bladder aches

[GaryABul]

Hello all!

New to the forum, 42 years old, male. Thanks for having me!

About eight months ago, and for the first time in my life, I suddenly developed an ache in my bladder area. I had a prostate exam and blood test, as well as a UTI test and all was negative. Within 2-3 weeks the pain went away on its own and I got on with life. We never got to the bottom of what it was.

Then Mid-March this year, the symptoms started again. A dull ache in my bladder, mainly after urination. That was a month ago, I’ve been given antibiotics, eliminated coffee and alcohol from my diet and await further blood tests as well as an appointment with urology. The symptoms persist. No blood in my urine (I can see) no problems with my stream, no pains as I urinate, no back pain and the ache comes and goes randomly. It seems to hurt the least at night when I’m asleep. I don’t think I’m going to the loo much more than I normally would either? Perhaps 10% more?

I’m currently taking Solifenacin 5mg once a day, started a couple of days ago which I think might be helping, but I’m still getting aches. Might be early days though?

My GP thinks it could be some sort of bladder irritation but I have a long wait for an urology appointment. He said he doesn’t think it is anything ‘sinister.’

I thought I’d ask if anyone else has developed these symptoms, what they turned out to be and how you fixed it? Mentally, this has hit me quite hard. I hate not knowing what the issue is.

[Hidden]

You can buy urine dip sticks off Amazon. I use Siemens which are relatively expensive but very good. It'll give a guide to possible infection, (Leukocytes, Nitrites), blood, pH, Protein etc.

If it is infection based, Hiprex or Hyacyst instillations provide an effective barrier to bugs, better than long term anti-biotic IMO.

Do you hang on when you should really empty your bladder (a mistake I made repeatedly commuting to work and for which I've paid the price ever since!).

Has anybody mentioned interstitial cystitis?

Finally, get a private consultation if NHS lead times are too long! I hate to have to recommend that but it's your health and the cost is no more than servicing a car!!

[GaryABul in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply. In the past I have had to hold it, as I travel to and from work on the bus and the commute is about an hour

IS has not been mentioned yet- but I’ve heard of it whilst looking up symptoms.

I’ll look at getting some dip tests- but I did have a urine test at the doctors the other week.

[Hidden in reply to GaryABul]

Another thought occurs to me, are you sure it's the bladder and not referred pain (from elsewhere)?

[GaryABul in reply to Hidden]

pretty sure it’s bladder!

[Jhshl512]

Just a thought. I am an old pro at interstitial cystitis. I was diagnosed over 30 years ago with your exact symptoms. The bladder ache can be unbearable. Motrin and Tylenol help somewhat. If you would like more info from me let me know.

[GaryABul in reply to Jhshl512]

It’d be great to know how to keep on top of it! I suspect it might be something to do with artificial sweeteners as I drink quite a lot of diet soft drinks.

[Hidden in reply to GaryABul]

You eliminated caffeine and alcohol but not soft drinks? The next step is obvious, replace with 2 litres of water a day.

[GaryABul in reply to Hidden]

I’m doing just that! Thanks for the advice. Appreciated.

[Jhshl512 in reply to GaryABul]

If it is interstitial cystitis, the only way to diagnose is by a scope of your bladder. Not fun.

I was then set up to install a liquid drug called DMSO. It is given directly into the bladder by a catheter. I have been getting these installations every 8 to 10 weeks for over thirty years. They do help tremendously. Google the diet for IC patients. What you eat does affect your bladder. Also, if you can order a drug called UQORA, that also helps. Check out their website. Good luck. I now lead a normal life with all these suggestions. If I can be any more help, let me know. Most importantly stay away from anything that contains acid. Only fruit I can eat are pears and blueberries. Also stay away from yogurt.

The best

Lori

[GaryABul in reply to Jhshl512]

Many thanks for sharing your story, Lori. Good to hear you have a normal life now. Gives me hope. I’ll definitely look up the IC diet.

[Hidden in reply to GaryABul]

I had years of this problem until I identified diet soft drinks and mixers as the problem. I don’t touch them now and that particular problem has disappeared.

[GaryABul in reply to Hidden]

How long did it take to disappear after you cut out the soft drinks?

[Hidden in reply to GaryABul]

Very quickly. A couple of weeks or less. I l was drinking low cal lemonade, Pepsi etc without giving a thought to the fact that they were sweetened with artificial sweeteners. Read about it in a magazine.

There are artificial sweeteners in lots of things but drinks are loaded.

Comes to something when the sweetener in the slimline tonic is doing you more damage than the gin 😉

[Let-it-be]

I also get aches in my pelvic floor area. These seem to be worse after urinating too and are sometimes accompanied by other sensations/muscles movements around the bladder which aren't pleasant. Sometimes going to the toilet doesn't affect the feeling. I have also been going more frequently, although when I'm at home I can now usually last three hours so I think there's an anxiety element to it. Urologist has confirmed no infection, prostate ok and bladder emptying ok. He's prescribed tolterdine which I think I will start tomorrow. This is supposed to relax the muscles in the bladder walls so it can hold more urine. Perhaps I'm tensing, when I shouldn't be. I'm not entirely sure it's the answer and have also started seeing someone about the anxiety.

Not sure if any of this is helpful, but I've just found the forum and have also found it hit me quite hard mentally so wanted to reply. I know a positive outlook helps...easier said than done though!

The only advice I can really offer is to go private if you have the option...and to explain the symptoms in full (the urologist I saw was good but he did rush through it a bit!).

Oh, and I found warm baths provided a bit of respite!

[GaryABul in reply to Let-it-be]

Thanks so much for telling your story. That is very reassuring. I still have similar symptoms, though maybe they’re not as strong as they were. Seems worse at night, unfortunately, I can’t afford to go private. I’m going to hacks to wait up to 19 weeks to see a urologist!