Acupuncture for frequent urination ???

[daisyd]

I've been waking up to pee 3-5 times a night since DC was born about 3 years ago. (It was worse during pregnancy but I was told that it's the uterus compressing the urinary bladder and it would get better). I'm not sleeping very much because of this and neither is DH. My doctor said it was "detrusor muscle hypersensitivity/irritability" and gave me the option of detrol or acupuncture (weekly for 4 weeks possibly with herbs and may be monthly sessions after that). Any advice or experience on this problem or with acupuncture? I was hoping it would just go away with time... I've never tried acupuncture, so I'm nervous. I was hoping there'd be some form of exercise that would make me better. I'm also concerned that the doctor is just "selling" acupuncture because he has a practice that brings in acupuncturists.

Thanks for reading!

[daisyd]

Someone? Anyone?Please help!

[daisymommy]

I would look into a pelvic floor therapist. There was a long thread on this in the past. Maybe do a search?

I wonder if you have a slight prolapse? (part of your bladder is pooched out into your vaginal canal--sorry for the TMI!). That can cause your symptoms.

And there are therapists that help you strengthen all those muscles down there to hold everything back in and support your bladder the way it should be.

Much better idea than acupuncture if you ask me!

[daisyd]

Thanks so much, that was helpful (and encouraging). I'm a lot less scared and more hopeful... I did do a search for acupuncture but I'll try one for pelvic floor therapy now.

[daisymommy]

I just did a search here in the Lounge and found several threads on the subject. Also try the Healthy You forum (which has "womens issues" over there ;)).

Found this link too:
http://www.athenaft.com/

[Tondi G]

I haven't been for urinary issues but I have had acupuncture done and honestly, if you have a good person, it doesn't hurt. Only once the needle went in a little too deep and I got an odd pain immediately ... I said something and she pulled it back a tad and the pain went away right then. I really like acupuncture and highly recommend it.

[hellokitty]

I think the therapist that daisymom mentioned would be a good option and my take on acupuncture is that it doesn't hurt to try it. I have the same issue. I CANNOT sleep w/o having to pee at least 1-2x during the night since I've had babies and I have no doubt that I probably have some prolapse, b/c (and warning, this is tmi) when I get a really bad chest cold and cough a lot. I always end up leaking urine. The ONLY way I can prevent this is by wearing my diva cup (menstrual cup, which basically ends up working like a pessary in this case) to get through it.

[tiapam]

is it your GP or a specialist? urologist or other, though not sure what other type you would go to for this? is this only happening at night or do you go a lot during the day too? has the doctor ruled out other diagnoses or is this a best guess?