Bizarre Nerve Phenomenon
Hello! A friend suggested I reach out here. I have an unusual question, and while it might sound a bit comical, I'm serious about it. I’m a 34-year-old female, Caucasian, standing at 5'9" and weighing 330 pounds. I’m currently prescribed citalopram to manage anxiety. I don’t smoke or consume alcohol, but I do take CBD edibles. Additionally, I have undergone gastric sleeve surgery and have had my gallbladder removed. I reside in Canada. There’s something I hope to clarify regarding my body. Like most people, I find myself scratching my back occasionally. However, over the past five or six years, I’ve experienced a strange reaction: whenever I scratch or lightly brush the area at the top of my buttocks, it triggers an uncontrollable urge to urinate. It feels almost like someone is turning on a faucet. Does anyone have insight into this phenomenon?
Answers (1)
8/15/2025, 1:02:16 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing an unusual reaction to scratching a specific area of your body, which is leading to a strong urge to urinate. This phenomenon may be related to nerve pathways that are influenced by that scratching motion, and while it may feel strange, there are explanations rooted in how our nervous system works.
Explanation:
The sensation you are describing could involve a phenomenon known as "visceral reflexes," where a stimulus (like scratching) activates the nerves connected to both the skin and the bladder. The nerves in that area of your back may share connections with those that control bladder function. It's not uncommon for sensations in one area of the body to trigger responses in another.
Priority Next Steps:
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Monitor Frequency and Triggers: Keep a note of when this happens—how often it occurs and under what circumstances. Tracking these patterns can provide insight into any potential triggers.
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Gentle Adjustment: When you feel the urge coming on, try to stop scratching immediately or change the area you are scratching to see if the response still occurs. This can help determine if the sensation is specifically linked to the top of your buttocks.
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Hydration Awareness: Ensure that you stay well-hydrated throughout the day. Sometimes, urge incontinence can be exacerbated by dehydration or overly concentrated urine.
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Consult Resources: If this symptom persists or worsens, consider reaching out to a healthcare professional for a more detailed evaluation. Given your history of gastric surgery and existing medications, it might be worthwhile to discuss any potential connections with your healthcare provider, especially concerning nerve sensitivity.
If you have more questions or need clarification on any specific aspect, feel free to ask!
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