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[CLKD]

Treat the symptoms!  if it seems like continual water infections then ask for treatment for vaginal atrophy - SuziQ has a good thread here too!  My lower belly is irritable today so upping my fluid intake - no notification from our Surgery as to what will be prescribed instead of Ovestin pessaries 

[Hurdity]

Sarah - I know this is going off topic a bit but the metabolic effects of oral estrogen compared to transdermal are complex and I freely admit I know very little about it, and happy to be educated!

From what I read post-menopausal oestrogen increases the amount of HDL (good cholesterol) and reduces the amount of LDL (the bad type) thus lowering the risk of heart disease and this beneficial effect is more pronounced for oral oestrogen. - in this case the first-pass effect is good! The same article mentioned the increase in triglycerides on oral oestrogen, which are an independent risk factor for stroke.

Here is the link - for anyone interested - perhaps I should re-post onto the Stroke thread as it's nothing to do with bladders 

http://www.drmichaelgoodman.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Publications-J-Wom-Health-Are-all-estrogens-created-equal.pdf

Hurdity x

[Limpy]

It's a tremendous article Hurdity. Just glanced at now but will read fully when not;
1 Cooking evening meal
2 Drinking the amount of wine necessary to do said cooking 

[Rose]

Well from what I've read, I may change to patches. I was in so much pain and discomfort that I had to use Vagifem, although I am getting side effects such as headaches and feeling like I've taken too much caffine. I know that my hysterectomy, Taz has added to my overall discomfort, especially my bowel and they may have 'hit' my bladder in their goal to get to the uterus but I believe that I have two things going on; Vulvadynia and VA. At least with Vagifem that awful pain and urgency has gone. I went to visit my daughter and she couldn't believe how many times I needed the toilet which isn't easy to find in a big city like Melbourne. Has anyone else suffered side effects from Vagifem and if so, do they lessen after the 2 week loading period?

[Dizz]

Just thought I'd post an update.  Bladder problems cleared after a couple of days thankfully, not sure if it was an infection, just glad it went! 

So I've been for my check-up today and told the doc about the bladder problems and the occasional itchiness I'm also getting and she immediately suggested vaginal oestrogen.  I've gone for the Ovestin cream to begin with, will see how I get on with it. 

Hope everyone else who was suffering is also getting some relief, it's really horrible....

[CLKD]

It is horrible, the feeling of razor blades "up there"  .  well done your GP too!

[Judith57]

I am suffering so much with my bladder at the moment, I haven't been able to go to work today and haven't had a proper nights sleep in weeks. Just sitting typing this is agony. After 4 different courses of anti-biotics I have finally had a clear urine test but I am still in agony. I am frightened of leaving the house in case I have an 'accident'. I am on day 12 of the Vagifem two-week loading period but have not seen any relief. The burning, razor blade feeling in my vagina is also really difficult to deal with. I am so frightened. My partner is on his way down to stay with me as I am terrified of being on my own....God, this is awful!!

[Sarah2]

Hi there

Sorry you are in such a bad way
Can I suggest that you have a look at the website of the COB Foundation ( think it's .org but not sure.)

Sometimes infections can leave damage and one way to help the bladder heal is to treat it very gently by not drinking and eating certain things which might irritate a damaged and sore bladder lining.

I'm speaking from experience.

I'd suggest you drink nothing but water for a week or so- boiled to get rid of the chlorine, and avoid all spicy and acidic foods. There are lots of ideas on the website.

Take care.

[honeybun]

When I had my first child I had a C section. The surgeon who did the operation had a bit of an accident and left me with a two inch cut in my bladder. I had a catheter in for nine days which brings its own set of problems.
Eventually I saw a urologist who told me to drink drink drink. Water, no caffeine, no citrus fruits or juices, no alcohol. I had a very irritable bladder for a long while and was TT for quite a few years as my bladder could not cope with any alcohol.

Even 25 years on I am sometimes aware of a weakness and then I start to drink a lot.
Don't know if this is relevant but your bladder will react to what you eat and drink so a symptom diary may well help.


Honeyb
x

[CLKD]

Thanks both! bladder irritability can be draining    and socially it cuts our wings. 

[Hurdity]

Just to add that sometimes the initial loading period for Vagifem (two weeks) is extended to 3 or even 4 weeks if necessary - so maybe also check with your doc - to give your body as much help as possible to regenerate vaginal tissues.

Hurdity x

[Judith57]

Thank you for your advice everyone - I must have been for a wee about twenty times since this morning my poor bladder is worn out!

[CLKD]

Are you drinking plenty?  Do you pass much volume or is it more like a leak?  Give your GP a ring and tell them that the uptake seems slow and your symptoms remain severe, or have a chat with a Pharmacist: they have private rooms now for discussion 

 

[Sarah2]

Have you tried bicarb in water? quarter of a teaspoon in a glass of water- tepid better than icy cold- and this will help settle the bladder as it makes the urine less acidic. You can do this 3 x a day unless you have high blood pressure.

Don't drink tea, coffee, juices or anything except water for a few days.

[Taz2]

Hi Judith - I have forgotten what bladder tests you have had to date but I take it you have had a cystoscopy to check that everything is well with the bladder itself?

I think that you need to ask to be referred to the Continence Advisory Service - this does not mean you have to be incontinent but merely that you will be assessed and given advice on how to retrain your bladder. The bladder can become hypersensitive so that even a small amount of urine irritates. I had great help from them myself. I'm not sure where you are based but you may have something similar to this near you http://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/pdf/BHFT%20Bladder%20Retraining.pdf.

Also the bladder and bowel foundation may have useful links http://www.bladderandbowelfoundation.org/

Taz x