[RichieG]

I'm a 37 year old male and I've suffered with OAB for as long as I can remember and doctors have never been able to help with the problem. Bladder re-training appears to make matters worse with more frequent 'spazzing' of the bladder with little increase in volume despite determined effort. Although I can usually suppress the contraction and hold off urination for 2 to 3 hours, the volume is always below average (about 200ml).
I'm wondering how much effect the anxiety I've built up about this problem has, and whether some alternative treatments such as hypnotherapy might help. Have any of you tried this? and have you thought about the triggers that cause the bladder to contract?
My triggers appear to be: The thought of urinating, cold weather, running a tap, not being near or able to get to a toilet, often I get an immediate overwhelming urge as soon as I finish an absorbing/distracting task. The bladder contraction is slower to recede (if at all) if I lack the belief that it will. This all seems to suggest a pyschosomatic problem rather than a bladder function problem.
Can any of you relate to this and do you have any experience of treating the anxiety/stress rather than the bladder problem?
Any feedback would be appreciated.

[steve85]

Hey,

I've been having OAB problems too for awhile now. It's gotten really bad lately and my life has come to a stand still. I've had tests done and my urologist doesn't really know what else to do. I feel like I have to go almost all the time, but sometimes its worse. I feel like I'm going to lose control any second and there's nothing I can do. After I go to the bathroom, the feeling is still there... I'm taking Vesicare right now and I think sometimes it's made things a little bit better, but like you I'm pretty sure my problem has become psychosomatic. I worry so much about having to go all the time and that worrying seems to make things worse. I'd like to know too if anyone has had any success fighting the anxiety which could be related to this problem.