Posted by Bea on 23/5/2009, 9:02 pm, in reply to "First time user!"

Hi Sally. I'm sorry to hear of your problems! I hope you will take the advice others have given and talk to your GP. Don't worry if your GP has never heard of the problem - mine hadn't which wasn't comforting! But he referred me to a urologist who was very familiar with the condition. The thought of using catheters is daunting but it is much better for your health - retention for so long can cause more problems or so I've been told! After years and years (since about age 4/5) of problems 'going' I only went to the GP in the last few years. He said to go to A&E if in retention while i was on waiting list to see urologist. I went to the hospital after being in retention for a crazy amount of time and was catheterized there - they treated it as emergency and for quite a while after that I could not go at all without the aid of a catheter. Now things are better - due to less stress in my life - but also even though the catheters are not perfect it makes it easier to go just having the knowledge that they are there when i need them. I even flew to Japan recently without too much trouble! I am in a relationship now and my boyfriend has helped me by standing by the door or even in the bathroom while peeing so I am less anxious of people being close by! The more you are open about it I think the easier it gets. Wishing you well Bea

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