Overactive bladder

[Peanut31]

Morning

I’ve asked for advice previously, and it’s been so helpful, thank you.

Yesterday I managed to secure a telephone appointment with a nurse tomorrow. This is due to the fact my GP telephone appointment isn’t until June to discuss my peri menopause symptoms.

I’ve popped myself on the Newson menopause clinic waiting list too.

However, my overactive bladder is driving me crazy and getting worse, it started 6 months ago, where I need frequent trips to the toilet for a wee, and I go, but, I feel as if I don’t empty my bladder and need the loo 10 minutes later, and can go again.

I’m up several times in the night with this so it’s effects my sleep pattern, and I have to make sure I’m near a toilet if I go out.

I’ve tried drinking less, etc but it doesn’t help. It’s not an infection either.

When I mentioned this to another nurse (had a recent smear) and told her my peri menopause symptoms, she focused on this one thing and said we need to investigate that first etc etc.

My fear is that I will be diverted to a different medical path as we read and hear about this rather than focus on the bigger picture, which is I am entering peri menopause

Has anyone else experienced this bladder issue and has any advice for me?

I don’t want to been given tablets for this with them not looking at the bigger picture.

Best wishes

Peanut31

[wobblybee Administrator]

Feel reassured that this ‘urgency’ will be investigated, you may not be given tablets, there are other options if treatment is necessary. It is an absolute nuisance when frequency dominates day to day activities, so if you have the option of nipping it in the bud..

[Peanut31 in reply to wobblybee]

Thank you for your reply. X

[Eeeeebygum]

Hi Peanut , I had this feeling along with feeling like things had dropped a bit in the undercarriage! Sex was getting uncomfortable too. Went to drs, this was in 2020 and she put me on Vagifem for vaginal dryness. She said you can feel like things have moved when you’re drier down below and also the Vagifem helps with bladder symptoms. It’s helped me.

[Peanut31 in reply to Eeeeebygum]

Thanks for the reply, I’ll look into that.

Best wishes

[DylanTheRabbit]

Yes, I had exactly that problem for a few months. It was infuriating not feeling like my bladder was empty and then back on the loo so soon after. It stopped after I'd been using systemic hrt for a while.

Hopefully they'll quickly rule out an infection. While you're waiting for the GP, if your nurse is able to prescribe, you could ask to try some local oestrogen. I use imvaggis which is a waxy pessary with no applicator, so much less packaging.

[Peanut31 in reply to DylanTheRabbit]

Hi DylanTheRabbit

I had my telephone call with the nurse and she sent me for bloods today.

She wants a hormone level blood test, vitamin levels including iron and a coeliac test, plus thyroid.

I have to say I don’t think I’m going to get very far with the NHS on the peri menopause front.

I gave her a list of my symptoms (long list) but she kept saying that as I hadn’t stopped my periods and not having hot sweats she wants to rule everything else out as it won’t be peri menopause. I pointed out that I had night sweats and my period pattern has changed along with everything else.

I was prepared for this reaction from them.

I’m angry about the coeliac test, as I told her I was gluten intolerant and given up gluten for five years now, it just goes to show she didn’t listen to anything I said, what happened to listening to the patient.

On the plus side I have a consultation with a doctor at the Louise Newton clinic very soon, and what I find spooky was it was my day off today, switched onto This Morning programme and Louise Newton did a phone in on Peri menopause/menopause stating blood tests are a waste of time during peri menopause as they fluctuate, and doctors need to listen to their patients not go by blood tests.

I took a urine sample in today, but they were not happy as it showed up with blood when they dipped it, they told me I needed one when not on my period.

I requested to drop a sample off last week, but the nurse told me not to bother. I explained to the nurse that took my bloods, that giving a urine sample when not on my period will be difficult as I’m on my period more than off it now.

I’m really hoping the Newton clinic will step in and help, as going by the phone in on this morning it appears that lots of ladies are being fobbed off.

I’m lucky I can afford a consultation as my family are chipping in too.

Best wishes

[DylanTheRabbit in reply to Peanut31]

Good luck with it. They might surprise you. I was put on hrt as soon as I asked for it by my GP, but she did still run blood tests to rule out iron deficiency, thyroid trouble etc. It's routine, just in case.