Navigating Bladder Control Challenges at Nearly 30
Hello everyone! I hope you're all doing great! I felt compelled to share my experience as I approach my 30th birthday this August. Lately, particularly since late last year and into this year, I've noticed some unsettling changes with my bladder control. It has reached a stage where I find myself packing at least one or two spare pairs of underwear and an extra pair of jeans in my work bag. It's quite embarrassing to admit, especially being a nearly 30-year-old woman, to feel like I am losing some control over my own body. As a married woman, my partner and I are happily focused on one another. We're currently not looking to start a family anytime soon, as we're focused on paying off our debts. Neither of us has children from previous relationships since we both embarked on this journey together as each other’s first. I'm quite satisfied with the life we’ve built, filled with our six cats and dog. However, the thought of possibly needing to rely on adult diapers really troubles me. To me, that's always seemed like a taboo associated with older adults in my community. I understand it’s 2025, and I hope there may be alternative solutions available. Additionally, I do live with ADHD and experience type 2 bipolar depression, which often leads me to overlook bodily signals, such as the need to relieve myself as I would sometimes dismiss the feeling altogether. I would genuinely appreciate any guidance or tips on how to manage this situation, as my goal is to regain control and avoid any further accidents.
Answers (1)
7/9/2025, 10:30:59 AM
OpenHealth AI
Thank you for sharing your experience. It's understandable to feel concerned about changes in bladder control, especially at your age. Let's address your situation with practical steps to help manage your symptoms and regain a sense of control.
Main Points:
-
Understanding Bladder Control Changes: Several factors can contribute to bladder control issues, including stress, hormonal changes, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and sometimes the impact of conditions like ADHD and bipolar depression.
-
Managing Symptoms: There are various strategies to help you manage this issue without resorting to products like adult diapers immediately.
Explanation:
Bladder control problems are more common than many realize, and they can stem from a variety of causes, including physical, emotional, or medication-related factors. Since you mentioned living with ADHD and bipolar depression, these conditions may affect your awareness of bodily cues, which can contribute to bladder control issues.
Actionable Next Steps:
-
Track Your Symptoms: Start a diary to note when accidents occur, what you were doing, and any preceding feelings or thoughts. This can help identify patterns or triggers, allowing you to manage your symptoms better.
-
Pelvic Floor Exercises: Consider practicing pelvic floor exercises, commonly known as Kegel exercises. These can strengthen the muscles that help control urination. Aim to do this a few times a day. You can find guided routines online or through apps designed for pelvic health.
-
Scheduled Bathroom Breaks: Create a routine to use the bathroom at regular intervals, such as every 2-3 hours. Setting reminders on your phone can help you pay attention to your body’s needs, potentially reducing urgency and accidents.
-
Limit Irritants: Pay attention to your diet and avoid irritants like caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods, which can aggravate bladder issues. Staying hydrated is important, but try to balance your fluid intake throughout the day.
-
Seek Support: Joining a support group can help normalize your experience and provide you with coping strategies. You might find comfort in hearing from others who have dealt with similar challenges.
-
Consult Professional Resources: Although you want to avoid unnecessary consultations, speaking with a urologist or women's health specialist can provide tailored solutions. They can offer advice specific to your medical history, including managing any underlying conditions.
Remember, you're not alone in this, and there are ways to regain control over your body. Take small steps, and don't hesitate to reach out for further help if you feel overwhelmed.
Related Questions
Neurological Challenges Mimicking POTS Symptoms
A 36-year-old female, weighing 265 pounds, is dealing with a complex medical history that includes conditions like Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), bipolar disorder, anxiety, PTSD, and a splenic artery aneurysm. There is a tentative diagnosis of hypertensive Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). The patient experiences significant symptoms when not on medication, including a rapid heartbeat (ranging from 117 to 150 beats per minute), dangerously high blood pressure, episodes of vision impairment, difficulty walking accompanied by stumbling and falls, tremors, memory issues, and brain fog. Currently, her medication regimen includes Pristiq, lithium, lorazepam, low-dose naltrexone for pain management, and propranolol to regulate heart rates. She takes ubrelvy when needed. In January, a recurrence of severe pain radiating from her right side led to a hospital admission where her gallbladder was surgically removed due to complications. Although the surgery was successful, she subsequently developed CRPS, further complicating her health. While working in the emergency department, she experienced a sharp tearing pain associated with her known aneurysm. Unable to manage the pain, she informed her manager of her need to leave. During her walk back to her workspace, approximately 1500 feet away, she began to stagger and lost her vision, while also experiencing heavy sweating and shortness of breath. Support from coworkers was crucial, as she lost her strength and collapsed, gasping for air and experiencing vertigo. Her heart rate was recorded at almost 150 bpm and her blood pressure at 152/120. Once lying down, her vitals stabilized but would escalate again with movement. The attending nurse suspected POTS based on her symptoms. Despite efforts to provide explanations, her overnight doctor attributed her condition to anxiety. However, subsequent doctors recognized her situation increasingly suggested POTS and put her on a heart monitor after she began falling to one side, which later confirmed episodes of tachycardia over a monitoring period of two to three days. Her first cardiology appointment revealed a drop in her blood pressure when she stood, further aligning with the POTS suspicion. An echocardiogram was scheduled for the following week, but complications arose the very next morning at work, where rising distress prompted coworkers to assist her following an apparent episode of tachycardia. Administered Ativan temporarily helped alleviate some symptoms, but as her condition worsened, she was transported to the emergency department once again. After several hours of treatment, she was discharged with little clarity regarding her condition. Currently, she takes an extended-release dose of propranolol (80 mg), but without it, her heart rate can exceed 130 bpm, accompanied by memory lapses. Episodes of sporadic vision loss persist, alongside difficulty walking that has progressed to staggering or being unable to move at all, leading to falls. These occurrences are thought to be related to syncope. Neurological evaluations are underway, with initial tests like ECG and EEG returning normal results, but an MRI suggested increased intracranial pressure, though some specialists doubt its relevance. A pain specialist indicated that her pain conditions may not directly correlate but suggested central nervous system dysfunction related to stress could be a factor, as her symptoms often intensify during anxious moments. An Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist found no abnormalities causing her symptoms, and her cardiologist is pursuing further investigation at a specialized clinic, expressing concern about her ongoing employment due to the physical and financial strain it entails. The patient’s aneurysm was treated with an embolism in September, adding another layer to her intricate medical profile, and she is seeking additional perspectives on her challenging situation.
Understanding Prolapsed Appendix in Young Adults
Hello all, I’m a 25-year-old woman who has been struggling with persistent abdominal discomfort, along with nausea and diarrhea, for more than a decade. A recent colonoscopy has diagnosed me with a prolapsed appendix, despite the fact that my colon appears unaffected. Biopsy samples were collected to investigate potential inflammation, and I am currently awaiting those results. Additionally, I have a balloon enteroscopy scheduled to examine my small intestine more closely. From my research, it seems that appendiceal prolapse or intussusception is quite uncommon in adults. I am particularly interested in understanding how rare this issue truly is, especially for someone at my age, along with the typical causes that could lead to this condition. I have a few queries: How uncommon is a prolapsed appendix in adult patients? What are the most frequent causes linked to young women like myself? Are there specific risk factors or trends that might increase the likelihood of developing this issue? I’m not seeking a personal assessment, but I would be grateful for any information from those who are familiar with the occurrence and causes of this condition.
Unusual Urges to Consume Non-Food Items
At 23 years old, I am contending with various health issues, including anemia (with an iron saturation of 6%), and I’ve read that this might be influencing my bizarre cravings. There’s more going on with my health, but delving into all of it would take quite a while. Recently, I stumbled upon a video showcasing cleaning techniques, and I experienced an intense and unexpected hunger when I witnessed the soap lathering. Despite having dinner afterward, my cravings persisted, and regular food has proven ineffective at satisfying my appetite. To provide some background, I also have bipolar II disorder, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, and generalized anxiety disorder. These peculiar cravings appeared following several stressful experiences in my life. In the past, I was compelled to induce vomiting due to an OCD ritual, which I believed was linked to avoiding “bad luck.” Logically, I understood that there was no connection, but at one point, I was so entangled in these thoughts that I restricted my food intake entirely, convinced that eating brought misfortune. I was also unmedicated during that challenging period. Fortunately, I managed to break those cycles a few years ago, but now I face an ongoing struggle with overwhelming hunger. I find myself in the obese category today, unlike previously, and I am actively pursuing options for gastric bypass surgery due to my incessant appetite. Although I feel confident I won’t actually consume soap, I am concerned that sharing these cravings might jeopardize my chances of qualifying for the procedure. Still, if there’s a viable solution, I’d like to discover it. These cravings don’t dominate my thoughts, yet whenever I come across soap—either in videos or in person—I get this overwhelming desire to consume it. It’s as if I believe that succumbing to this urge would somehow provide relief and satisfaction. I’ve made a conscious effort to limit my viewing of such cleaning videos but find myself tempted to order edible chalk to see if that might alleviate my unusual hunger.
Are My Symptoms Indicating an Impending Stroke?
I’m a young adult female, weighing 99 pounds and standing 5 feet 2 inches tall. I do not smoke, vape, or consume alcohol, and currently, I am undergoing tests for POTS and HEDS. For the past two weeks, I have been experiencing intermittent discomfort in the upper region of my head, particularly in the back and temples. These aren’t typical headaches, but rather sudden twinges of pain that occur sporadically throughout the day. Additionally, over this same period, I have been dealing with bouts of vertigo—probably about 4 to 5 days where it came and went. A few days back, I also encountered a tingling sensation in my arms, which I can’t tell if it was simply due to anxiety. Given that my aunt suffered a stroke in her thirties, the prospect of having a stroke terrifies me. I find that the emergency room here primarily prescribes pain medication if you mention head discomfort, which leaves me uncertain about what steps to take next. Could these symptoms signal an impending stroke? Furthermore, I've also been experiencing pain in my left leg, though I’m unsure if that’s connected to my other symptoms.
Impact of Tegretol Overdose at Age 7
As a woman now in her late thirties, I reflect back on a significant event from my childhood. At just seven years old, I accidentally ingested a large quantity of Tegretol, a medication prescribed to my brother for his epilepsy. Without realizing the danger, I swallowed a handful of those pills and fell asleep on the couch next to my mother. To my surprise, I regained consciousness a week later in a hospital bed. My mother recounted that I had suffered a seizure, at which point she found herself unable to awaken me, leading to a state of coma. Once I awoke, the emotional shift was profound; I transitioned from sadness to experiencing a tumultuous range of feelings. I am now curious about how such an overdose could have impacted my brain function. I attempted to search online for insights but came up empty-handed. Any information or shared experiences related to brain effects from similar situations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!