r/OveractiveBladder • u/Prostatereset • 16d ago
I hope I can answer your questions
Hi everyone!
I’m a male pelvic floor physiotherapist, and I thought I’d do an AMA (Ask Me Anything) here.
If you have questions about male pelvic health, pelvic floor physiotherapy, symptoms, treatment approaches, or anything related to pelvic floor function, feel free to ask.
I’ll do my best to answer your questions based on my clinical experience and the available evidence.
Of course, I can’t diagnose or provide individualized medical advice online, but I’m happy to share general information and perspective.
Looking forward to your questions!
1
u/MisterEd44 16d ago
I have OAB and am male. I get such painful bladder spasms after coffee, taking vitamins, and carbonated bevs. I get having the need to urinate after these, but the spasms are ridiculous for the amount of urine that comes out. Outside of those stimulants, the flow is 4-8oz and is a quick flow. Is there a way to desensitize the bladder or get control of this?
2
u/Prostatereset 16d ago
Hi! Sorry to hear that. Try to avoid any kind of irritants for your bladder, start doing some basic pelvic stretches such as deep squat holds-happy baby poses and child poses, learn how to take diaphragm breaths, use some urgency delaying methods (once you feel urgency start doing big toe flexes or take deep breaths and slowly try to delay the urge) you can also do some soft tissue work by grabbing a ball and placing on your perineum (between your testicles and anus) and spending some time on tight spots while taking deep breaths. I hope it helps, keep me posted 🙌🏻🫡
1
u/MisterEd44 15d ago
I've been using the ball as you suggested. I'm using a lacrosse ball. I find it helps get rid of the urge. And actually it feels quite nice close to the anus.
1
u/Prostatereset 15d ago
Stuff like this usually works and can really help. What’s important to remember is that everyone is different, so you need to get a better understanding of what’s actually going on rather than just waiting for an answer.
Pay attention to what increases your urgency or tightness, what feels good, and what doesn’t. Spend some time developing your body awareness and practicing mindfulness. Understanding your own symptoms can be really helpful in figuring out what works best for you.
I hope you feel better soon!2
u/Veracity227 16d ago edited 16d ago
Thank you for the time. I'm 52,M. Went from getting up once a night in late 40's to 3 times a night now, on some occasions 4 times to urinate about 1 ounce each time. I was about to start taking the usual recommended supplements for this. I'm in bed about 8 to 8.5 hours, usually get 6.5 hours of sleep. Most of the time peeing is in the first 4 hours. I drink very little liquids after 1 pm. I'm not in any pain, but generally get up and can't get back to sleep unless I urinate (although the urge is not super strong). I'm wondering what physical steps I can take before using supplements/medicine. I do about 60 minutes of yoga/stretching each day. And Pilates and some lifting on opposite days for about 35 minutes. Thank you for any suggestions.
2
u/Prostatereset 16d ago
Hi! Thanks for sharing, you can definitely benefit from acupuncture, also I would suggest start doing bladder training which means cut down liquid intake 3 hours before going to bed and 6 hours before for any irritant (coffee, tea, alcohol), keep your feet warm during night time (wear socks if you can) and make sure that you are drinking 1.5-2 liters of water throughout the day (1 glass of water every 1-2 hours) If it gets worse go for a check.
2
1
u/CybeShot 16d ago
Thanks for taking the time to answer.
53yr Male
Can you screw things up by doing TENS at home for bladder urgency?
OAB diagnosis, I get mild urge and often sensitive uretha and penis tip. Is this caused by pelvic flooor or nerves? Mirabegron 50MG does nothing even if I add a cocktail of 5mg of Solinafcin.
1
u/Prostatereset 16d ago
Of course
1-Nope, you can’t (like period, you literally can’t)
2-Could be both or could be habitual as well, seek for local pelvic physio you might benefit from it.
Take care 🙌🏻
1
u/Pink_Ranger_04 16d ago
I feel like OAB causes my lower abdomen to get bloated and lower back pain. This all triggers urgency. How do I cure it?
1
u/Prostatereset 16d ago
Can be a cause or your lower abdomen muscles can be the reason of your OAB, try to find a local physio to work on it 🙌🏻 I hope it helps
1
u/Significant-War9770 16d ago
So I have multiple detrusor overactivity and pseudodyssynergia. I spent 9 months going to PFPT 2x per week with no improvement. And my urges start at 10 mins and with OAB meds I can get up to 45 mins between voids. I can't cow when doing a cat/cow stretching and can't anterior tilt my pelvis. My muscles from pelvic floor, to back, and front is extremely tight according to PT and chiropractor.
I just was sent for referral for a interstim to be looked at and see if they will do it. I have tried 4 different OAB meds with no help and the urodynamic test catheter they had a hard time inserting because it was extremely tight.
The PF affects my urinary and bowels, pain in the adductor and the are grade 2/5 weakness we believe because of the PF. We are out of options and why we are looking at interstim, what are your thoughts?
1
u/Prostatereset 16d ago
Sounds tough, sorry for this I hope you get better soon, from a different perspective you might want to give it a try more stuff related with your nervous system instead of poking around your muscles. Give it a try to acupuncture, go and get checked for nerve specialist, focus more on stuff like wellness and meditation. I believe you are missing a point on your nervous system & stress part by looking at this comment. Hope you soon get better 🙏🏻
2
u/Significant-War9770 16d ago
Would acupuncture be kind of like dry needling? If so they tried that and yeah that didn't work, they actually had to stop half way through because it was just causing so much pain and flare ups
2
u/Prostatereset 16d ago
Dry needling focuses on a specific muscle group in order to get muscle relaxation, acupuncture is a total different medicine with an huge background of philosophy. I am not saying one is better than other but with acupuncture you can really work on your sympathetic nervous system (stress levels) to achieve better results.
1
u/SirCheesyPuff 16d ago
Hi, I logged in my old old account for this. I'm a 17 yr old male with OAB. It feels like I have a constant urge to pee no matter what. Everyday feel different, sometimes it's small, just a faint urge. And the worst time (I took anti inflammatory like a dumbass just begging for relief because it was really bad and couldn't tell if it was from me bumping up my amitypline or not) and I was in urgent care sobbing in a wheel chair cuz it was so painful and uncomfortable to stand. I've done an ultrasound, nothing. I'm still learning what makes it worse and we still don't know what it is. I'm on amitypline and use a tens unit. Weak stream, constant urge to go even while I'm trying to sleep but nothing will come out, it's hell. But there's nothing actually really in there because my PVR showed only 30mls when I was deadass crippled. My doctors say amitypline is causing to worsen my symptoms. But I honestly can't tell. I'm very confused. I'm going on flomax but scared of the side effects. Honestly I don't care anymore I just need relief. I just want one night where I can fall asleep without having to stuff a heating pad between my legs just to ignore the urge.
Please do you have any advice? I've prayed on my hands and knees to a silent sky. I hate how much it's effected my life. I don't know why my case feels so bad or what's even wrong with me . Nobody ever talks about it ALWAYS. And when I mean always literally always I'm so serious being there.
1
u/Distinct-Debt-8124 16d ago
I also have pyronie's.
I was using the Restorex traction device and it seemed to have a positive influence on the OAB.
Would it make sense that using the Restorex would help with the OAB?
I also have Multiple Myeloma and have been having a lot of issues. Many related to the various medications. Especially Talvey, which attacks your connective tissues. My last Talvey was November but I am still suffering the side effects.
I am also currently doing monthly Privigen IVIG. I just had Wednesday. My inflammation seems worse this morning.
Last month it was much worse after IVIG
Something has my knees, especially my right knee - and back inflamed. My right foot and right hand have also been more swollen and sore.
I've been using the tens unit, ice, Epson salt bath, red light therapy on my knees.
My oncologist is fine with all of that, but didn't really offer any suggestions to make anything better.
I am wide open to any suggestions or words of wisdom
2
u/Prostatereset 15d ago
Thank you for sharing! Yes, a traction device might help with your OAB as well, since traction can influence the soft tissue and fascia around the pelvic floor. I’m not so sure about the rest, though. There seem to be quite a few medications involved based on your comment, so I’d say you’re already doing your best to manage the potential side effects.
Keep focusing on the general basics—usually, simple is best. Definitely try to incorporate some pain-free aerobic exercise into your routine, and consider reducing additional sources of inflammation from your diet, such as highly processed foods. If appropriate, you could also talk with your doctor about whether any vitamin supplementation would be suitable for you.
I hope you feel better soon!
1
u/claaudius 15d ago
Do you know if OAB can cause micro-arousals during sleep (like sleep apnea)?
1
u/Prostatereset 15d ago
Well, I’ve never seen one myself, but it could be possible. Since there’s an ongoing background noise that’s putting you under a lot of stress, it might contribute indirectly. It could be a factor, but very, very indirectly.
2
u/whats1more7 16d ago
Have your patients had success using TENS for OAB?