Isidore wrote:
#1: I think I have some degree of bladder urge and excessive frequency. I can only for sure hold my bladder for about 45 - 60 mins before I get an urge to go which is sometimes very strong and hard to ignore. That said, there are times when I get make it as much as 5 hours....
You didn't mention your diet. Over time, I discovered that what you drink has a large bearing on what you can "hold". For example, I was horrified at the prospect of going for an ultrasound at one point, where I was expected to drink lots of water and "hold it". I was very surprised that I was actually able to get through the appointment. But drink other things like juices/coffee/tea, and I could not hold it.
Isidore wrote:
#2: I also struggle with some degree of bowel urgency. Sometimes, with just a few minutes notice (after eating breakfast, for example), I really need to get to a bathroom fast. I struggle with IBS symptoms...
I don't know if this applies to you, but I learned from experience, that my IBS-d (diarrhea) was directly related to coffee (black). It is like my body has said that I've had my lifetime quota of coffee consumption. It has been difficult and disheartening, but quitting coffee has made my IBS-d considerably more manageable, though I still have issues.