Irritable bladder syndrome

[Peterbear]

Just had a diagnosis of this. Just wondering if anyone had any experience. Been put on meds to help not sure how long for. Does pelvic floor exercises help. Googled obs but going down rabbit holes. Wish I'd gone to GP about this years ago now. Just thought it was 'weak bladder'. Any experiences gratefully received. X

Anyone??x

Me! I'm on 5mg of oxybutinin a day and it's life changing. Been on it for around 12 years now. I don't have to panic if I'm not near a toilet, I don't have to run a soon as I feel the urge. No more pads. Quiting caffeine makes it work even better. Pelvic floor exercises didn't work here, as it's not a muscle issue, your bladder just doesn't fill or expel in the same way. I'm happily on these pills for life.

Thanks for the info. Glad your meds are working! I am on day 2 and only got up twice last night. Happy to take meds forever if they help. Wondering if I'm wasting my time with pelvic floor exercises as does seem as separate issue?

Do them anyway, good to keep those muscles in shape!

Ha yes I will. Just need to accept it's another long term medication to take! A small price to pay though I guess.x

I was on Oxybutinin for about 15 years, but didn't find it worked completely. It helped a BIT. I asked to be referred to a Urologist, and after having the usual scans and urine sample tests, he said I should cut out ALL caffeine-coffee, tea, chocolate (and foods containing them) and Cola (which I've never drunk). The difference, after 3 weeks was astonishing! I only ever have decaffeinated tea and coffee now. If I have ordinary coffee (as happened recently), just 2 cups a day causes me to have horrendous bladder pain.

That's interesting. X thanks

@Peterbear @Mabelface I am experiencing constant trickle accidents these days literally cannot hold it and seem to need to wee at least every hour even if I drink nothing ! I had the blood test to check it wasn’t ovarian cancer ans had dragging pain around the back and gynae suggested vagifem as I’m menopausal and on hrt I’m 53. I have to admit I haven’t tried this enough - mainly drink herbal tea so doubt it’s caffeine
im fed up with having to wear liners daily and to going 2 times in the night and pretty much every hour so wondering if this drug might help me ? I literally feel like my bit open up when i get the urge (tmi- sorry )
my pelvic floor is apparently ok but i cannot stop the trickle when it starts ! I’d understand it if I was 80

It's worth a try, but I think your gynae needs to investigate this further. It's not normal for you to have to suffer this all the time.

I am prescribed Solifenacin for irritable bladder which had me going for a pee every 30 minutes from 4:30am. Works very well but reading this thread I do wonder if there may be a niggling infection which didn't show up on the dip test the GP did. Peeing isn't uncomfortable but my bladder is strained and irritated at night and now sometimes during the day.

A referral to a urogynaecologist for urodynamic testing will help assess whether the problem is bladder, pelvic floor or both.