink very little coffee and only alcohol at the weekend (wine).

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pippapipps · 03/03/2024 00:24

@ omg op I could of wrote your post!!!
I've been feeling exactly as you describe since Wednesday it's awful, I have been getting these flare ups for over a year and it usually lasts a good few days, I would describe my belly at the moment as a dull ache that gets worse in the evening and night time it's like the aftermath of being punched in the belly that goes on for days ( not that I've been punched in the belly but it's only way I can describe the dull ache)

I also went to the toilet four times yesterday (bowels!) unheard of for me as I'm usually constipated
My belly is just not right it's so uncomfortable, it's continuous and it's day five of it tomorrow hoping it passes soon
I have diverticula diagnosed on colonoscopy and the doctor has always said she thinks I have IBS too so I don't know if it's that ?
Pressure in belly and needing to wee a lot is actually horrible isn't it, menopause symptoms? I don't know but I'm 55
This is just a ' I'm with you I know how you feel'! Post I don't have any answers but sending you a hug

justasking111 · 03/03/2024 00:35

What I think is helping me with the stomach is taking a nexium in the evening. You could try that for a few days. The urine I'm doing kegals stop start when on the loo that's helped too.

Richardchamberlainrocks · 03/03/2024 10:04

Thanks Pippa. It’s horrible isn’t it. I’m definitely going to make a doctors appointment as I’m worried it could be anything. Google bladder pressure symptoms and there is loads of things it could be. I just want it to go away. Thanks Justasking any suggestions to getting better are most welcome!

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ClaraFiddlesticks · 03/03/2024 10:28

Oestrogen protects against inflammation so we're more likely to suffer from inflammation (ie in the gut or inflammatory diseases) after menopause. Try searching for a low histamine or anti inflammatory diet for the foods you should try and avoid. Some examples to avoid are the nightshade family (tomatoes, potatoes, aubergine), yeast (ie bread), sugar, spinach.

Some foods are actively anti inflammatory, eg blueberries and apples.

I hope it helps!

Richardchamberlainrocks · 03/03/2024 16:46

Yes that does help thank you. I shall most certainly look into that. I definitely eat too much bread and sugary foods. A diet overhaul may well be needed.

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Cuppachuchu · 03/03/2024 16:50

I had your symptoms and giving up shop bought bread, and generally eating more fibre (bran, apples, veg) helped.

Notinthemood12 · 03/03/2024 17:08

Could be any number of things like you said but make sure you get ovaries checked, I have had simple ovarian cysts diagnosed and it’s absolute havoc, symptoms similar to yours

Richardchamberlainrocks · 03/03/2024 20:37

I’ll definitely mention to the doctor about ovaries thank you. I might also try eating more fibre as suggested. Thank you all for your help. I really appreciate it and I feel a little less panicked now.

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justasking111 · 03/03/2024 21:14

Tomatoes crucify me. Ditto onions, garlic, broccoli, french baguette, fatty food, chocolate, chillis and other hot spices. Fizzy drinks, the list is longer. It's very boring.

Pinksmyfavoritecolour · 03/03/2024 21:41

Best thing for my diverticulitis is a low residue diet, no salad, no onion, no green leaf veg, no potato skins, no brown bread, pasta or rice, no wheat based cereal or oats, or muesli, no beef or pork or lamb, no peas, sweetcorn, baked beans, no digestives, or oat based biscuits. No berries or citrus fruits, seeds or nuts, no dried fruits, basically anything that's hard to break down.
I now have white bread but no more than two slices a day, eggs, white pasta, white rice, noodles, potatoes, well cooked carrot swede parsip broccoli cauliflower, chicken or turkey, shortbread, custard creams, wafer biscuits, banana, cooked apple not raw, plums but peeled not the skin, yogurts, mousses, custard, Rice Krispies, It's very limiting, especially when out, but it's the only thing that works for me in keeping flare ups at bay.

Richardchamberlainrocks · 07/03/2024 23:13

Just an update. I’ve seen the doctor who did an internal examination and she said she could feel ‘something’ and that it was best to refer me to the hospital. So I’m now just waiting for my appointment letter and have booked an appointment for blood tests.

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justasking111 · 07/03/2024 23:42

I am glad. You're on the right track now 👍

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