Anxiety? 'contract your lower abdomen, pinching your bladder?
Posted , 3 users are following.
This can definitely make you feel you have the urge to urinate. I do it when I'm anxious - first thing in the morning, or rushing through something I don't want to do.
Subconsciously, I just retract or contract my whole urogenital area in anxiety - this causes me to feel I have to pee asap and it causes burning which, I'm pretty sure, the contracting or "pinching" creates a lot of inflammation down there.
0 likes, 10 replies
owen86568 ro77360
Posted
Hi, I went through the exact same thing. Anxiety can cause exactly what your describing.
A lot of urologists I saw thought it was a infection and there is a lot of misdiagnosis but I finally went to a physical therapist who has been helping me immensely.
They explained that sometimes your pelvic floor muscle can become too tight due to stress and its actually a really common problem with young people. Look up pelvic floor stretches and try to do really deep stretches before you go to bed. It helps me immensely to do keegles. Try clenching on your exhale and upon inhale unclench completely 3 sets of that a day total. Childs pose, and yoga helps too. It seems really dumb and overall a simple fix but keep at it religiously for 2 months and you are bound to see improvement very fast.
It just takes time! You are not alone, you are not going crazy! It is a real problem that should void your attention. 😃
ro77360 owen86568
Posted
Wow - thank you so much.
Its such a relief to hear from another "contractor" - I felt as if I was the only person in the world gong through this misery.
Did yours go on and off like mine does?
As I said if I'm relaxed (think merlot...) LOL - I am fine but any tense activity will get me "pinching" again.
I am copying your kind response and 'going to print and use it for tomorrow and every day..
Thank you!
ann55375 owen86568
Posted
i have frequency, early morning, but gets better in day. i have had uti infection a couple of times and had antibiotics. trouble is though i am infection free i still get low pelvic ache which wakes me. i take panadol then sleep,again. its there in the day and although manageable, very annoying. i have anxiety disorder. is a physical therapist in usa? I dont know if we have them in uk. urologist wants to start poking round with scope and doing other things but i dont think i need all that as i have no bleeding or pain on urination. just feels irritable. some say do not do kegels others say do, i am not sure what to do.
owen86568 ann55375
Posted
I would recommend trying what I posted. I am based in the US and even then its hard to find insurance that covers physical therapy. Individuals say don't do keegles because in some cases, your muscles are already tense and if you have a hard time completely relaxing it can put even more strain and tension making matters worse. That's why I suggested breathing it takes your mind off and focuses it elsewhere.
Also– if you have had UTI's before and your having problems with your pelvic floor cut out ALL acidic and bladder irritants from your diet while your doing these exercises and heal. That means coffee etc.
A lot of people also assume that if you have a UTI you should be drinking many cups of water at once. This shouldn't be the case. Pace out your intake of fluids. If you have frequency only go to the bathroom every 3 HOURS. It will help fight the battle on another front.
Best of luck! xx
owen86568 ro77360
Posted
No worries! I hope things get better for you!
Yes, mine does go on and off, but as I have started to do more stretches I think I am seeing the issue subside, every case is extremely temperamental.
When you mention you get this reaction when doing strenuous activities that sounds like a sheer sign that you have tightening of your pelvic floor. Try doing really deep stretches (the ones that hurt) and do short fast keegles as you get flare ups. Its all about retraining that muscles strength again.
If you have frequency try holding it and going to the bathroom ONLY every three hours. As I mentioned in the other individual who posted on this thread, make sure you aren't just drinking A LOT of fluids but they are evenly spaced out through out your day this will help make matters better
Best,
O
ro77360 owen86568
Posted
Its worse as the day begins so I know it has much to do with anxiety.
Better after yoga which I do everyday at noon then I run for an hour at 4 PM and its better after that.
it doesn't really start to improve until night time when I feel safe. I much prefer night to day.
Thanks again for your kind help.
P.S. Are you a man or a woman?
PPS - I'm an old hand at bladder re-training. Currently going every 3-4 hours.
ro77360 owen86568
Posted
Ooops I missed this informative reply.
I'm all about acidic urine and foods (and stress) that cause same. I do a PH reading everytime I pee.
I've become obsessed with my whole urogenital activities.
Ugh!
I read that people with bladder problems shoud drink 1/3 cup of water every half an hour - to space it out and not overwhelm the poor thing!
ro77360 ann55375
Posted
Did you say if you checked out the IC angle?
When I hear pelvic pain that's the first thing that comes to mind - I guess as I have had it myself. For me it was the main symptom along with the urinary urgency and burning.
ann55375 ro77360
Posted
yes suggested it to gp who said as no burning we should wait to see if it settles before cystoscopy as it can make things worse
ann55375 owen86568
Posted
thanks for helpful info. i have just had a day of pain, relieved by bowel movement, followed by a night of nocturia, eight times up. i am on valium. i dont know why im going all night then settles in day when i drink only water