Bladder - Sacramento,CA

I have the same problem. I get up at least 2 times each night to use the bathroom. I was always told about the Kegel exercises PRIOR to delivering babies(to keep from tearing) but never thought to do them after. It makes complete sense. I had my boys really close together and both were quite big. I also have a terrible habit of just drinking coffee and coke:) I was so good when I was pregnant and breastfeeding for several years in a row, now that my body is my own...I need my caffeine! Especially since I cant seem to get a full nights rest:) I hope it helps just knowing that there are others struggling with you.
ps. I live in Natomas too! Moved from MI nearly a year ago!

Hi K.,

How much urine output are you seeing when you go? You said you don't hold it until it hurts, but can you hold it or would you leak?

If it's a very small amount of output, maybe you have a recurrent cystitis (bladder infection that never quite goes away) or a sensitive sphincter? I know you can hold it, but does it leak at all when you sneeze or cough? When you go, is the color very clear (like water) or do you see some color from red blood cell break down, yellowish? the yellower/darker it is, the more your kidneys have been working on it and/or you could be dehydrated or sick. The clearer you are could actually indicate issues with your kidneys as well, as they may not be processing your blood very well (they clean the blood and move waste out in your urine through osmosis, so your blood filters through the salty parts a few times until it moves to the bladder for exit.)

Have you seen a urologist for a urodynamic analysis? Kidney, bladder check, blood tests, dye injection to check for 'backwash' into the kidneys...etc.

There are a few surgeries that can help fix a sphincter that does not respond to kegels, and there are medications that can help with the going all the time urge thing, but if I were you, I'd have my doc run urinalysis for white blood cells or other issues/proteins in the urine and blood tests for stuff like diabetes, as both diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus will make you have to pee nonstop. Diabetes insipidus is a lesser known type of diabetes that can happen to people and is not related to insulin issues, however it's constant miserable thirst quenching followed by high volume urine output though.

One other thing it could be is stress or if you are taking certain medications.

Figuring out what the issues are with your doc would be the key to fixing it though.

I am wishing you much luck with all of this! I can imagine how awful that must be. But walking in to your physician's office with a clear picture (or even a list---they seriously hate that by the way) of what your pee schedule/ urine output per day is like, and not taking the brush off from your doctor and advocating for yourself from the get go (I need a specialist! I need a blood test and/or a second opinion!) will help you figure this kind of thing out a lot faster than trying to live with it like you have for the last 3 years. 24 is very young to have sphincter/bladder issues, so I am sending you lots of good healing thoughts!!!

Well, that sounds VERY familiar! After my third daughter, I decided to have bladder repair. My symptoms were the same...maybe worse. Frequent urination and even some leakage when I jumped, ran, or whatever. The surgery was great. I had a hysterectomy at the same time (for other reasons) and even the combined surgery was fine. I would HIGHLY recommend surgery for anyone suffering in this way. My doctor said that no one under 75 should have to suffer with bladder control issues and I couldn't agree more. I tried meds, but they taste awful and make my mouth very dry.
My primary care doctor just wanted me to do Kiegel exercises (which didn't really help long term) and to take meds... when I talked to my ob/gyn he knew surgery was my best option since I had delivered large babies and everything had been moved around and stretched! Since surgery (which is actually inserting a sort of "sling" I haven't had one leak and only occasionally do I have to get up in the middle of the night. Oh, and the sling is expected to last my entire life. Pretty good deal, in my opinion! Good luck to you.

Kimberly,
For me it depends on how much fluid I drink. But I also
know that it is better for my health to drink that much
water....so I guess it depends on what you want. No, my
bladder has not gotten back to normal, but, then again I
retain fluids now that I have had children, and I did not
do that before either. TO this day I get up at least once per night, and my youngest is 13. I have been told with the amount of water I drink, that is normal. The longest I can go is 4 hours. Also, if you drink caffiene it is
a diuretic(sp)and will make you have to go more.
Good luck
W.

Hi K.,
My deliveries were both cesareans, but I, too, have bladder problems (had some bladder nerves severed from prolonged distention post-op... w/ 2nd delivery my bladder was adhered to my uterus, a common thing, and had to cut away and that may have contributed to things for me, too). There is a type of Dr who deals specifically w/ issues like this --a urogynecologist, in case you were interested in having a Dr check it out. Your GYN can refer you. In Sacramento at Sutter, Larry Bowen is the one I see. One little thing a urogyno is likely to tell you is to keep in practice w/ your kegel exercises (from pg days). They have some medications and also procedures they can do if you need a real 'assist' w/ things --also a test to see how bad (or good) things are (it's not the nicest test to have, though). Whatever way each of us w/ bladder issues gets there, a lot of the symptoms we deal w/ are the same (urgency or frequency for those who can feel it; sneezing, coughing, laughing can cause little 'leaks' --um, and intense orgasms can cause little leaks, too, if you aren't fully emptied before sex). It might give you some peace of mind to go in once to see a urogyno and see if there is anything that can help you out some. I was 29 when I had my second born (stillborn) and I thought that was young for having bladder problems persist (at first, I had severe problems, but by a year and a half to 2 out, I was having more like you're experiencing now.. and from then on) . I would imagine it's even more frustrating for you at 24.
Good luck to you (and to your hubby with the PD application).
M. B

K.,
I understand where you are coming from on this one. I have a 3.5 year old son, and I had a hard time with getting my bladder to felling "normal". I asked my gynecologist about this and she recommended Keigel exercises. Apparently U.S. doctors are horrible for prescribing these exercises for women after pregnancy. European doctors not only prescribe it but have classes to show woman how to do the exercises correctly. I started doing them and did notice a difference. It has literally taken me 3 years to feel like myself again after giving birth. Hormones can do some really strange things to the body. In any case, I would recommend talking with your general doctor or gynecologist about the problem. The bladder can be damaged during pregnancy and birth and you may need some minor surgery to repair the damage. Either way, you won't really know unless you see your doctor.

Good Luck.

Hi - I have just recently heard from a reliable source that a teaspoon or a bit more of cream of tartar in warm water is a good remedy for the membrane of the bladder.(you swallow it) It reduces the swelling and therefore that constant irritation which translates into having to go often is eliminated. Worth a try since it's harmless and cream of tartar is a fantastic remedy for chancre sores inside the mouth - directly applied with a moist finger. Do it every 6 hours until it disappears but I am told the problem is alleviated right away. Good luck. TT

I once had the same problem & my doctor just kept advising me to do my "kagel" excercises...
It did help however my MALE doctor always informs me,every time I see him now..."Don't forget your kagel excercies, your husband will thank me"
It gets annoying....

HOLDING it is the worst thing you can do!! I used to do the same thing and the doctoc told be it was the worst thing I could be doing for myslef. I had lots of problems to after having kids. I recommend you going to your doctor. They can do tests to see exatly what the problem is. It might not be the bladder per say, but another problem. You are still very young and they can probably help fix your problem quit easily! I was actually sent to a special type of physical therapist for the problem! Good luck!