Holding it makes me feel better

[heybrej]

I know this is the exact OPPOSITE issue that most ICers have. Since this latest rebound of IC, frequency isn't really an issue. I hold it until I feel like I really should go and I've measured a few times. It's about 1 1/2 cups of urine during the day or 2 cups first thing in the morning when I wake up.

It's 7pm and I haven't urinated since 8am this morning. Yes, almost 12 hours, and I still don't feel like I have to go all that badly. I had a fairly large glass of mint tea with breakfast about close to 2 bottles of water today at a friend's party. I just drank and Ensure and am working on another bottle of water. I was out in the heat all day, so maybe I sweat off a lot of my liquids?

The weird thing is, my symtoms seem to improve the longer I go between urinating. The pain is the WORST when I urinate when I "don't really have to go", like if I try to go before bed even if I don't have an urge....instant bladder spasms and discomfort along with mild urethral burning. That will last for 2-3 hours and then it seems like it slowly fades away. So, as you can imagine, I try to not uninate very often, but I also don't want to dehydrate myself

Is this totally weird? Is there anyone else who can hold it this long? I don't feel like I have to go....so it it still "bad" that I'm holding it this long? It's not like I'm fighting an urge. The urge just isn't there.

[valkay18]

I do think it is a little strange that you don't have to go for so many hours, but in terms of what you said about pain being much worse if you urinate when you don't truly have to go (like before bed), I have the exact same problem. I hold my urine for as long as I can, even when the urge is there because I know the pain is so much worse for me after urinating. It's really, really bad if I make myself go when I don't really have to. The longest I have been able to hold it was from 5:45 AM to 2 PM.

Anyway, hope things get better for you soon! (Me too, lol!!)

[Claire_A]

I get the same thing, if I don't need to go and I just have a slight urge, I will get a bladder spasm when I do go. But if I hold it untill I feel like I am full It doesnt hurt. On the other hand if I hold it too long I get retention so It's a guessing game...I only get it right occasionaly!