A Glimpse Into the Mind of a Woman Living With an Overactive Bladder
At the age of 20 I was already suffering from an overactive bladder. No one could figure out why and certainly not the wack-a-doodle doctor who stuck her finger up my pee hole. I have no idea why either, but I can tell you it isn’t fun. Sometimes it’s once every couple of hours and sometimes its every 30 minutes. Road-trips are not easy and the aisle seat in airplanes are my best friend (though I love the window).
Over the years I’ve come to find my stupid bladder comical. Here are a few thoughts I have actually had/have with an overactive bladder:
Me before a flight
“I had better pee before I get on that plane.”….10 minutes later while boarding…” dang-int I have to go AGAIN! Should I hold it until I get on? No, I hate airline bathrooms. Ill just go again.” During takeoff: ” OMG I have to pee again.”
Me while glamping in Florida
“I wonder if I can wake up my boyfriend to drive me to a gas station when I have to pee in the middle of the night. I don’t want to use that camping toilet.“
Me while planing a road trip
“Ok, If I get up at 7am and pee, then drive 10 hours without eating or drinking anything, maybe I will only have to stop to pee a couple of times.“
Me while on the road trip
“I am so hungry….its only 1pm. I can keep driving. Maybe have a few sips of water and a few chips” …30 min later… “Omg I need to find a bathroom ASAP. WHY ARE THERE NO BATHROOMS HERE?! That gas station looks really creepy but it will have to do!“
Me while on a road trip with my boyfriend after actually eating and drinking
Me: “Can we please stop. I really have to pee.”
Him: “We were just at the restaurant 30 minutes ago.”
Me: “I know but I have to peeeeeeeeee!”
We Stop. 30 more minutes pass.
Me: “um…I have to pee.”
Him: “Stop drinking water!”
Me while on a hike
“Okay 30 minutes in and I have to pee like crazy. I shouldn’t have had that glass of water 2 hours ago. Where are the bushes? There are too many people! I have to find a place now. Ill just have to hike way off this trail…why did I come on this hike? Maybe if I just walk at a slower pace my bladder will calm down.“
Me at work
“I really hope no one has noticed that I’ve use the bathroom 8 times already today.“
Me while at any appointment ever
People: “Would you like a drink?”
Me: “No, Thank you.” In my head: “I’ll just have to pee.“
Me while at my first sonogram appointment while pregnant at an Army hospital
*Tried to hold my pee for hours, was dying, almost peed on the table
Sonogram person: “You were supposed to hold your pee. Your bladder is only half full.”
Me: “I did hold it. For hours!!!! I’m dying!”
Me while planning going out to eat on vacation
“I cannot go anywhere for 2 hours after I go out to eat.”
Me sometimes while running, biking, walking, sneezing, coughing, or jumping
“Welp…I just peed myself a little.” Better stop what I’m doing and make a beeline for the bathroom“
Well I hope that gave you a little comic relief. In all sincerity, If you are also suffering I have learned a couple things that help.
- Minimize dairy intake
- Drink water very slowly and in little sips.
- Avoid acidic food, caffeine and large amounts of alcohol.
- Plan ahead, and let your friends know so they don’t get annoyed. 🙂
