Posted by Loz on 8/3/2008, 12:47 pm

Hi, I've posted on the board before, briefly, but haven't visited for a while. I'm nearly 21 and I've suffered problems since I was about 14. Maybe even longer to be honest - I don't know what caused it, but even as a child I was never one of these kids who could just pee anywhere! I used to be pleased with my bladder control - now it's the biggest burden ever, as I'm sure you know! I'm lucky in that I don't suffer with this as much as others - when I was 14 I went through a very brief period of only being able to pee in a bathroom in a house, even then with limits (my ex boyfriend had no locks on any toilet doors in his house). However, I overcame this quickly, I don't know how, and I now have no problem in most - but not all - public toilets. My problem arises when it comes to toilets on planes, trains and the portaloos that you get at concert venues. Being 21 and a music lover who enjoys holidays, this is very frustrating. I don't see why I should rule out these activities just because of this condition. It really upsets me. but now I've decided not to. I've booked camping tickets for the V festival this year (the cleanest festival with the most toilets!) and my friend has asked me to go travelling with her next year. This gives me til August to "cure" myself with portaloos and a year with aeroplanes - which is by far the worst problem - where it all started when I was 14. I don't know how my attitude will come across - I know there is no "cure" and there's no way that it's a "mind over matter" issue - I'm sure anyone who's shared this problem with a person with a lack of understanding has been told that and become very angry - i know I have! I've heard that hypnotherapy is recommended, and if i don't feel that it's any beter by august I'll have to consider self catherisation at these times. It's the fear that gets me tho - like I'm scared to even go into one of these toilets because I know I'll have this problem. So therefore it takes over and dominates my thoughts, making excitement for a holiday, for example, far less exciting. If anyone could offer advice or suggestions, I'd be really grateful. It's already a comfort to know I'm not alone Loz

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