Stress Center Peer Support

I'd appreciate a little pep talk today- it's always a great thing when you feel a little "bump" in the road, and our "should" behaviors like to tell us we should't be having growth spurts!

I've had some bladder problems the past few weeks, which I wrote about earlier and it actually ended up being a bladder infection when the results came back. However, I think most of the symptoms we exasperated by my anxiety, not the infection- I took all of the doses of antibiotics and the symptoms got minorly better, but not much.

I do notice that when I'm not anxious on the bladder thing, checking in every two seconds, that the symptoms pretty much disappear completely- at least most of thew ay- which is why I'm doubtful the infection didn't clear up- I have no other signs of a UTI (no burning, no pain, just frequency) and frequency is a big side effect of anxiety.

So my point- I know that it is worse when I focus on it and get anxious, but I have hard times letting myself feel the discomfort and not wanting to run to the bathroom every half hour. I'm not scared it's cancer, or a big life-altering disease- just purely am resisting the discomfort of having to go to the bathroom- which makes me feel like I have to go all the time!

My big triggers have always been things that make my life restless, uncomfortable, without joy- and I can't relax or sleep well when I'm constantly checking in to see if I have to go to the bathroom- which then I always do just because ANY feeling is magnified by my focus on it. Any suggestions?

I know in time this will pass. Maybe I just need to be more patient with myself- but then how do I get through the uncomfortable feelings?

Dear Sunny, You might as well relax and allow it to be, if you go to the bathroom every half hour then so be it, its not the end or the world and in fact make it interesting, tell yourself every time you go in there you have to do something to pick yourself up a bit, one time brush your teeth, next brush your hair, maybe a nice hot bath etc, just pamper and pee, pamper and pee, haha. Then relax, with a good book or a funny show, you sound like you need some real me time. So indulge a bit and go to the bathroom as often as you like. By allowing and also slowing down your walking and your movements, you will soon feel much better and not need to go to the bathroom so often. Have a very blessed evening.

Thank you for that reply- that was some great advice I will pamper myself a bit more and enjoy my trips to the bathroom haha..thank you..

Hey Sunny! I agree with Deb. Don't be afraid to go to the bathroom every half hour if you need too. If you relax and just let it happen then you may not feel the urge to go as often. Also, if it doesn't help, try keeping yourself buisy around the house. You may not think about it every half hour then. Also, certain kinds of beverages make you have to go more too. So drink things that are healthy for your body and don't have caffine or sugar. This used to affect me when I was a teenager. I hope this helps,

Katie

Hey Sunny,
Deb got some great advice there just to allow it to be. I know when I have pain I do the same thing the more we think about it the bigger it becomes it's a vicious cycle hang in there and you will notice that you forget you had that symptom it does that for me when I have my attention somewhere else I feel the symptoms are way worse.

Keep enjoying those extra trips to the bathroom and everything will be fine

I love "Pamper and Pee, Pamper and Pee..."


I agree, go when you have to and remember that you are okay, and you are getting better every day.

Hope you are feeling better soon!

I actually have a bladder condition that does make me feel like I have to go alot, when I don't have to. I used to lead a support group and I have learned things that help relax those muscles:

Something that helps with that feeling at night is to sleep with a heating pad on your bladder. The heat relaxes the area and has worked well for me for years. Also, sleep with a pillow between your legs on your side, or under knees if laying on your back. It allows those muscles to relax.

Your bladder can still be inflammed after an infection. Even though the bacteria are gone, the tissue is still inflammed. So, allow some time to let it heal. Also, try eating some Tums. This will actually buffer the acid in your urine.

Hope you are feeling better soon.

Wonderful! Thanks everyone for the replies- I also love Pamper and Pee haha I will now laugh and say that to myself and change the way I approach the bathroom!

It does get better as anxiety gets better, just as everyone knows in "those moments" where you get a little stuck in your head you tend to forget that. I've always had a sensitive bladder from day 1 so it just gets worse with more focus.

Thank you!! Take care everyone!