Trouble Peeing

[julieferalcat]

What has helped you the most with peeing more easily? I strained for years before I was correctly diagnosed with DESD (a form of PFD - I don't have IC). When I was at my worst, I could only pee by standing and squatting over the toilet. This could make for highly embarrassing situations as I didn't have much control over my elimination.

Now I take 10 mg. Valium at night, which initially helped a lot. (I could sit!) But I think I am building up a tolerance to it, and my uro recommended that I increase my dosage. However it makes me sleepy in the mornings and I'm concerned about taking so much Valium. I also have a Microgyn unit but I've been really erratic about using it - it helped a little initially but not as much as the Valium. He said I could also try Botox injections in my abdomen but they can cause sudden loss of continence as a side effect. I'm kind of at my wits end right now as my humiliating problem which I thought was under control is returning.

So how hard has it been for you to pee? I feel like such a freak. And what has helped you the most to increase flow and reduce frequency?

[Sarojini]

I also take Valium to relax the pelvic muscles. I have also taken Flomax, which is a drug for men with enlarged prostates -- it is an alpha-blocker that helps relax the bladder neck and therefore strengthen the urine stream. That can help in women as well -- I know several who've had great luck with it.

Other things that help are taking hot baths or using a heating pad when possible; this relaxes the muscles down there and allows me to pee more easily.

Other than that, I'm not sure... but I do understand how annoying it is to have to get into a weird position to urinate. I have my own way of doing it too -- hunched over, legs back and to the sides, like toilet is a racehorse and I'm the jockey... *sigh*

[Claredale]

Jen, that made me laugh! The valium suppositories have been working pretty well with me. There have been times that I am bent all the way over and push a little out at a time. I went to potty a little while ago and I didn't have to concentrate or anything I just peed!!!! I felt like I should have gotten a cheer!!!!

Tracey

[tabasco32]

yay!!!!!!!!!!

[Claredale]

Thanks Tabasco!!! When I was potty training my boys, I would always cheer for them after they went potty.

[**Angie**]

I found that the minute I take a breath while going my weak stream stops!! So before I can go I have to turn the water on, I lean forward and relax, then push--I know I know that's a big no no!! But I have to go and this works.

[Claredale]

I have compared it to being in labor. Okay breathe, now push.....Take a breath and push!!!!

I turn the water on as well. Isn't it so frustrating????

[mary124]

I'm having trouble right now too, tried the hot baths, (didn't help) heating pads (helped a little) had water on (even had it on at work-- someone came in the bathroom and turned it off- and then someone else came in behind them and said "leave it on its for Mary, shes having trouble going to the bathroom" boy thats embarrassing. I really didn't want to come out of the stall after that, especially since I didn't reconized the first voice!! I tried flomax along time ago, when I had this problem before but it didn't help. Don't know what to do now.

[Angie]

Two tips from my physio helped me.
1. 'The Sniff'. Before you go to the loo, stand up straight and relax. Put one hand over your chest and the other over your stomach, just below the ribs. Breathe in and out nice and gently and then take a BIG deep breathe in through your nose (ie 'sniff'). You'll feel your pelvic floor dropping and relaxing.
2.When you go to the loo, put a couple of loo rolls on the floor, hip width apart, on the floor in front of the loo and rest your feet on them. This also has the effect of relaxing the pelvic floor and makes it easier to pee.

Love Angie

[ICNDonna]

Flomax, or one of the other medications that relax those bladder sphincter muscles, may help a lot. There are several --- my husband takes hytrin and I have taken cardura in the past. I encourage anyone who is having problems urinating to talk with your doctor if you haven't already.

Donna

[mary124]

In the past, I have taken Flomax and Detrol and a few others, but they haven't worked, I just called my doctors nurse to let her know that the bleeding has finally stopped but I still can't go to the bathroom. She said that she will let the doctor know and either call me back to see if I have to go in to see him or just call me in a prescription for something.

[julieferalcat]

I didn't have any luck with Flomax either... it didn't seem to do anything. Angie, I'm going to try your tips. Thanks so much! I also got a referral for a physical therapist off this board so I'm going to give that a try finally.

[Claredale]

I am printing them out!!! I am looking for any tips!!! It is just so weird, sometimes I go right away and other times it takes me forever to just PEE! Flomax and detrol and ditropan all made me not able to empty my bladder.