Retention?

[southerngirl]

Hey. I just posted a question about a symptom and then thought that I wanted to ask aboout this as well. Retention--does that mean that when you urinate, it doesn't all come out? I used to not have that problem but I have noticed it more lately, that I sit for like 20 minutes sometimes trying to squeeze it all out because typically if I don't I'm right back in there. But even after that I'll still have a sensation of needing to go that will sometimes go away after awhile. What causes the retention and what can I do about that? Also, what causes that sensation of needing to go?

[Katrina]

I means that either you can't go when there is something in your bladder, you have difficulty going, or as you described you can't get it all out.

Retention is usually from tightened musscles...possibly reacting to severe infammation. Sometimes it is over treatment of bladder contractions or our musscles tightening because of some other kind of med. The sensation of needing to go comes from a dammaged gag layer in the bladder allowing you to feel like you have to go even if little is there. It can also come because of bladder spasms, severe retention, acidic urine, or a shrunken bladder unable to hold much.
If you have severe retention consider learning to self cath.
If your problem is retention or bladder contractions practice relaxing the pelvic musscles. When you go to the bathroom and go...wait and relax and message your urethra with a tishue or something.
Use a topical analgesic, alternate heat and cold,
o Marshmallow root (althaea officinalis) helps sooth irritation and inflammation, can help spasms
Catnip (nepeta cataria) eases menstrual pain, soothes the nerves, and as a sleep aid.
http://www.algonot.com/ Algonot-Plus®: Algonot, LLC, is the maker of a line of nutraceuticals specifically designed to help with the symptoms of IC, chronic prostatitis, and arthritis. Their latest products, CystoProtek and ProstaProtek, combine the original Algonot-Plus formula with sodium hyaluronate:
o Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) mild sedative, reduces inflammation, relieve menstrual cramps, can help bladder spasms http://www.ic-network.com/cgi-bin/u...=Foods-Tea.html
cornsilk tablets are unreal!!!!! Good for burning but may up your frequency. Are mild dieuretics
Lavender Oil (the sent is a great for relaxing but to rub on bladder can also have a calming effect. Good for spasms)

• Moisture (Moisture helps relax your pelvis is calming to your bladder)
Warm Baths (NOT HOT!!!!) No bubble bath or strong soaps, please! Soft soaps, perfumed soaps, bath salts & bubble baths can be very irritating to an IC patient. However, you can put baking soda in the tub for extra comfort. SITZ Baths Definition: A sitz bath (also called a hip bath) is a type of bath in which only the hips and buttocks are soaked in water or saline solution. Its name comes from the German verb "sitzen," meaning "to sit." I recommend: (a tub divided into two …one half is filled with hot water and the other cold. With part of the body on one side and than switching and back again in quick succession) Recommended 3 times a day for 20 min each
Warm wash cloth

[ICNDonna]

One thing you need to do is avoid straining. Straining will make the spasms worsen and make the situation even more uncomfortable. Please talk to your doctor about this. There are medications that will hkelp make it easier to urinate.

Donna

[sheryl*]

Southern Girl, I have the same problem too, drives me crazy would account for at least half of my 50x to the bathroom, just can tget it all out, I find it easier espeicailly late at night when I am so tired to void into an old towel that I use and wash just for this purpose, as for what ever reason finding it easier to void while standing, seem that there is less pressure on the bladder allowing for more urine to come out, I dotn really know for sure why, but thats my guess. I hope you get some relief too, you are not alone!! I am glad I found this forum, very imformative, and I dotn feel so alone, It does stink though that so many others are having to suffer the same thing, wish we didnt, but glad we have a place to share and confide with others who understand....Sheryl

[emilyrose197377]

I have severe urinary retention also I know how you feel. My uro prescribed me urecholine but it does not help me much. Donna my uro told me to try and force it out.
good luck to you my retention causes me severe pain.

Take care
Kim

[sheryl*]

For me I find if I am more relaxed it helos with the retention some, not completley but some, some things I do are run the water, and the fan in there, as the nosie from both relaxes me, and helps drown out others noises such as kids fighting(LOL), tv whatever. And I noticed even today another techniqu that seem to help at phychologically anyway, is I slowly count to 10, didnt even realize I was doing it until I caught myself doing it today, but hey whatever works!! I try to force sometimes to, sometimes it works sometimes it dont....Sheryl