OAB developed
Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2013 2:48 am
About 8 months ago I finally went to the doctor (After some pressure from my wife)….and was diagnosed with OAB based on my story, medical exam and a Diary I had to fill in covering a couple of weeks.
I knew something wasn't right, so I can't say it was such a shock - more a relief, that besides the OAB I was in good condition (I really feared suffering from either prostate problems or diabetes)...
Here is how it all started.
I started to visit the bathroom more and more frequent, sometimes the urge just came out of the blue – in the beginning I didn’t pay much attention to it….as I thought it might be due to too much coffee or fluid intake in general. I have always been drinking a lot of coffee during the day with no (at least not in my opinion) excess voiding, that wen't wel for years...….but about a year ago it seemed as my bathroom visits did become more frequent that I liked, and after a while when I became very aware of the frequency (no more than max. a hour between) I started to cut down on the coffee and fluid intake, this solution did help on the frequency, but instead I was getting really bad headaches instead…due to dehydration I believe. So I had to increase my fluid intake again, this time though, without too much coffee - I still drink one or two cups of coffee during the morning - however the increase in fluid intake again resulted in my bladder going ballistic again – the volume each time was not excessive, and I tried to hold it in until it was appropiate to let go, which caused a lot of discomfort to my bladder – sometimes lately, the time between the urges was as low as 15-20 minutes inbetween.
There began to be a couple of minor leaks not every day, but frequent enough, so I started to treat by using a bit of toilet paper in my trousers – the leaks I did experience was only if I didn’t listen to my bladder and tried to hold it in for excess time, until I could reach the bathroom, usually even if I leaked it was only minor...it just released some of the pressure on my bladder but still annoying..I managed to keep it as a secret to everyone, even my wife since I was embarrassed of the situation – we had a son who’s four years old and just skipped his diapers at night too, and here I was, he’s father leaking urine like a small child.
However My wife found out of the paper in my trousers and the occasional wet spots, and suggested at first, that I used some of her inserts, which didn’t do much, but was better than paper anyway.
At first I resisted the need for something...and came up with numerous excuses...but she persisted that I should seek medical assistence.
My wife thought my situation was due to an UTI (Bladder infection) and said I should go to the doctor….I was reluctant to do that, since I was, and still are, embarrassed of the situation plus I didn't experience the symptoms of UTI....in which my wife described due to her experience with having to deal with UTI, however I couldn't relate to it, since I didn't feel any of the symptoms she described..
However after a while were things didn’t improve, I finally visited the doctor….which after a throughout examination of me for UTI, diabetes, prostate problems, and based on a two week diary concluded that I have OAB, he couldn’t say any reason, as my general health was fine, maybe a bit overweight but not much.
He suggested Kegel exercises in the beginning and a change in diet, I've always loved spicy food, and he's belief was my condition was due to my diet, now my health proved to be ok. – I did follow the excercises and change in diet for almost two months, but due to a stressful work I never exercised the Kegels enough…I did however change the diet (Still miss chilli), the urge persisted and even became more incriminating…then he suggested medication in order to expand the time between the urges , I never reacted too well on medication beforehand, neither painkillers and other medications, but I had to give it try.
The medications made me tired, dizzy, and I experienced that they affected my concentration also due to dizziness and nausea…so due to my work, I need to be on top as I'm supposed to be on top each day. I could't afford these complications from the medication although the medication did help a bit I was forced to quit…otherwise I was in fear of loosing my job.
Then I was suggested to visit an urological specialist - well actually my DR suggested that, when he could't find a mediacal reason for my problems - but back then I did have enough belief in him, that the things he suggested, would work out...however when my DR. started to describe the test I most likely would undergo - I hesitated, and ended up refusing to do so, also since my general health was ok, and I was getting sick and tired of the feeling of being a Guinea-pig. So I ended it all by saying that I didn’t want to participate any longer, I already got the diagnose OAB with no known cause, my health condition was ok etc. I dropped out, and since I already have learned to deal with my OAB before the diagnose. I could continue do so…but on my own terms.
After stopping medication the urges became more frequent again, and also stronger as time progressed (during the last two months) so here I am….using protection – but I learned to deal with it - the accidents I experience varies...sometimes / days there's none or only minor, and other days my bladder goes ballistic.
You might say I have chosen my situation myself to wear protection….which I can reply, no I didn’t! I just had to adapt to the situation and have learned to live with it - I still have a lot to learn, but I refuse to go through the medical system like an interesting example i.e. guinea-pig….I live in Denmark and the system here is quite rigid so is the numerous examinations.
Have anyone else who is diagnosed with OAB, experienced their OAB evolve from not only having minor / rare accidents to experience more frequent leaks and accidents. i.e. urge incontinence? I just need to know what to expect in the future…and if you found a "natural" way of keeping things at bay, I'd like to know.
I knew something wasn't right, so I can't say it was such a shock - more a relief, that besides the OAB I was in good condition (I really feared suffering from either prostate problems or diabetes)...
Here is how it all started.
I started to visit the bathroom more and more frequent, sometimes the urge just came out of the blue – in the beginning I didn’t pay much attention to it….as I thought it might be due to too much coffee or fluid intake in general. I have always been drinking a lot of coffee during the day with no (at least not in my opinion) excess voiding, that wen't wel for years...….but about a year ago it seemed as my bathroom visits did become more frequent that I liked, and after a while when I became very aware of the frequency (no more than max. a hour between) I started to cut down on the coffee and fluid intake, this solution did help on the frequency, but instead I was getting really bad headaches instead…due to dehydration I believe. So I had to increase my fluid intake again, this time though, without too much coffee - I still drink one or two cups of coffee during the morning - however the increase in fluid intake again resulted in my bladder going ballistic again – the volume each time was not excessive, and I tried to hold it in until it was appropiate to let go, which caused a lot of discomfort to my bladder – sometimes lately, the time between the urges was as low as 15-20 minutes inbetween.
There began to be a couple of minor leaks not every day, but frequent enough, so I started to treat by using a bit of toilet paper in my trousers – the leaks I did experience was only if I didn’t listen to my bladder and tried to hold it in for excess time, until I could reach the bathroom, usually even if I leaked it was only minor...it just released some of the pressure on my bladder but still annoying..I managed to keep it as a secret to everyone, even my wife since I was embarrassed of the situation – we had a son who’s four years old and just skipped his diapers at night too, and here I was, he’s father leaking urine like a small child.
However My wife found out of the paper in my trousers and the occasional wet spots, and suggested at first, that I used some of her inserts, which didn’t do much, but was better than paper anyway.
At first I resisted the need for something...and came up with numerous excuses...but she persisted that I should seek medical assistence.
My wife thought my situation was due to an UTI (Bladder infection) and said I should go to the doctor….I was reluctant to do that, since I was, and still are, embarrassed of the situation plus I didn't experience the symptoms of UTI....in which my wife described due to her experience with having to deal with UTI, however I couldn't relate to it, since I didn't feel any of the symptoms she described..
However after a while were things didn’t improve, I finally visited the doctor….which after a throughout examination of me for UTI, diabetes, prostate problems, and based on a two week diary concluded that I have OAB, he couldn’t say any reason, as my general health was fine, maybe a bit overweight but not much.
He suggested Kegel exercises in the beginning and a change in diet, I've always loved spicy food, and he's belief was my condition was due to my diet, now my health proved to be ok. – I did follow the excercises and change in diet for almost two months, but due to a stressful work I never exercised the Kegels enough…I did however change the diet (Still miss chilli), the urge persisted and even became more incriminating…then he suggested medication in order to expand the time between the urges , I never reacted too well on medication beforehand, neither painkillers and other medications, but I had to give it try.
The medications made me tired, dizzy, and I experienced that they affected my concentration also due to dizziness and nausea…so due to my work, I need to be on top as I'm supposed to be on top each day. I could't afford these complications from the medication although the medication did help a bit I was forced to quit…otherwise I was in fear of loosing my job.
Then I was suggested to visit an urological specialist - well actually my DR suggested that, when he could't find a mediacal reason for my problems - but back then I did have enough belief in him, that the things he suggested, would work out...however when my DR. started to describe the test I most likely would undergo - I hesitated, and ended up refusing to do so, also since my general health was ok, and I was getting sick and tired of the feeling of being a Guinea-pig. So I ended it all by saying that I didn’t want to participate any longer, I already got the diagnose OAB with no known cause, my health condition was ok etc. I dropped out, and since I already have learned to deal with my OAB before the diagnose. I could continue do so…but on my own terms.
After stopping medication the urges became more frequent again, and also stronger as time progressed (during the last two months) so here I am….using protection – but I learned to deal with it - the accidents I experience varies...sometimes / days there's none or only minor, and other days my bladder goes ballistic.
You might say I have chosen my situation myself to wear protection….which I can reply, no I didn’t! I just had to adapt to the situation and have learned to live with it - I still have a lot to learn, but I refuse to go through the medical system like an interesting example i.e. guinea-pig….I live in Denmark and the system here is quite rigid so is the numerous examinations.
Have anyone else who is diagnosed with OAB, experienced their OAB evolve from not only having minor / rare accidents to experience more frequent leaks and accidents. i.e. urge incontinence? I just need to know what to expect in the future…and if you found a "natural" way of keeping things at bay, I'd like to know.
