Weak Bladder Problem.

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Weak Bladder Problem.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition characterized by the sudden urge to pee which can be frequent and difficult to control, often leading to leakage and incontinence.

It has been nearly a year since I wrote to my GP and asked them to prescribe me something. In total five people acknowledged they read the letter but my GP never once responded. Yes, I plan to sue the surgery for medical negligence, I just need to muster the strength to do this.

I have since read that the medication Aquiette could be reclassified after the Commission on Human Medicines advised that it is safe to buy without a prescription. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/apr/23/overactive-bladder-drug-could-be-made-over-the-counter-in-uk

Considering my GP is worse than useless I cannot wait for this to get on the market.

Millions of women suffering from an overactive bladder have been urged to take part in a consultation that could make a treatment available over the counter for the first time. (I was not asked lol).

One in six women in the UK is thought to have symptoms associated with an overactive bladder, such as the sudden, uncontrolled need to urinate which can lead to accidental leaks.

Aquiette tablets are used to treat women with milder symptoms of the condition which cannot be controlled by bladder training alone.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is calling on people with the condition, as well as healthcare professionals with experience in treating it, to share their views in the reclassification consultation.

Dr. Laura Squire, chief healthcare quality and access officer at the MHRA, said:

“For many women, an overactive bladder can make day-to-day living extremely challenging. It can impact relationships, work, on social life, and it can lead to anxiety and depression. Fortunately, there are treatments around, and from today you will have a chance to have your say on whether one of those treatments, Aquiette, can be available for the first time without a prescription.”

After reading this I decided to do some research and went on the NHS website and filled in their questionnaire and this is the results:

I usually go to the loo every 1.5 hours to 2 hours day and night, I take medication although I know it is not the cause of my problem. My problem is I drink energy drinks because of the medication I take to go to sleep, when I wake I feel like a zombie so I need something to keep me awake. It is a vicious cycle.

Urinary incontinence is the unintentional passing of urine. It’s a common problem thought to affect millions of people.

There are several types of urinary incontinence, including:

• stress incontinence – when urine leaks out at times when your bladder is under pressure; for example, when you cough or laugh
• urge incontinence – when urine leaks as you feel a sudden, intense urge to pee, or soon afterward (this is me for sure).
• overflow incontinence (chronic urinary retention) – when you’re unable to fully empty your bladder, which causes frequent leaking
• total incontinence – when your bladder cannot store any urine at all, which causes you to pass urine constantly or have frequent leaking

It’s also possible to have a mixture of both stresses and urge urinary incontinence.

I used to work in a studio that did not have staff toilets so every time I needed to pee I would have to shut up the shop and go to the nearest cafe or bar. If one has a sudden urge to pee one cannot waste time, so working from home is ideal for me as I simply hurry down the corridor. But I should not have to live like this and my GP has let me down.

I will be sending a corroborating email about how my condition has progressed a year on and how I am writing and will continue writing about this surgery. I have mentioned them in my marketing journal and I am sure they are not happy because I mentioned the surgery by name.

Causes of urinary incontinence

Stress incontinence is usually the result of the weakening of or damage to the muscles used to prevent urination, such as the pelvic floor muscles and the urethral sphincter.

Urge incontinence is usually the result of the overactivity of the detrusor muscles, which control the bladder. (This is what I have got I’m sure).

Overflow incontinence is often caused by an obstruction or blockage in your bladder, which prevents it from emptying fully.

Total incontinence may be caused by a problem with the bladder from birth, a spinal injury, or a small, tunnel-like hole that can form between the bladder and a nearby area (fistula).

Certain things can increase the chances of urinary incontinence, including:

• pregnancy and vaginal birth
• obesity (yes I am slightly overweight but am not about to change my lifestyle because someone tells me to)
• a family history of incontinence
• increasing age – although incontinence is not an inevitable part of aging (yes I am aging although my mind is still young)
• Coffee, tea, and other caffeinated drinks
• Alcohol, including beer and wine
• Sodas and other fizzy drinks
• Artificial sweeteners
• Citrus fruit drinks
• Tomato and tomato-based vegetable juices
• Chocolate (I cannot give up chocolate it has serotonin in it)

The only drink I drink day in a day out is “Monster Ultra White” which has artificial sweeteners and caffeine. I do not drink coffee, tea, alcohol, fizzy drinks, or fruit juices. I occasionally may drink “Evian” water when I have no energy drinks left.

Treating urinary incontinence

Non-surgical treatments

Initially, a GP may suggest some simple measures to see if they help improve your symptoms. (like I said my GP is worse than useless)

These may include:

• lifestyle changes such as losing weight and cutting down on caffeine and alcohol (I do not drink alcohol and sure when the universe gives me a £1,000,000. and I am stressed free I will not have to take my medication for my stress, anxiety, and depression. My mental health will improve so I won’t be dependent on prescribed medication to make me fall asleep and caffeine to wake me up again -problem solved).
• pelvic floor exercises, where you strengthen your pelvic floor muscles by squeezing them. (I do this just to hold it in)
• bladder training, where you learn ways to wait longer between needing to urinate and passing urine (my bladder has a mind of its own).
• Medicine may be recommended if you’re still unable to manage your symptoms (that’s what I wanted a year ago).
• Surgical treatment for stress incontinence, such as a sling procedure.

Useful Links:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/

USEFUL LINKS

#weakbladder #pelvicfloor #incontinence #overactivebladder