Irritable bladder

[Bruton]

I suffer with irritanle bladder. It seems to be worse at night, after ive eaten.. apreciate any thoughts

[JayCeon]

Hi - not sure if that's the same as my "sensitive" bladder, I have to go 10x+ a day (being outside or in a car for a few hours can be hell), about 6x a night. Urologist and nephrologist can't find anything. I try to drink mainly in the mornings, despite sicca in skin, throat, mouth & stomach, (which doesn't get worse by drinking less and my nephrologist said that's OK to do.) A really big improvement came by changing from pure water drinks and anything else diuretic to only drinking soy drink. I proved that with a bladder diary and input / output for 24 hours each. Showed that to uro & nephro, they could just nod and shake their head. They said they could give me meds, but'd prefer me to do it my way. The suggestion had come from an alternative health practitioner, after hearing I have water "intolerant" dry skin and food intolerant stomach/gut... (I get 1l / 2pints of my liquid via raw veg and soy & dairy yoghurt, which I accounted for in the input tally.)

[phlebo123]

I also have an irritable bladder. I also get pain in and around my bladder. From nowhere, I suddenly get the urge to rush to the toilet. Also have to get up to go several times during the night. There is a condition called interstitial cystitis, try googling it. Apparently this condition is more common in people with irritable bowel and fibromyalgia. Doesn't seem to be any real treatment for it, unfortunately, but learn to live with it!! Sorry can't be of any more help xx

[Cat00 in reply to phlebo123]

I have bladder pain syndrome also known as interstitial cystitus, there many treatments for it but they are often ineffective and be quite invasive. They can include things like self-cathertization and eventual removal of the bladder so doctors seem completely unwilling to start treatments. The evening meal can effect your bladder bc the weight of the food in your bowel can put extra pressure on your bladder.

[Bruton]

Thanks guys. I have ibs with my fibro. Up several times in the night. During the day if i feel the need to go i can hold it a while. But once ive eaten my evening meal if i feel the need ive got to go. Even then i might not get there in time. Ive no idea what difference the evening/ meal makes. I keep my diet fairly low sulphite .drink water at a push and tea. Thanjs for thoughts.xx

[saluhouse]

Hi Bruton. I have had persistent bladder problems over many years. My GP always sent off a sample and prescribed antibiotics (which often make the Fibro symptoms worse).

I did a lot of research and came up with ‘interstitial cystitis’ as being a possible diagnosis. When I suggested it to my GP he asked ‘How do you know about that?’. I replied ‘Google’. He shrugged his shoulders and said ‘You read too much!’

So that ended my consultation and I left with yet another course of antibiotics.

BUT from all my research I learned triggers for interstitial cystitis are many and diverse. I had already realised citrus made it worse - so avoided all the usual oranges/lemons/grapefruit combos. But I didnt realise tomatoes were also a likely aggravation. And I did eat a lot of tomatoes.

So I stopped eating them. And I have been a lot better. Saying that - I do very occasionally cheat with a solitary salad tomato and I seem to get away with it!

Best wishes xxx

[LoneEra in reply to saluhouse]

Sounds very familiar. I was ignored when I raised interstitial cystitis. I ended up going to the genitourinary clinic and speaking to a specialist there - she confirmed it was interstitial cystitis.

When I spoke to a GP about it years later, she tried prescribing me antibiotics for it. I then had to explain that it’s not a bacterial infection 🤦🏼‍♀️

[saluhouse in reply to LoneEra]

Hi LoneEra. I totally agree with you. My urine tests always come back ‘no infection’. I’ve given up trying to talk to my GP - he just doesn’t listen when I say ‘it’s never bacterial’.

Just by trial and error I’ve found the best treatment (for me) is anti-fungal. Plus avoiding acid type foods (citrus/tomatoes/pickles) and perfumed bath and shower products. Keep well hydrated.

Tbh - it’s just another annoying fibro add-on!!

Xxx

[Kitten-whiskers]

I seem to be able to add that to my list of symptoms, for me I put it down to IBS not the fibro.

It is such a nightmare especially if the amount of public toilets is getting less and less, when I go out for the day (even in the summer) I do not drink anything until I get home