Hello & Q about bladder symptom

[breaktheintranet]

Hi all,

I'm a guy in my mid 40's whose had problems with anxiety for as long as I can remember.

This has manifested itself as generalised & social anxiety, but most troublingly as health anxiety. I have a long history of "medical" complaints - which upon investigation have no cause other than anxiety. To cut a very long story short - I've not had an attack of this nature for a few years (though the "regular" anxiety goes on ...), but suddenly over the last week I've been suffering a very unnerving and uncomfortable symptom which is driving me to distraction.

As you'll guess from the thread title it's bladder related. Essentially I feel like like I constantly need to urinate, even 5 minutes after I go. There feels as if there's constant pressure on my bladder. I've been to the docs who sent me off for a blood test and there's a prostate exam next week - so I'm taking care of the medical side of things. Mean time I am struggling not to go into complete panic mode.

Given my history and the fact I've been under massive pressure recently (to the point of tears) I do realise that there is a strong likelihood this is anxiety related.

So I'm wandering whether anyone else has had anything like this before?

Any help appreciated!

Cheers

[Dahila]

Have you have your blood sugar checked?

[breaktheintranet]

Hi Dahila,

No I've not. Is that something I should be asking for?

Thanks

[JohnC]

Are you drinking a lot more than you usually do and therefore urinating more frequently? If so that would be a need to get your blood sugar checked as that is one of the symptoms of diabetes but then if you go to the bathroom and do not feel that you are completely emptying your bladder then the prostrate exam is necessary.

[breaktheintranet]

Hi JohnC, not drinking more than usual, prostate exam booked for Wednesday, so I'll hang in there until then. I'll mention the diabetes check though whilst I'm there.

Thanks for the reply.

[JohnC]

Good luck with that. You may just have an enlarged prostrate which is not uncommon. I too have one coming up :)

[breaktheintranet]

Thanks. Will post up what the outcome is. Good luck with yours too :)

[Dahila]

John explained it all :)
Maybe you have just overactive bladder, it often happens when people deal with anxiety.

[breaktheintranet]

I'm thinking that's the likely cause. But my brain will only accept medical tests as proof! :-)

[Dahila]

Yeah we are strange people, health anxiety is the most common. I think you will accept it for a time being, then found something else to worry. I know it from my long anxious life.

[breaktheintranet]

Too true. When I get a new symptom I inevitably obsess over it, which feeds the fear. These days I have a fair idea that if I've been under pressure then some sort of "event" is likely. But it always finds new ways to scare me! This is the first time I've actually joined a forum, despite having serious problems with anxiety for what seems like forever.

Not nice to know other people are also suffering, but there is comfort in knowing I'm not alone.

[Dahila]

joining the forum is not such bad idea, :)
All my life I felt lonely and had never talked to anyone beside my psychdoc about problem with anxiety. I am grandma and veteran of anxiety wars:) When I joined here, I met people like me, some of them, most of them are so young it is terrifying. First time in my life I was not alone:) We pay for easier life, with anxiety, we pay for speed of life, of always changing information. Our society is sick all of it. Right now there is no choice but go on. Health anxiety takes so much energy, which could be spend of being happy, and active.
Maybe you should read some stickies on general forum, there are some very interesting threads. I bet it will give you the idea how to deal with it:)

[breaktheintranet]

Will do :-)

[JohnC]

joining the forum is not such bad idea, :)
All my life I felt lonely and had never talked to anyone beside my psychdoc about problem with anxiety. I am grandma and veteran of anxiety wars:) When I joined here, I met people like me, some of them, most of them are so young it is terrifying. First time in my life I was not alone:) We pay for easier life, with anxiety, we pay for speed of life, of always changing information. Our society is sick all of it. Right now there is no choice but go on. Health anxiety takes so much energy, which could be spend of being happy, and active.
Maybe you should read some stickies on general forum, there are some very interesting threads. I bet it will give you the idea how to deal with it:)

Very well said Dahlia

[breaktheintranet]

So I went back to the docs today. The prostate blood test was negative, and prostatitis was also excluded as I didn't have the main identifying symptom. We had a chat regarding anxiety and concluded it was the likely cause. Drug therapy was mentioned but he offered an ultrasound (though it will take a couple of months to get an appointment) to help convince my mind there is nothing amiss. I think I've finally found a good doctor who knows how to reassure me without making me feel like a fool.

That said, the very uncomfortable symptom rumbles on for the time being. So I'm gritting my teeth and trying to get back to normal work etc. It's difficult to convince yourself to keep the faith that symptoms will go away when you're just dealing with the discomfort all day long. Plus not sleeping well. On top of that trying not to be too down so as not to affect family life is another pressure. Then there's the IBS and a bunch of other crap stuff..

Enough moaning anyway. I've been here before! Off to try and get some sleep now.

Take care all.

[JohnC]

Glad to here that your blood test all came back neg. i completely understand about the trying to keep the mind thinking positive especially when you still feel uncomfortable. Best of luck.

[breaktheintranet]

Thanks JohnC :)