Atonic Bladder?

Don't have any info, but you certainly have all my sympathy and good wishes - what a darned nuisance for you.

Same as Lucky, I don't really have any info but truly sympathise and hope you get some answers from others on the site. It does sound as though you need to discuss it thoroughly with a consultant and unless you are completely satisfied with the answers, maybe get a second opinion. I wish you well as my bladder isn't quite as reliable as it used to be so I can slightly understand how debilitating it must be for you.

Thanks both of you - much appreciated. I am fine really - there are a lot of people worse off than me. It is just a bind having to self-catheterise several times a day and then disposal of the used catheters can be tricky when out and about.
One word of warning - when I first started experiencing the 'leakage' problems I was prescribed Oxybutenin tablets. Initially the effect was brilliant but as the symptoms returned the dose was 'upped' and it seems that if it is 'upped' too much the bladder learns that it doesn't have to behave itself as the tablets will do it!
Apparently Oxybutenin is the normal medication for these problems but just a word of warning - don't let your GP up the dose too much!!!

four thank you for your comments. I am sorry you have such a problem but it is so kind of you to try and warn others. As we get older, many of us seem to have bladder problems but I have never heard of the condition you describe. I do hope something can be done to help you soon

Hi Has anyone suggested double voiding. Sit on the loo and wee normally, then when you think you have finished, stand up for about 20 -30 seconds, then sit down on the loo again and relax, you will be surprised how much more urine you can pass. if it helps lean forward resting your arms on your thighs.

Yes this does work Claudia, since my bowel resection I have to do this as there is always some left in the bladder.

Thanks Claudia and harrigran - I am willing to try anything obviously and had never heard of double voiding so will give it a try each time I go today!
So sorry to hear of your problems harrigran - I wish you well

I don't normally have leakage problems, but I do have the problem where there's always some urine left in my bladder after I feel that I've emptied it. I recently had to go through a flow assessment at the hospital which involved arriving with a full bladder, then emptying it and having a scan to see if it was indeed empty. I spent about 3 hours there, weeing, being scanned, waiting, weeing again, being scanned and so on. I was told that I shouldn't 'give in' to the signals that I need to go, because I never pass much each time. So I should wait as long as possible before going, because according to the nurse at the clinic my bladder has probably shrunk due to me never letting it store much! Not easy to ignore though - I've tried waiting and then I have indeed ended up with leakage!
And yes, I do usually use the 'double void' technique, but this still doesn't seem to completely void my bladder
I'm going back to the clinic shortly to be shown how to catheterise - I'm not looking forward to that I have to say

This sounds awful. I do feel for you. Isn't there any medication for this? An infusion of nettles is what would usually be recommended here in Germany as a diuretic, but I expect you need something stronger than that.

Indinana I have PMd you but I want to thank everyone who has responded with such lovely supportive comments. Hopefully I will get somewhere and if I find a magical cure I will let you all know!
The nettle infusion sounds interesting but I don't think I need a diuretic as I seem to have too much wee whereas poor Indi seems to have the opposite bless her.
We will persevere - onwards and upwards as they say!!! and that's just the catheter!!!

fourormore you have my sympathy. After surgery many years ago, I ended up needing my bladder to be "retrained" because it had "lost tone" because I was catheterised (can't remember how long now). It came right but I will never take having a wee for granted, ever again.

Also, I went to a "pelvic floor health" workshop recently and the specialist physiotherapist converted us all to squatting on the loo (knees must be higher than waist) with the help of a footstool like the one in the link below, apparently the Western way of sitting down is unhealthy. Re having a pee, she told us never, ever, to "hover" e.g. in public loos.

This website says:

#4: Urinary Difficulty/Infections
Urinary flow is usually stronger and easier when women squat to urinate. The bladder is emptied more completely when squatting rather than sitting or “hovering”.

wellnessmama.com/7013/squatty-potty-review/

All the best.

I have developed a leakage problem. It got worse when I had a really bad winter cough, that was a battle, and has eased somewhat as the cough got bettr. But the urge comes really quickly after the signal, Or rather sometimes I barely have time to make it to the loo once I get the signal.

Of course, then comes the 'go just in case' and 'never pass a toilet' which is the wrong thing to do.

I now often use the Always Discreet, with an extra one in my handbag. And many times have been very glad to have it.

I had never heard before of self cathetering.
And I certainly couldn't squat to pee - my knees wouldn't let me !!

coolgran that's what the stool is for! I explained it badly - you don't actually squat.

I have found that rocking gently backwards and forwards after you feel you have finished will enable more urine to be dispelled I was shown this by my urology nurse a few years ago and it certainly works, the bladder tilts slightly backwards hence urine being left in the bladder, since I have had botox to the neck of my bladder the sudden urge problem has been solved I go for this every 9/12 months and it works very well for me.

Thanks Glammanana, many apologies, I have been 'off line' for a few days hence lack of response.
I have been doing the rocking motion for some time as initially it was suspected that there was a 'mass' in my abdomen that was restricting the flow of urine. Leaning one way or another often drained more urine.
Thankfully, the 'mass' felt by my GP was just bladder and then I started on the catheter road.
I should hear within the next few weeks but in the meantime I will persevere.
Thanks to all who have either described their problems or offered advice - any suggestions are gratefully received!