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Acute onset urinary frequency and bladder pressure

RHR
Acute onset urinary frequency
by RHR, 2 minutes ago
I am a 50 yr. old post-menopausal (5+ yrs.) woman having feelings of pressure on my bladder and the need to urinate which never goes away and becomes more acute after urinating. There is no pain or itching.  This began suddenly about 10 days ago after week at beach. I was in water, sitting in wet bathing suit and in heat.

Have had urinalysis, urine culture, pelvic ultrasound of ovaries and bladder - all normal. No blood, no sugar, no protein, etc.  Examinations for yeast and bacerial infections were negative. Was treated for possible urethritis with 3 day dose of Levaquin of 250 mg, then 3 days of 500 mg  Levquin, then switched to doxycline 200 mg a day.  Just started 2nd day of doxycycline and feeling no better - not sure when I would notice anything.  No recent sexual activity.

Gyn thinks it's estrogen deficiency and wants me to start vagifem, but I am questioning the acute onset of this??  Cannot detect any bladder spasms, but am extremely uncomfortable feeling like I always need to urinate.  Notice it is particularly bad when lying down and on either side.  Can only sleep on back.  Some nights it wakes me up every 3 hours, some nights I can make it through the night.  Yesterday, had short period of time in morning and early afternoon where I thought symptoms were better, but then got worse in afternoon and have stayed worse since.

Does anyone have any idea what this could be?  Was given prescription for pyridium, but that sounds like it's more for pain and don't want to mask anything as I have urology appt. on Wed.
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Avatar universal
Would like to add this reference

http://www.wakehealth.edu/uploadedFiles/User_Content/PatientsAndVisitors/Patient_Care/Urology/Pelvic%20Floor%20Dysfunction.pdf
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Avatar universal
Hi, I just wanted to follow up on my previous posts. My problem coming on all of a sudden with urinary frequency and feeling like I had to go all the time, along with strange tingling and funny feelings down there. Well, I am happy to report I am doing much better and it seems my frequency is due to pelvic floor dysfunction, probably stemming from having two foot surgeries and the stress( clenching of abdominal muscles) of my life- won't go into details! I started pelvic floor therapy after having tons of tests including a cystoscope which all were normal. They do internal massage which can be very painful when they press on certain spots. No pain except when the PT does her work, then tears, but worth it. The therapists says this should not hurt at all, so I know this is the problem. So, please consider pelvic floor dysfunction if you are having urinary symptoms, with or without pain and burning. I had no pain or burning, just the feeling of having to go all the time. I am shocked that this could have caused all this uproar in my life. The muscles that hold your bladder, reproductive organs etc can get tight and out of whack from childbirth, stress, change of gait, orthopedic issues, and put pressure on your bladder, urethra etc causing many issue. I sought out a reputable urogynocologist, didn't care too much for the first guy Dr, found a female urogynocologist and am thrilled with her and her understanding and compassion! Best of luck and don't give up seeking a cause and cure. I felt like this was never going to end, but I am almost ' normal again'! There is mention in these books how the foods you can eat can affect your pelvic floor muscles and connective tissue, so it may explain why some of us have a ' normal' cystoscope test but still feel like foods may be a contributer. I did follow the IC diet (90%) for about two months during all this so that might have helped get this under control. I Recommend Reading these two books. They have so much easy to read information In them that is such a comfort to know what we are feeling is real and has real solutions. Thank you Sherry for starting this blog, it helped me tremendously. Ending Female Pain: A Woman's Manual - The Ultimate Self-Help Guide for Women Suffering from Chronic Pelvic and Sexual Pain Paperback – October 5, 2009
by Isa Herrera (Author)
And
Heal Pelvic Pain: The Proven Stretching, Strengthening, and Nutrition Program for Relieving Pain, Incontinence,& I.B.S, and Other Symptoms Without Surgery Paperback –

by Amy Stein
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Avatar universal
Yes, I have seen dr too. I don't have a history of UTI, only one  20 years ago. I am 54, two years without a period.  Mine started 6 weeks ago out of nowhere and has been relentless. Sometime I will have a few hours of relief, but most of the time the feeling I have to go comes backs in 15 minutes. I have had ct scan of lower abdomen and cystoscopy, both fine. Had about 5 urine tests and cultures, fine but also told microscopic blood but that is common. I saw a urogynocologist who did pelvic and said all good there too. He has put me on OAB medicine (4 days now, not noticing any change yet) and sending me to pelvic floor dysfunction therapy.  I had two foot surgeries recently and thinking maybe all that sitting around has screwed up my pelvic floor. I have no pain, just the feeling of having to go. It's driving me crazy and has completely changed up my daily routine. Thanks for responding and keep me posted of your situation. What symptoms did you have when you had the kidneys stones? Just frequency or also pain? Helps to hear others are having same issues but so frustrating!
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Avatar universal
I responded to other post.  How did you make out with the test?

The test okay, but painful after. Had in 4 years ago. All good.

Did they find any answers?

I hope I don't need that again especially if I get no answers.  
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1 Comments
Yes, I have seen dr too. I don't have a history of UTI, only one  20 years ago. I am 54, two years without a period.  Mine started 6 weeks ago out of nowhere and has been relentless. Sometime I will have a few hours of relief, but most of the time the feeling I have to go comes backs in 15 minutes. I have had ct scan of lower abdomen and cystoscopy, both fine. Had about 5 urine tests and cultures, fine but also told microscopic blood but that is common. I saw a urogynocologist who did pelvic and said all good there too. He has put me on OAB medicine (4 days now, not noticing any change yet) and sending me to pelvic floor dysfunction therapy.  I had two foot surgeries recently and thinking maybe all that sitting around has screwed up my pelvic floor. I have no pain, just the feeling of having to go. It's driving me crazy and has completely changed up my daily routine. Thanks for responding and keep me posted of your situation. What symptoms did you have when you had the kidneys stones? Just frequency or also pain? Helps to hear others are having same issues but so frustratingly!
Avatar universal
Have you made any progress on your symptoms? Thanks
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Avatar universal
How have you been doing? Would love an update. Thx
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Avatar universal
I have the same thing for 6 weeks. Am 54. Need to pee all the times, sometimes will get a little relief for a bit between times. No pain, no UTI. Having cystoscope done tomorrow. So frustrating so many have this problem. Just came out if no where, no other health problems. Please follow up with what's been happening.
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Avatar universal
It's nice to know I'm not the only one in the world with these symptoms! One would think so after being to a number of Dr.'s including Urologist, every month for the last 2 yrs! I've been treated for uti's, overactive bladder, and even had surgery for cystitis. I've taken Cipro, Macrobid, Oxybutynin, Azo, tried eating non acidic foods, etc. Nothing works! I feel the urge to urinate at least every hr., sometimes as soon as 20 min! I was able to sleep on my sides until about 6 month ago and now there is no way! I instantly feel irritated unless I sleep on my back. I have no pain when I urinate. It would be great to actually know what's wrong and quit wasting time and money.
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1 Comments
Any progress? Thx
Avatar universal
I'm 37, on about year three of peri menopause. For years I have had the urge to pee as soon as I lay down( long before that started). Used to only be if I laid on my left side. Now only slight relief comes if I lay on my back. I always go right before bed, and get up at least once usually twice to "try" again. Never much is voided. I as well have no insurance. It seems vaginal estrogen works for a lot of people on here. Is it safe to use as I am a smoker ?
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Avatar universal
Dear EMello & others, especially RHR for starting this discussion and caythytn for maintaining it. I was going nuts with exactly these symptoms. Recently went through menopause. At times the sensation to urinate was so painful that I thought I was dying of bladder cancer. I reckoned it had something to do with my menopausal symptoms. So rather than go through the hell of a million doctors and tests I bought Ostaderm over the counter through Amazon. It works like a charm. My moods are much better as is my focus and it keeps the urination agony in check. Btw, the urination agony comes every three weeks or so and appears to be related to my body's inability to complete the process of having a period.
One thing that helps instantly is Advil. Gives instant relief unfortunately the relief does not last for more than 2 hrs. Estrogen cream is the answer. Get yourself some and spare yourself the excruciating agony of urinary pain.

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1 Comments
Can you update us on how your doing. Thx
Avatar universal
sounds like my symptoms, what ever came of things?  what provided relief?  thank you
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Avatar universal
I'm sorry.  I mint to text the Dr gave me Estrace. and I was surgically attached by minute attachments in two small but irritating enough places.  i will keep using the estrace for 3 weeks and update if it is effective at removing the stitched adhesion as well as stopping the contractions or whatever horrible sensation it is.
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Avatar universal
I have a sensation that drives me crazy when I lay on my right side at night only.  I was not sure if it was urethral or clitoral.  i found a tube of estriol my doctor gave me last year.  I rubbed it on and believe it or not, I slept sound.  This has bothered me since February of 2009.  I am on vesicare but it was only effective sometimes.  Oxybutinin was not as effective.  I noticed while putting on the cream that I have a surgically performed adhesion.  I did not request the surgery to enhance my pleasure and was shocked and appalled to see it.  I am most certain that "lift" of my right labia is causing urinary problems.  She made a minute it to my right clitoris and my right hood. made even cutting the lip 4 in for the lifting. The estrogen is making the area more supple and loose thereby less lift. I also have nerve sensitivity from MS. Unbelievable but true.
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Avatar universal
The Elavil has been working for me for the last two years. I only have to take 25 mgs. at night. I have no side effects and sleep like a baby even at that low of a dose. Good luck to all you ladies who are dealing with this and please ask your Dr. about Elavil it is a safe well known drug and it worked and is working for me.
Have a Great day,
Cathy
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1 Comments
Hi, why did dr put you on Elavil? Is that an anti depressant? Thx
Avatar universal
I am a 55 yrs. old. I was having the sensation of having to urinate almost every 2 hours. Sometimes I had the sensation even after urninating. I have had bladder surgery in the past and everything there is still in place. The dr. put me of Toviaz which helps some. I can usually make it 4 - 5 hrs. without having to pee. I do get increased pressure on my bladder at night when I lay on my side. It seems to be worse laying on my right side. It's very annoying. I get up to pee and lay back down and still feel like I have to go. I think I too have been concerned that it may be someting more serious. I went to the GYN 2 weeks ago and had an exam. I'm thinking if there was something going on with my ovaries (enlarged or anything), he would have noticed. I have had a partial hysterectomy so I have no uterus. I guess I am relieved tto hear that others are having very similar symptoms. ***** to get older. If anyone has had any luck with anything to help I would sure like to hear about it.
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Avatar universal
I have never participated in this type of blog but its good to finally hear others  with my symptons. Symptoms began after menopause at about 52, now I am 59. About 6 years ago I began treating with antibiotics.   That worked for a while but stopped working. Last year,  I began taking Vagefem 2x a week and think that is the trick.  Then I decided to decrease the Vagefem to 1x week and the symptoms are back was symptom free for almost a year.They are usually worse at night, was told I had Interstatial cystitis.  Me and My big ideas to cut Vagefem.  So Now I am back to 2 x a week and hope my symptoms will go away again.

Will keep you posted.
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Avatar universal
I'm 55, post memopausal and having the same symptoms as you. I just had rectocele surgery and hoped that would fix the pressure problem, but I'm still up several times a night. The urge to go almost always involves a hot flash. I used estrace for several years,(which always left me uncomfortably itchy and feeling like I had a yeast infection) and recently switched to Premarin which doesn't seem to make me so itchy. But still can't sleep all night. Also have a lot of anxiety from this. so I take Klonopin at night to sleep, so at least I fall back to sleep now instead of laying awake wondering if I'm ever going to get to sleep all night again!
The rectocele surgery has allowed me to sleep on my belly again (it relieved my intense backache). I also seem to have urinary retention problems during the day, oh and did I mention vulvodynia?
I have to admit I wasn't a fan of the estrace due to side effects and didn't use it as often as prescribed. I'm hoping the premarin cream will k\make the difference.
How are you doing now? It's been a couple of months since you posted?
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Avatar universal
I don't have any pain either just pressure and a need to go feeling, worse when i sit down or lay down on my side.  There is no pain,no leaking and no feeling i won't make it to the bathroom. I have noticed a little less intense feelings without drinking coffee. I'm trying to narrow down what might irritate my bladder and cause some of this. My Dr said he would send me to a Urologist but they are expensive without insurance and IC can't always be seen in a scope unless it's severe or ulcered. He said he wants me to see a Uro if it becomes painful or blood shows up in the urine.  He wants me to come back in 2 months to check the progress of the symptoms and the meds effect.
Cathy
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Avatar universal
RHR
Good luck - I have had no pain so they ruled out interstitial cystitis, but I have heard that Elavil does work.

I hope it does for you.

Take care,.
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Avatar universal
Trying to list link again


http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-information/interstitial-cystitis-treatment.aspx
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Avatar universal
Went to the Dr today and he found no infection or prolapse of the bladder so...... he believes it is  interstitial cystitis which has no cure but several ways to treat. there is a real expensive med. Elmiron since i have no ins we ruled that out for now. He has me on a low dose of  Elavil at night.He wants me to come back in 2 months. I found this aritcle on it  http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-information/interstitial-cystitis-treatment.aspx   Not really feeling that this is going to work but willing to try. Let me know what you find out.
Thanks,
Cathytn
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Avatar universal
I made an appt yesterday with a gyn for Monday morning. It will cost me money I don't have. But I'm just going nuts with the symptoms but more so worrying about what it could be.I'm a little scared so wish me luck! Good luck to you and keep me posted. I think we could both use a good word from a doctor about now.:)
Thanks,
Cathytn
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Avatar universal
RHR
It could be a number of things, from what I understand.

I have had the following tests (in this order) and would advise you to do the same to rule things out.  Then they will check you for things like overactive bladder, interstitial cystitis (which was ruled out for me because I have no pain).

Ultrasound of bladder, pelvis and kidneys - that will look at ovaries, too.

Cystoscopy - basically an endoscopy of the bladder to check to be sure everything is ok

The way I understand it, the vaginal estrogen is that it is just for that area - it is not hormone replacement therapy (HRT) which is prescribed for hot flashes and mood swings.  It just treats the vaginal atrophy that may accompany menopause.  My dr. told me it may get into the bloodstream a bit, but not to be concerned because it is nothing like the HRT. He feels that the bladder definitely needs estrogen and that this may help.

Hang in there!

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Avatar universal
Thank you sooo much for responding, This night time feeling is driving me crazy, I,ve tryed antibiotics and azo and it has been no help. I've had this feeling before but never to this extreme or for this long, If it is just a matter of things falling (bladder) with age I guess I'll learn to live with it since I sure don't have money for surgery to tack it up. I was just afraid it might be more serious, like cancer of the bladder or ovaries since these symptoms seem to fit more then one thing(but those two also have symptoms I don't have) . I'm still not sure what to do but I do want to thank you for your help. It was a relief to know this same thing was happening to someone else and I wasn't alone . I will check back here when I can, so let me know if you find any help and I'll do the same.
Thanks,
Cathytn
P.S. Did they say what exactly the vaginal estrogen would do? I thought that was for some of the symptoms of menopause like hot flashes and mood swings. Just wondering what their thinking is.
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