Get yourself to a competent urologist right now! When I was a teenager & started having sex w/boyfriend (who is now my husband of 35 yrs.) I kept getting bladder infections. So urologist said my urethra was too small & so my bladder wasn't emptying all the way & causing me to get painful infections & he did this procedure of putting a tube in my urethra to stretch it; each week it was gradually a bigger tube. It was so painful, plus he also filled my bladder w/a "desensitizing fluid." It was so painful & he had no bedside manner. When I was close to crying (I was 15!! Mother had just killed herself!), he would tell me how brave the men are who have to have tubes inserted.

Had to go on Vicodin for the pain as after each procedure caused incredible pain while urinating. He said my urethra would shrink & I would probably have to have it done again in about 10 yrs. NO WAY, but it got again that I felt like I had to urinate all the time--even 5 min. after going to the bathroom. It was limiting my life so much.

I brought it up to my internal med doc & she recommended a urologist. I made an appt. & then canceled it--afraid I would have to go through the same thing.

Finally, my life was so limited by the feeling like I had to pee all the time that I didn't want to leave the house! Saw urologist & explained what treatment I had before & he said that is no longer done! He prescribed Detrol which helped a little. Then he prescribed Vesicare & my life has returned to me. No more feeling of urgency. I think it is equal to my bipolar meds in improving my life! I used to not want to go anywhere where there wasn't a CLEAN bathroom nearby.

Kayaking? You've got to be kidding! Taking a long car ride or walk--no way--always afraid I would need to pee & would have no place to go. I'm not a good go behind a bush peeing kind of person!!

To be able to sit through a movie & dinner afterwards; take exercise classes, drive long distances--it is incredible how much a relief it is. I've been on Vesicare for about 10 yrs.!!!