Overactive Bladder.

[drynot]

Hey folks.

Who here suffers from this affliction? I often experience a sudden and urgent need to urinate with little or no warning. This has caused me to start having daytime accidents. I was so concerned about this that I actually told my doctor about the whole thing (bedwetting, diapers, etc,etc). After a couple of tests, he thought I might have a mild form of Spina Bifida which I personally think is BS. He is a good Doctor, but I don't think I was articulating to him accurately what was happening.

Also, the whole experience intensifies IF I am wearing a diaper at the time. It is as if wetting a diaper is becoming an unconscious act. Please believe me when I say that I have NO desire to become incontinent or wear diapers 24/7. I quite like having the OPTION of wearing a diaper whenever I choose, not have that decision taken from me.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had similar symptoms and what coping mechanisms (drugs,techniques)are you using to deal with the issue? I've started to restrict my fluid intake a bit, but that really isn't healthy IMO.

[mogumbo]

It could be spina bifida (a condition I was born with). Mine wasn't even diagnosed until I was almost 14 (the advent of the CAT scan) and the primary symptom was incontinence. Don't rule it out until a doctor does.

You can get drugs for it but they come with all kinds of potential side effects such as dry mouth (which doesn't sound so bad until you walk around all day feeling like the Sahara Desert has set up camp in yer oral cavity). Detrol is one of them.

If it is SB, the symptoms you decscribe may get worse and trigger other issues such as urinary reflux, kidney stones and UTIs, none of them pleasant.

I share your healthy skepticism of the medical profession and especially distrust urologists. Good luck.

Mo

[bobbyc]

Hi, I also think I have some form of (undiagnosed) overactive bladder. I don't really know what OAB is but I do know that when I have caffeine I will have a very, sudden urge to urinate but when I do finally urinate very little comes out, definitely not a bladder-full. Although I enjoy wearing diapers, they definitely become a crutch when I decide I want to be out walking around the city after having a cup of coffee. I have gone without wearing a diaper on these occasions and I usually end up running around trying to find a bathroom every 30 minutes. Not a lot of fun. I'm glad I at least have diapers to make me more comfortable.

[Dill_Pickle]

Hey folks.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had similar symptoms and what coping mechanisms (drugs,techniques)are you using to deal with the issue? I've started to restrict my fluid intake a bit, but that really isn't healthy IMO.

When I stop wearing diapers after using them for awhile, I do find myself with sudden urges.

I've seen it written many times *not* to restrict fluid intake. I think I'd model the situation by saying that your bladder suddenly got irritated for some reason....possibly a UTI, possibly just cause it's not used to that much pressure anymore...in which case you want to retrain your bladder a bit.

Things to reduce the irritation:

Cranberry juice, full strength (also helps with UTIs)

Plenty of fluids

Phenazopyridine (over the counter, turns pee orange, often sold as "uri-stat", look in the feminine products section of the store)

Things to reduce the sensitivity over the long term:

When you feel that sudden urge, hold on....let it go away, then go pee...

Other sorts of stretching exercises to help you expand the bladder...like waiting fifteen minutes or so after you feel the need to pee to go...

Good luck....

[Frink]

Ahhh... cranberry juice, how would I ever get hired without it?

[drynot]

Well now, that is interesting mogumbo. I was told that there were various levels of spina bifida but I never really believed it. I've wet the bed all of my life and now this could possibly be an escalation of spina bifida symptoms ie: getting worse.

Besides the obvious effect on my well being, there is a significant financial obligation that also comes into play here. Does one shell out precious coin for drugs each month, which can be quite expensive, or diapers. Each option has pros and cons. As a DL it would be an easy choice to stick with what I know and wear a diaper all the time. However, as an active outdoorsy type, bladder control during the day aided by drug use would be most beneficial.

Does the use of these drugs have a compounding effect? What I mean is: would I need to take them all the time to achieve control? Could I go on and off them at my leisure? Those days that I know I will be out and beyond in the bush could be my drug days. Those days that I know I will be sticking around the house can be my diaper days, if you catch my meaning. How long would it take for the drugs to work?

[dlinco]

I don’t know if this has any relevance, I think I have an over active bladder. I often find myself needing to pee every 45 min to an hour. I wet the bed about once every year( ands its always when I don’t have my diaper on….) I was thinking about asking a doctor about my problem; however, I don’t know if its all that big of a deal.

[nappyloon]

Hi Drynot,brilliant name.

In answer to your question I also have an over-active bladder with exactly the same symptoms as yourself and have just about given up and resigned myself to Nappies 24/7

I have always been interested in Nappies and associated items but never really considered that I was a DL as these thoughts only occured every few years and were quickly dismissed.

Finding this site is wonderful as I now know I am not alone but amongst very many others.

I have done all the drugs (properly prescribed of course!) without any good results other than one (can't remember the name of it!) that made me lose the plot utterly with both ends doing there own thing (bad enough having trouble with front end, but both=Yuk

Nothing left now other than to get on with it and this site has helped me accept my condition and made me realise that by "embracing" this problem and becoming a DL it will make it very much easier to deal with

Bedwetting is the order of the night and if I do not drink a fair amount at night I will be up to NOT make it to the toilet about a dozen times every night, whereas if I do drink as much as maybe 3/4 litre before bed I will usually sleep right through

Is it the same for you at night?

Best of luck

[nappyloon]

Hi Drynot

Being as we seem to suffer from the same complaint would you mind if I ask you a question, please do not feel obliged to reply.

Firstly let me explain, I have recently started having problems with no2's and sometimes find that I cannot make it to the toilet in time

I am worried that this state of affairs is a progression of my over active bladder and that it will get a lot worse leaving me with no control at all over either function, something I am obviously worrying about

Thanks

[rickibrat2]

Well now, that is interesting mogumbo. I was told that there were various levels of spina bifida but I never really believed it. I've wet the bed all of my life and now this could possibly be an escalation of spina bifida symptoms ie: getting worse.

there aeew many levels of sSB now and they know that many kids with wetting problems may also have a form

the newer forms just do not stand out as much as the early types did

it can be a simple diimple on the spinal cord that need to be checked

drugs suck as a rule over time you need more and more of the drugs to get the same results

and the drugs can ause major depression

rick

[drynot]

Hi Drynot

Being as we seem to suffer from the same complaint would you mind if I ask you a question, please do not feel obliged to reply.

Firstly let me explain, I have recently started having problems with no2's and sometimes find that I cannot make it to the toilet in time

I am worried that this state of affairs is a progression of my over active bladder and that it will get a lot worse leaving me with no control at all over either function, something I am obviously worrying about

Thanks

Hi nappyloon...

I can honestly say that I've only had messy accidents if I have a bout of stomach flu. If this is happening to you on a regular basis I would suggest you head to your doctor and get a full work up to rule out any major illness. Incontinence in either form is not normal and the use of diapers to control it is merely a coping mechanism. That said, I feel for you man. Messing yourself uncontrolably cannot be any fun.

As for my bedwetting I cannot make it through the night without getting up once or twice to go to the bathroom. By the time I make it to the toilet I already have a damp diaper. If I restrict fluid intake about 4 hours before bedtime I can get away with not wetting as much, but I still need to get up occasionally to use the toilet.

I can usually manage my daytime incidents with dilligence about the condition of my bladder at any gven time. If I wait for more than a couple of hours to use the toilet then the urge to urinate will come on quickly and strongly. There is a very short window of opportunity to use the toilet when I realise I need to pee and when I HAVE to pee. If I nip in to the facilities every hour or so to have take a quick leak, I can reduce the frequency of my accidents to almost nil. I will rarely wear a full on diaper during the day. I rely on pull ups to help manage that issue. It is a lot easier to get out of one of those rather than a diaper

there aeew many levels of sSB now and they know that many kids with wetting problems may also have a form

the newer forms just do not stand out as much as the early types did

it can be a simple diimple on the spinal cord that need to be checked

drugs suck as a rule over time you need more and more of the drugs to get the same results

and the drugs can ause major depression

rick

Hi rick.

I haven't had a followup with my doctor about the possibility of me having a mild form of spina bifida. It was really only a loose theory he had to try and explain my wetting accidents. Heck, I haven't been back to the doctor for a while now. It is kind of a major deal for me to even consider going to a doc for any problem, let alone one so personal such as this. I guess in this way I am typically male

[nappyloon]

Hi Drynot

thanks for your reply, I shall soon be heading off to the docs for an appointment as a regular check up that happens every year, so will mention yuk problem, however fortunately it does not happen too often at present, and after having a few "Accidents" I think it needs further investigation.

I am heartened to hear that you are not suffering the same fate as me!.

Daytime wetting I find cannot be avoided at all now as just something simple like a person running a tap can set me off (sensitive bladder=sensitive brain "um" I wonder?)

Going to the toilet at regular intervals is not much good either as I will often try to have a wee before going out (usually without success ) only to find that I step out of the front door and end up with a wet nappy (phscycological ?) same at bedtime, will try to wee to no avail, then go to bed and within minutes=wet nappy again

If I am having a good day (becoming rarer as the days go by!) then I can perform almost as a normal person except that common sense dictates that I must wear a nappy, and this nappy will usually be dry even at the end of the day="wow"

But I do have problems if I let my guard down so to speak and will often be diving for a loo on very many ocassions throughout the day.

So in other words I do not find that wearing a nappy makes me more prone to wetting incidents than if I am not wearing.

I am sure Freud would have some very plausable reason as to your dilemma as regards wearing and weeing, maybe there is a connection there somewhere.

I now find it easier just to "Pad up" and go and get on with life and to hell with it, lifes too short and I do not intend to let this minor (well it is isn't it! it is not life threatening unless you get an infection and that will happen no matter what if it is going to happen anyway)ailment ruin what valuable time I have left on this marvellous planet with all these nice people.

Please excuse the nappy as opposed to the diaper, I have always known nappies to be just that, nappies.

I hope I have not bored the diaper off you and hope that this clarifies some of your questions

So I wish you luck and hope you have a dry day!

[nappyloon]

Hi Drynot

Just to add a little background information-

The job I am in involves driving for maybe as long as 90 minutes in one go without ANY chance of a stop of any kind, so I have had to resort to protection of some kind for many years now for that just in case moment.

This job involves 110% concentration and as a consequence of that the last thing I need to worry about is whether or not I need the toilet, not only that but I would almost certainly not find a toilet on arrival either.

So I think I am at a severe dissadvantage to start with, or of course the alternative would be to reveal my problem to my employers and that would result in me looking for a new job as they are not even slightly enlightened.

As a famous comedian once said "keep your powder and your pants dry".

Best of luck

Nappyloon

[idl john]

hi, i have a spinal disease, and can do nothing about it, i have had all kinds of test done. my problem started all at one time, my daughter and i walked down the street to check out a house fire on the way home i felt a pop feeling in my back, not a lot of pain with it ethier, by the time i got back to my house i was wet. so yes things can happen to you suddenly. i wish you the best. idl john

[nappyloon]

Well have just given up the unequal struggle today and padded up just to get on with my chores in the garden, just as well, (drynot - Note, the next door neighbour then put the hose on to fill their fishpond - result = wet Nappy within seconds )

But , what the hell, I must just get used to it.

This ailment of an overactive bladder is an absolute B^&&er at times, and if you will excuse me, really pi$$£s me off sometimes, quit litterally

I can remember the specialist asking me whether I had a problem first thing in the morning, when you raise yourself to get out of bed and this results in a very sudden and strong wee, enough to fully awaken anyone with a jolt.

Any one else have that symptom?

All the best

Nappyloon

[Dill_Pickle]

I can remember the specialist asking me whether I had a problem first thing in the morning, when you raise yourself to get out of bed and this results in a very sudden and strong wee, enough to fully awaken anyone with a jolt.

Any one else have that symptom?

All the best

Nappyloon

Well, when I wake up in the morning, the first place I go is the toilet for a wee...because yes, the urge is pretty strong then...I think that is natural...as I'm not incontinent unless I want to be..

[nappyloon]

Hi all of you out there

One of the other problems that I also have with my symptoms is this:-

I may be doing anything like walking , running (in my younger days!) making a meal, just talking or sitting down when I have a strong urge to go wee, if I delay the result will usually be a wet Nappy, but sometimes the feeling of that urge just goes, disappears as quickly as it came on Then I know I am in trouble as at any time after that, sometimes minutes and sometimes over an hour will pass before I start weeing and this will continue for what seems like an eternity until my Nappy is flooded quit litterally

This does not happen often but is quit alarming when it does, and as for for my usual bladder capacity of a gnat, what happens to that It just does not make any sense at all?

I have given up trying to understand my bladder as it clearly does not understand me

Another one of lifes mysteries

Look after yourselves out there

[drynot]

The urge to urinate first thing in the morning is quite strong for me as well. I won't even think of taking my diaper off until I have made it to the toilet. This is even after getting up once or twice at night to pee.

I think that it is a common thing for most people. My wife (who never wets the bed) has to pee first thing every morning. If you think about it, your body needs to store about 8 hours worth of urine every night (unless you're up a few times) and your bladder will be quite full. Its just a natural process.

[nappyloon]

The urge to urinate first thing in the morning is quite strong for me as well. I won't even think of taking my diaper off until I have made it to the toilet. This is even after getting up once or twice at night to pee.

I think that it is a common thing for most people. My wife (who never wets the bed) has to pee first thing every morning. If you think about it, your body needs to store about 8 hours worth of urine every night (unless you're up a few times) and your bladder will be quite full. Its just a natural process.

Hi Drynot

Yes I read your comments and understand what you are saying, I think that I may not have explained the situation thoroughly enough!

First thing in the morning all I have to do is sit up on the bed and I will involuntarily wet myself before I even get to a stand if I have a full bladder wich these days is unusual.

And you are right , in the good old days I would just about have made it to the toilet before I "let go".

Take care

Nappyloon

[drynot]

Hi Nappyloon.

Perhaps you are suffering under an affliction termed 'Stress incontinence'. If the simple act of moving around is causing you to wet, then you might want to take a bit of time to discuss this with your Doc. Or, if you're like me, wear diapers and be done with it

Seriously though...go get checked out and make sure there is nothing wrong down there.

[nappyloon]

Hi Nappyloon.

Perhaps you are suffering under an affliction termed 'Stress incontinence'. If the simple act of moving around is causing you to wet, then you might want to take a bit of time to discuss this with your Doc. Or, if you're like me, wear diapers and be done with it

Seriously though...go get checked out and make sure there is nothing wrong down there.

Hi Drynot

In answer to your question I had all the tests about 20 Humm

hummm years ago and the OAB diagnosis was made then, these tests were also repeated about 3 years ago as my symptoms had slightly changed (due to age) so I have a definitive diagnosis=OAB

But, out with the Nappies and on with life, just as before only now equiped with a back pack and a few spare Nappies etc

Hope this answers your question.

[lil_angel]

I finally got around to reading this post and wanted to share my experiences....

I suffer from OAB mixed with stress Incontinance.

At night I, as a general rule, need to pee 3 or 4 times. I also suffer from a sleeping disorder that if I don't get a full 8 hours of sleep every night, I am extremely tired and find it very difficult to function the next day. For this problem, I take sleeping pills. Even with these pills, I still wake up the 3 to 4 times every night. I have found that by wearing a diaper, when I wake up, I can pee then roll over and go right back to sleep. If I were not to wear a diaper and get up each of these times, it would take hours for me to be able to fall back to sleep.

During the day, for the most part, I can make it to the bathroom whenever I feel the urge to pee commng on. However, here is where the stress incontinance comes into play. I tend to dribble both before and after using the toilet and anytime I cough, sneeze or lift something. For this, I have found that depends adjustable underwear seems to work the best. They allow me to use them as a pull up so I can still use the toilet but they are thick enough that they take care of an accident if I don't make it. They are also very discreat. They are also great for those times because I do not wish to go around in a wet diaper for the rest of the day at work and they make changing quicker, easier, and more discreat.

So, I have found that being diapered, in one form or another, 24/7 works well for me. I use to suffer from wet patches on the front of my pants during the day, now only the diaper has wet spots. I am a firm believer in the old saying, "Better to have a wet diaper than wet pants."

[Incontinent DL]

I have overactive bladder and urge urinary incontinence due to some minor nerve damage. Many mornings I wake up with a dry diaper only to wet it as soon as I sit up to head downstairs to the bathroom. Now I keep a urinal next to my bed so I can roll over and use it when I wake up and need to urinate. During the day, I usually get some warning, but it may be only ten or fifteen seconds before my muscle contractions overcome my ability to hold, so I wind up flooding my diaper anyway. I wear pull-on cloth diapers and plastic pants 24/7 to avoid embarrassment and for the security, confidence and comfort that they give me. I’m able to stay dry much of the time, but need to be diapered all the time because I never know when I’m going to have a major episode. I was too embarrassed to tell my doctor about my incontinence for many years. Finally I did, and went through a battery of tests. I tried Ditropan XL and Detrol LA, but the dry mouth side effect was too much of a problem (it can cause periodontal problems too). The drugs helped, but weren’t 100%, so I still had to wear diapers all the time. It reduced laundry, but that’s about all. I just buy my jeans a couple of inches larger than normal and no one seems to notice my diaper bulge. I’m just glad that since I have to wear diapers, I enjoy wearing them too!

[Eagle0769]

Hi members of Daily Diaper,

Something has happened to me that I haven't done in 57 years. I'm embarrassed, worried and concerned. I can't ask my mother if I had this problem as a child because she had a stroke and her long term memory is gone. I went to my regular Doctor and he is unable to find any problem. I'm in relatively good health. Maybe I’m a little over weight but still working a full time job. I live with my wife but we don't sleep together. So she knows nothing about this. I've checked on line for the explanation of what has been going on with me but was unable to get a real answer. I'm so embarrassed even to say the words. I'm 59 years old and I started wetting the bed at night. I've been an adult baby for many years but I didn't want it this way. There is no one to talk to. So I finally got the guts to ask you all. Can someone tell me, how did this happen and what I should do now that I have a problem?

Jay

[SoCalAB]

You might have a growing prostate condition. I have that and my bladder never empties completely. I am taking Saw Palmetto for it now but I still have an over active bladder and wear diapers full time.

Stay Pampered

SoCalAB

Hey folks.

Who here suffers from this affliction? I often experience a sudden and urgent need to urinate with little or no warning. This has caused me to start having daytime accidents. I was so concerned about this that I actually told my doctor about the whole thing (bedwetting, diapers, etc,etc). After a couple of tests, he thought I might have a mild form of Spina Bifida which I personally think is BS. He is a good Doctor, but I don't think I was articulating to him accurately what was happening.

Also, the whole experience intensifies IF I am wearing a diaper at the time. It is as if wetting a diaper is becoming an unconscious act. Please believe me when I say that I have NO desire to become incontinent or wear diapers 24/7. I quite like having the OPTION of wearing a diaper whenever I choose, not have that decision taken from me.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had similar symptoms and what coping mechanisms (drugs,techniques)are you using to deal with the issue? I've started to restrict my fluid intake a bit, but that really isn't healthy IMO.