www.incontinentsupport.org

About 8 months ago I finally went to the doctor (After some pressure from my wife)….and was diagnosed with OAB based on my story, medical exam and a Diary I had to fill in covering a couple of weeks.
I knew something wasn't right, so I can't say it was such a shock - more a relief, that besides the OAB I was in good condition (I really feared suffering from either prostate problems or diabetes)...

Here is how it all started.
I started to visit the bathroom more and more frequent, sometimes the urge just came out of the blue – in the beginning I didn’t pay much attention to it….as I thought it might be due to too much coffee or fluid intake in general. I have always been drinking a lot of coffee during the day with no (at least not in my opinion) excess voiding, that wen't wel for years...….but about a year ago it seemed as my bathroom visits did become more frequent that I liked, and after a while when I became very aware of the frequency (no more than max. a hour between) I started to cut down on the coffee and fluid intake, this solution did help on the frequency, but instead I was getting really bad headaches instead…due to dehydration I believe. So I had to increase my fluid intake again, this time though, without too much coffee - I still drink one or two cups of coffee during the morning - however the increase in fluid intake again resulted in my bladder going ballistic again – the volume each time was not excessive, and I tried to hold it in until it was appropiate to let go, which caused a lot of discomfort to my bladder – sometimes lately, the time between the urges was as low as 15-20 minutes inbetween.

There began to be a couple of minor leaks not every day, but frequent enough, so I started to treat by using a bit of toilet paper in my trousers – the leaks I did experience was only if I didn’t listen to my bladder and tried to hold it in for excess time, until I could reach the bathroom, usually even if I leaked it was only minor...it just released some of the pressure on my bladder but still annoying..I managed to keep it as a secret to everyone, even my wife since I was embarrassed of the situation – we had a son who’s four years old and just skipped his diapers at night too, and here I was, he’s father leaking urine like a small child.
However My wife found out of the paper in my trousers and the occasional wet spots, and suggested at first, that I used some of her inserts, which didn’t do much, but was better than paper anyway.
At first I resisted the need for something...and came up with numerous excuses...but she persisted that I should seek medical assistence.
My wife thought my situation was due to an UTI (Bladder infection) and said I should go to the doctor….I was reluctant to do that, since I was, and still are, embarrassed of the situation plus I didn't experience the symptoms of UTI....in which my wife described due to her experience with having to deal with UTI, however I couldn't relate to it, since I didn't feel any of the symptoms she described..

However after a while were things didn’t improve, I finally visited the doctor….which after a throughout examination of me for UTI, diabetes, prostate problems, and based on a two week diary concluded that I have OAB, he couldn’t say any reason, as my general health was fine, maybe a bit overweight but not much.

He suggested Kegel exercises in the beginning and a change in diet, I've always loved spicy food, and he's belief was my condition was due to my diet, now my health proved to be ok. – I did follow the excercises and change in diet for almost two months, but due to a stressful work I never exercised the Kegels enough…I did however change the diet (Still miss chilli), the urge persisted and even became more incriminating…then he suggested medication in order to expand the time between the urges , I never reacted too well on medication beforehand, neither painkillers and other medications, but I had to give it try.
The medications made me tired, dizzy, and I experienced that they affected my concentration also due to dizziness and nausea…so due to my work, I need to be on top as I'm supposed to be on top each day. I could't afford these complications from the medication although the medication did help a bit I was forced to quit…otherwise I was in fear of loosing my job.

Then I was suggested to visit an urological specialist - well actually my DR suggested that, when he could't find a mediacal reason for my problems - but back then I did have enough belief in him, that the things he suggested, would work out...however when my DR. started to describe the test I most likely would undergo - I hesitated, and ended up refusing to do so, also since my general health was ok, and I was getting sick and tired of the feeling of being a Guinea-pig. So I ended it all by saying that I didn’t want to participate any longer, I already got the diagnose OAB with no known cause, my health condition was ok etc. I dropped out, and since I already have learned to deal with my OAB before the diagnose. I could continue do so…but on my own terms.

After stopping medication the urges became more frequent again, and also stronger as time progressed (during the last two months) so here I am….using protection – but I learned to deal with it - the accidents I experience varies...sometimes / days there's none or only minor, and other days my bladder goes ballistic.

You might say I have chosen my situation myself to wear protection….which I can reply, no I didn’t! I just had to adapt to the situation and have learned to live with it - I still have a lot to learn, but I refuse to go through the medical system like an interesting example i.e. guinea-pig….I live in Denmark and the system here is quite rigid so is the numerous examinations.

Have anyone else who is diagnosed with OAB, experienced their OAB evolve from not only having minor / rare accidents to experience more frequent leaks and accidents. i.e. urge incontinence? I just need to know what to expect in the future…and if you found a "natural" way of keeping things at bay, I'd like to know.

I have urge incontinence, but my situation really isn't particularly similar to yours. My problem stems from an unexpected complication following surgery when I was 14 years old.

I'm responding to point out that it's very useful to view wearing protection as part of the solution instead of part of the problem. I went through a period of 20 years or so during which I could generally stay dry during the day if I controlled my fluid intake and was careful to use the toilet every couple of hours or so. However, about 25 years ago, my problem worsened, and I had to start wearing a diaper 24/7. I went through a very difficult period of trying to go without protection and having really embarrassing accidents and then struggling with minimal protection that sometimes wasn't up to doing the required job adequately. It took me longer than it should have, but eventually I realized that wearing a high-capacity diaper is the key to being able to go wherever I want to go and do whatever I want to do without having to worry about my problematic bladder. If you can get beyond thinking that a grown man shouldn't need to wear a diaper, you will likely find that wearing protection can be the key to worry-free peace of mind.

What I seem to have noticed since I developed OAB, is that my urine production somehow seems to have incrased....is this normal.
My doc. can't come up with an excat answer to this???

I tried taking notes on how much I drink during the day. I'm well within the boundaries of the suggested 65 oz per day,
I'm told that my intake is within normal range my weight and height taken into consideration...
but again usually I have the urge to go like every 30 minutes...sometimes there is a decent output, like 7-8 oz. which I have been told is quite normal...and other times it's only like 4 oz. usually when this occor I need to go more frequent, or at least, so it feels...of course I can't do exact measurements since I wear protection..and usually don't have the time to pull everything down my ankles and put up some sort of measurement device like a cup.

My intake and output of fluid does almost match in volume. Maybe a bit less output than intake…which might be explained by sweating and exhaling. This means that I produce like 60-62 oz of output on daily basis…

My diet consists of only two cups of coffee during the day…I know it’s diuretic but I just have to have some coffee despite it triggers my bladder which then decides to go ballistic.

I still remember the good old days when I could drink gallons of coffee during the day without any significant or frequent visits to the restroom. Now…oh boy if I tried this again I would have to sit in a bathtub all day….

I haven't officially been diagnosed with OAB but I am taking Vesicare as prescribed by my urologist for what he suspects is OAB. My symptoms matched yours almost exactly. I was going 15-18+ times per day and I was not drinking excessively, I don't drink coffee. I have now given up the infrequent soda I used to drink. I have cut my beer drinking in half....And I was still having all the symptoms. I was getting up in the night multiple times to go. Having small accidents all day and night.....finally I just started wearing diapers....It doesn't solve the problem but makes it easier to manage. The Vesicare is helping but I find I am also managing the side effects of that too. I don't know just yet if this is going to be a long term solution......I know the diapers probably aren't going anywhere anytime soon. Support from the wife is critical.....I am still working through the initial stages of this. I have had it for a couple months now......

I have similar issues and just recently came to accept that I am partially incontinent (I can hold back the flow if I really focus on contracting those muscles to make it to the bathroom)...all to frequently, like yourself. But that's a pain in the wherever! The frequency drove me nuts which I believe was caused by my not being able to totally void. My urologist prescribed Flomax, and my total voiding issues have been solved which helps reduce the frequency of having to pee. What it did not solve was my inability to hold it back for long. SO, now using external catheters during the day and fifty per cent at night with the other fifty per cent taken care of by those wonderful ConfiDry 24/7 diapers!

I wish you good fortune,

JAYTEE