Maybe a stupid question BUT...how do you evaluate your own frequency?

[Shelka]

I'm in the midst of a long flare & I have to complete a bladder diary for my urologist and I was wondering if I should just be going to the washroom whenever I have the urge and recording this (so he gets a real sense of how often I could/or would like to go) OR do what I normally do, which is hold it until I can't hold it any longer?

For me, my main problem with IC (when flaring or on a bad day) is that I always feel my bladder is full & bursting even though I've JUST used the washroom. I never allow myself to 'go' as often as I've felt the need to, but rather, I usually hold it for as long as I can. So, the result is that during a bad day I will end up going about 15-20 times BUT this is while holding it & being in a lot of discomfort in between...whereas if I went everytime I felt I had to I think I would end up with some really high number of about 50 times.

I'm also wondering if most people also 'hold it' (in discomfort) to some extent or do you go whenever you have the urge? I can't believe I've had IC for over 10 years & still don't know the answer to this question!! :bonk:

Thanks everyone!
Shelley

[pottywoman]

I use to go when I had the urge in the beginning but after 8 years I go when I have to much pain or I know the bladder is really full. Otherwise I hold it. Even do so at night. Bladder will say to get up but I tell it shut and go back to sleep. :-)

[yvette]

Shelley: I once had to do a voiding diary and I din't like theirs so I did my own.
There were several columns.
THe first: the time
The second: the amount
The 3rd: a brief sentence (if it called for it)
The fouth: my mood indicated with a smiley face -- either happy, sad or blah faces.

I'd say go everytime you have the urge to go and maybe make notes at the end of each day that normally you hold it with discomfort.

I remember one day I had gone 42x by 2pm. :mad:

Good luck and Let us know how you make out! :)

[dg2901]

Make sure you also include your FLUID INTAKE in the voiding diary. Otherwise your OUTPUT wont mean anything to the Dr. Its also a good idea to include what exactly you drank.
stay well
diana

[Tweety69]

Hi Shelley,

I'm so glad you posted this question as it is something that has been bothering me for quite some time too. I have never been able to fill in a bladder diary for the same reasons. I constantly feel the sensation to void even if I have just been, and would like to be able to go when I first feel a small volume, but like yourself, feel it is best whenever possible to train the bladder to hold more despite the discomfort it brings. Obviously this isn't advisable or possible if you are in pain or having a flare. On paper it may look like I don't have a frequency problem, when in reality I feel the same way you do in that I'd never be off the toilet if I gave in to every sensation. As already mentioned, it sounds like a good idea to customize your own diary in order to reflect your true voiding patterns.

[ICNDonna]

Including comments in the diary should help the doctor understand. For example, if you urinate at 7:00, and feel the urge at 7:05 --- note it --- then if you wait until 7:30 to go, you can enter the amount. The clearer you can make it, the better.

Donna