Living with Overactive Bladder

Hi my name is Misty. I’m a 37 year old female. I’ve never been pregnant or had children but I do have an overactive bladder For about 5 or 6 years I have had frequent bladder urgency to the point that I would be at work and suddenly have to urinate and then start leaking before I could make it to the bathroom. There were even times that I would be walking down the street, feel the need to urinate and have to squat down to hold my urine before I could walk any further.

I was so embarrassed I quit doing the things I enjoyed the most for fear I would pee all over myself. I saw a urologist about 5 years ago who performed a urethral cauterization on me due to a “boggy” urethra. This was a very unpleasant experience especially the stretching of the urethra following the cauterization. But it didn’t help with urgency.

I lived with this for another 5 years and finally found a urogynecologist that diagnosed me with overactive bladder and prescribed oxytrol for me. I have never felt so much better about myself. It is amazing how much of a difference in my life this medication has made even in just a weeks time. I can now make it to the bathroom with no problem. I have my life back. I can walk the trails again. I can canoe and kayak and not be afraid that I will have to jump in the water before I am back to the camp.

If I can say anything to any other young woman that is going through this and is too embarrassed to say anything, please do go to your doctor and let them know. I now wish I had done it 5 years ago and had that much more time to enjoy my life.