Is it okay not to go??

[geel]

Is it okay to hold my urine?? I feel like I need to go pretty much all the time. So I don't run off to the toilet because a. I am too busy or b. what's the point because I don't really get much relief. So my question is, is it harmful to hold it in?? Would it be better to go more often? In nine hours I've gone maybe 8 times but I definitly could go more I just don't let myself. Any thoughts?? My full story is a few posts down. Will have surgery in Feb, lap for possible endo, hydro & scope for bladder trouble. I've had the urgency problems among others since early Dec. Thanks! Ellen

[waterflow]

When I went to physical therapy part of it was to train the bladder to go when I wanted it to. At that time I coudln't do it. Only made it much worse but since the heparin has helped I have been able to train the bladder to go at certain times unless I am having a worse time with it. Say if I drive or go for groceries. I will only get up at night at certain times unless I know the bladder really needs to empty out.

[MerryBerryMoose]

I would suggest to go when you feel you need to for a while, then gradualy hold it a little bit longer and longer. Doing that may also help you realise when you really need to go.

Try not to hold it too long, becuase that isn't good for your bladder. I used to hold it for 7-12 hour stretches because of school/I didn't have time/or I forgot to go and I think that contributed to my IC.

[izazen]

You are really speaking to me - I have so many "false starts" that I just feel like -what the heck - I'll just try to ignore it.
I know I bear down on my bladder when I'm nervous or excited and I don't REALLY have to go so I sometimes just press down on my bladder area and try to feel if its really my bladder that is full or am I just imagining it.
Right now I'm trying to go every 3 hours if I need to or not - mostly I do (except at night) - hey I'm 10 minutes "overdue" -got to sign off and "go!!"
Nice talking to you!

[A.J.]

to help with this I started taking Ditropan and it was a lifesaver. it gradually stopped helping because I'm usually like that with medicine, so now I'm on Sanctura which I think is similar and it's been great for me. good luck and maybe your doctor could prescribe one of these for you?

[**Angie**]

That's what I did. I was trying to go all the time at first. Everytime I moved my bladder would contract all the way thru to the urethra. It drove me nuts. Now I've got it to about once an hour and I'm okay with that.
angie :)

[Trishann]

My opinions is it is ok to hold your urine for a start time but I think you will start having major problems if you continue to hold it in for a long period of time. For one reason you are keeping your muscle tight all the time and then when it is time to relax those muscle, it will not be as easy. Also if you continue to do this, in my opinion, you will start having pain when you try to relax, and causing spasms. You will get to the point that you don't realized you are keeping your muscle tight all the time. :hi:

[izazen]

I'm holding it for 3-5 hours now but if I do get a "real" urge like I REALLY have to go - I go. Its not good to hold it if its at all painful. A little discomfort I can handle - try to distract myself, etc. but pain? No no no!

[DawnForth]

I have learned that holding it in for a short while can help with learning self control as long as it's not hurting you. I'm starting to have some more symptoms over the last few days so I've started the Urised again. I've noticed that after I go, my bladder has spasms. Don't know if I have a UTI or not, but if the Urised doesn't help, I'll have to submit some urine to my doctor. I haven't found a new doctor yet simply because I haven't had any symptoms lately. It doesn't matter if I drink or eat bad things (for six months I drank nothing BUT water), I have episodes regardless. I'm drinking more and more water to try to "clean" myself out in addition to the antiseptic.

Drinking as much clear liquids - water, as possible, seems to help during my episodes. I just hope it continues to help. :toilet:

[sami4]

I find if I dont pee within a reasonable time, even if I know my bladder isnt that full, I will get PAIN. So, no, I dont hold more than 15-20 minutes, then I start to sweat.
Sammi