Drip, Drip, Drip - Anyone else w/problem?

[Steph2]

Elmiron has been helpful. I've been taking 1 capsule per day for the last 6 mos, but lately my frequency has increased and sometimes it's just drip, drip, drip! There is the pressure in the bladder like voiding isn't done, so I wait and wait, decide it's finished, leave the bathroom & then go back in there again! Water intake hasn't been as good as it was in the beginning, &, of course, I've eaten lots of different foods. 99.9% no burning, but just frequency. Driving me crazy. Oh, & not to mention that sometimes I have to run to the bathroom, or I'll wet my britches!!! Anyone else having the drip, drip, drip problem. Most of the time the flow is good, depending on water intake. Thanks for your input. Happy New year, may they find a cure. Kind of rhymes! S

[ICNDonna]

Have you been checked for infection? That could be part of your problem. Also, it could be that you need to think about diet and keep a food diary for a time to see if you can identify an irritant.

Warm healing thoughts,
Donna

[kiffy313]

Yes, I drip, drip, drip, and I just had my 2nd cysto with hydro and urethral dilation. I have to push to get the urine started, ( I know, that is a big no-no...) but, it won't start otherwise. I follow-up from my cysto on 1-7 and will talk with my Uro. then. My stream is pitiful as is the amount. Take Care,
Kandy

[Happy Girl]

I too experience a great need to urinate and then can only drip drip drip and then feel like I need to void immediately. It is so annoying, especially at night. Kristen

[havingsuccess]

I'm another dripper, I have to fight the urge to push it on out. I hate when it does that but I guess that's just part of it. Really bites!!

Success

[vm]

I don't really drip, but "have to" push at the end to empty completely. I know it's bad, but I worry that with some left in my bladder I will get an infection - which I am highly prone to. :confused:

[kat]

Why aren't you supposed to push push push! My dr. told me that, too, but how else do get it to come out. What's the bad result of pushing?

[Coleen]

Oh boy, I am also a pusher! I have to to get it all out although even with pushing it never seems to be empty, or atleast thats how it feels? Why NO PUSHING? I havent been told that but I just got diagnosed yesterday and havent had a follow up appt yet. Not for two weeks. CURIOUS?

*so much to learn!*
Coleen

[ICNDonna]

When you push/strain to either urinate or have a bowel movement, you are putting extra stress on your pelvic floor muscles. Straining for a bowel movement can actually cause a rectocele.

One trick you might try to empty your bladder is to clasp your hands together and apply gentle pressure just above the pubic bone --- then lean over, still pressing gently. Another is to urinate, then stand up for a moment and sit down again.

Many ICers feel more discomfort immediately after urinating than they do before. So after you urinate and have tried the steps above, try NOT straining and just go out of the bathroom for a bit. I know it's difficult, but I also know my bladder feels better ten minutes after I urinate than it does immediately after.

Sending encouraging hugs,
Donna

[lalarainbow]

Hi all
Donna-- I use that trick...the hands on pressure and the getting up, walk around and then sit back down..I do it sometimes 2-3 times....When I am at a public washroom I wonder if people are watching my feet--not that I care though..I had a burch sling done March 02 and my uro says that feeling of not being completely empty is very common. Add the IC and you got a real whammy!
Take care
~~Pam~~ scream

[vm]

But mine isn't just the feeling. When I strain I really do get more out. :confused: I'll try to get up and then sit back down. I have done the bending over and gentle pressure, but it doesn't seem to help...

[kat]

Well, I can see that I'm not the only one who had a question as to why not to strain. Thanks, Donna, for the explanation, but I don't know that word "rectocele." Can you please explain?

[Steph2]

Hello. Thank you for your responses! I've been doing better since increasing the fluid (well, actually water (& Cafix - a cup a day or not!)) Now I seem to have a little more burning, but I think it's 'cause of the onion that was in the potato salad & possibly the BBQ sauce on the chx.-friend's hm night before. They forgot to cook plain, so ya know when you're hungry.... Next day a restaurant I enjoy put onion in the coleslaw that day!(?) Don't know why they changed the recipe - usually I don't have a problem w/the rest., & it's chinese. YUM! (I do use Prelief.)
I've also done the hand pressure method idea :) Lately, I've found if I'm walking towards the bathrm, (gotta go go go - so let's start the flow! - but not until I'm in the proper place. I'm being silly; It must be the fudge. - yep chocolate seems to be ok, but need to eat less) placing my hand above the pubic area & pressing in & up helps the sudden urge to dissipate. What a wonderful discovery! (Except, it may look a little funny in public)
Thanks again! S
PS. Kat - I lived in Boca Raton, Fl for many years. Do you enjoy living there?

[ICNDonna]

A rectocele is when the rectum breaks through the vaginal wall and protrudes into the vagina. The bladder can also do the same and is called a cystocele.

And ..... urine is constantly entering the bladder through the kidneys so if you just sit on the toilet for a few minutes, there will be a tiny bit of urine there.

Donna

[vm]

YOUCH! eek

I really do have urine in the same sitting. I don't sit for long - I just strain at the end and I get more. A few seconds later if that long. :confused: Does it sound like a PFD kind of thing?