Why is it?

[Lilian226]

When I get breathless after going upstairs or vacuuming etc., I have this urgency to go to the toilet and usually just make it. What causes this? I have my 3 month PR thingy next week and have to do the shuttle walk and I don't think the toilet is very close by. Anyone else have the same thing? Lilian xxxxx

[jabber]

I do sympathise. I have exactly the same problem. I don't know how accurate this is but a medical friend (a radiographer) once told me that it's because your heart is working so hard - everything else is also working hard, so the bladder might be filling up faster than usual. Perhaps she was just being reassuring but it seems logical.

When you have to do your walk make sure you go to the loo just beforehand and I'm sure you'll be fine. You could also wear extra strength panty liners as an extra precaution against the odd leak. I find them quite a comfort if I'm not sure how far apart toilets are going to be.

[Lilian226 in reply to jabber]

Thank you jabber, reassuring to hear of some one else with the same problem. The heart thing does make sense. I think I will use extra precaution as you advise. I hope you are well. Lilian xxxxxxx

[Smilinghearts in reply to Lilian226]

Omgoodness, I so empathize and this post should comfort you. Before my lungs got "very bad" to me, I had a few issues. 1, I have suffered from bedwetting my entire life with 1 exception.. When I wound up suffering from insomnia... I always fell asleep when my head hit the pillow and slept hard. When I was 13, my baby sister was 4 we shared a bedroom and bed. Lots of snow on the ground a mustang spun, hit our house and his bumper was literally on our bed and moved our bed, my sister ran to daddy lol he came in the room and said... Shorty! wake up! I was sound asleep.. Said all of that so can understand I simply would not wake. First dry night besides 1 night when given a script that caused excruciating pain if you started to tinkle... mom said, never will take that again. Had to be change of life because all the sudden not only did I not sleep sound, I barely slept at all. I still rely on sleep aid. I say had to be the change of life was, I had no way to know, had a radical hysterectomy in 86 so I loved no more monthly but also was so unnerving not knowing what was happening. Well, once had sleep aid, could sleep again which be it copd or well we all must have recoup sleep, so... Bedwetting came back its humiliating even if I was the only one who knew now to ad insult to injury, I have urgency all the time which I never had... What was mentioned about everything working harder makes complete sense to me. Its so immediate, don't have to go to urgent, sometimes I don't make it. Couple times my anxiety kicked in so bad that Asthma attack started so no breathe and I just cried as I wet myself. I try to plan but now I realize if having to go potty is such a stressed that it sends me into an anxiety attack thus taking my breathing abilities away to the point of passing out?? No, sadly I will wet myself. Clothes can be laundered, people die from off the chain asthma for me brought on by anxiety. Sorry so long. When I can afford I am going to get the things like pull ups, just can't afford yet. Closing, lol 57 come April and I may have had 1 month that I have not dealt with it. I have no clue what it feels like not to happen. I pray no one ever has to. But to breathe or make it to potty is a no brainer to me I am to afraid when can't breathe. Have a blessed day!

[Lilian226 in reply to Smilinghearts]

What a very difficult time you have had Smilinghearts and still having, make my problem seem very minor. You are very young to have to cope with all that. I wish you well. Lilian xxxxxx

[Inamoment]

I do that, exactly the same. I go for a wee before hoovering, so it is just a spoonful but I can't stop it. It's one of the things I don't like about the 6mwt.

[Lilian226 in reply to Inamoment]

My problem has only just started so it didn't happen during previous 6mwt, and it's not just a spoonful! I did wonder if I might have a slight infection there. Thank you for your reply inamoment. Lilian xxxxxx

[knitter]

Anxiety can make me want to rush to the bathroom, so maybe being breathless causes a bit of anxiety. My muscles are weaker too....I know I should do my pelvic floor exercises more often. Tena lady are a godsend .

[Lilian226 in reply to knitter]

Yes, Knitter, I'm going to get some Tener lady. Isn't that odd about anxiety, it's all very complex isn't it. I had a thought that because my lungs have stretched the sob causes then to stretch more and press on the bladder. I haven't a clue really. Lilian xxxxxx

[PollyP]

Stressing the body i.e. Trying to breath on exertion will activate the adrenal glands (which sit on top of the kidneys ) putting out more adrenaline and starts a natural physical reaction to void urine.

Flight or fight response 😊

Do wear some Tena pads, once you are on the PR course it is likely your body will help with that type of bodily response.

Drink plenty of water to help dilute your urine too.

Check your pelvic floor as well....there are exercises to strengthen that.

Good luck- PR is the was forward.

Pp

[Lilian226 in reply to PollyP]

Thank you Pp, it's all very complicated. My knowledge of the human body is not good. I've been lucky with my health until last year when the copd set in with a vengeance, much better now. What I now know I've learned from this forum. I still don't understand a lot of the long medical words that are used or things like FEV1, in one ear and out of the other, but I do know if I have a question I can just log in to HU and it will be answered. I will try the pelvic floor exercises, I expect there will be some on Utube. Thank you. Lilian xxxxxxx

[hallentine47]

Am I correct that only ladies have replied to this post? As a bloke I have exactly the same problem. Not always but often when trying to do exercise or help with vacuuming and such like I too have a desperate urge to pee. I found that eliminating caffeine from my diet helps but I still experience this problem when trying to walk any distance or do a bit of gardening.

The anxiety bit seems to make sense and working the heart faster makes sense. It helps explain the condition which can be very annoying when dealing with breathlessness and coping with situations at the same time.

[Lilian226]

Nice to hear from you Hallentine. It seems this problem is not a gender related thing. Your symptoms sound very similar to mine. As you say it is annoying, however, dashing to the toilet gives us that extra exercise!!! Lilian xxxxx

[undine]

I have heard that when the body is struggling to get enough oxygen it lets go of control of other functions so that the muscles that usually control urine loosen hence the flow .... .. just what I have heard.

[Two2sheds in reply to undine]

That's exactly what I was told too.👍

[Lilian226]

I've never thought of that Undine, it certainly makes sense. Thank you. Lilian xxxxxx

[Bkin]

This can be a symptom of low blood oxygen levels as undine mentions. If you have a pulse oximeter it might be worth checking that at the time.

[Lilian226]

I will do that Bkin as it's not any better. I had to miss the 3 month PR check up today. I never thought of checking oxygen levels. Thank you. xxxxx

[Bkin in reply to Lilian226]

Pity you missed that appointment Lilian as likely the oxygen levels could be checked and you could have mentioned your situation.

How are you doing now?

[Lilian226]

I regret missing the appointment, it seems to be a bit easier now. The oximeter level drops a little when I get breathless but I feel so lucky not to have had a bad chest infection this year. I hope you have kept infection free Bkin. Happy Christmas. Lilian xxxxxxx