When seeing a doctor or nurse, it's important that you explain the full story of your OAB symptoms. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your appointment.
If you are worried about a bladder problem you should always speak with a doctor or nurse.
However, taking the first step is not always easy to do.
Some people may be embarrassed to talk about a delicate subject. Others may have lived
with symptoms for some time and are concerned about their doctor's response. It's important
to know that this is not unusual. Your doctor or nurse is there to help you find the support you need.
Seeing a doctor, nurse or pharmacist:
Surgeries are often very busy and appointments can be difficult to make. You may have to
wait several weeks for an appointment. Having waited for an appointment, it's important to
make the most of your appointment.
If you have blood in your urine, have difficulty passing urine, or pain on passing urine,
you MUST talk to your doctor about it urgently.
Complete a bladder diary
A bladder diary can be an extremely useful tool to complete before you visit your
doctor or nurse. It helps the doctor see a picture of your daily bathroom and drinking routine.
Tip: Use a mobile phone to record your bladder diary on the go
Fill in the bladder diary as accurately as possible for three days in the week.
The diary is sectioned into 24-hour periods. Write down when you’ve had a drink,
and include a description of the drink and how much you consumed. Write down your number
of toilet trips, along with whether your urge to urinate was ‘strong’ or ‘mild’.
If you had a wetting accident, make note of it in your diary also.
Write down any questions you would like to ask before the appointment
When you get in front of your GP or nurse, it's easy to forget what you planned to ask.
We recommend you make a note of any questions you may have, before your appointment,
and take them with you.
How long have you had the problem?
How does it feel?
How often does it affect you?
Is your bladder problem stopping you from doing certain activities?
Are you changing your day because of your bladder problem?
Are there any food, drink or lifestyle choices that make the condition worse?
Be patient. Be positive. You've taken the first step
At the appointment, your doctor may not be able to provide an answer to your bladder
problem during the first visit and further tests may be needed. Be patient and ask about
follow-up appointments. Bladder problems can be difficult for a doctor, nurse or pharmacist
to diagnose as there are lots of causes they need to think about.
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