AS and OAB Survivor

I was diagnosed recently with Asperger's Syndrome (AS) who suffered from OAB since adolescence. It only got worse as I got older well into my 50's. I tried so many things such as greatly reducing my caffeine and that had no effect. I would get up so many times during the night that I had no clue as to how many times.

When I started working for a school district, I began going to a new G.P. at the employee medical clinic at the beginning of this year. Due to anxiety issues, I started taking antedepressants. I also began keeping a daily chart of when I went to the bathroom. I did the bladder exercise and after a short while, I was meeting my goal of going ever two hours, 4 times at night which was a BIG improvement over 20 or so times a night. I suspected the antedepressant medication was helping.

The antedepressant, Lexapro, was the medication for me after trying it and another. I was feeling great and not having anxiiety attacks!!! The doctor increased my dosage and when my medication changed, the number of times at night went down to two. Also, fewer times during the day as well. When I told my G.P. a month later after the change in medication that I was now down to twice a night, he said, "You're down to my level!" He was thrilled for me and now I only have to see him in three months to see how the medication is going.

Obviously, Lexapro is the drug for me, but not for everyone. It's frustrating to try one, it doesn't work; try another, etc. Fortunately, I only had to try two before finding Lexapro to be it!

My anxiety at nighttime is gone now that I'm not frequently visiting the "john" during the night. It is also good to feel "good" most of the time.

It has also been such a relief and eye-opener about "me" since I was diagnosed with Asperger's. I try to look at the positive as to a number of ways during my life that having AS has been a help to me. Sure there are challenges, but there are rewards too.

Thanks for sharing your success, englndm!

Quite interesting, and great for you! I vary from every two hours to every four hours from one night to the next depending upon my level of hydration, and Doxazosin is what is making that possible. I see the urologist again in a few weeks, but I doubt the Lexapro would be suitable in my case because I think it would conflict with what the Tramadol I am taking for pain also does for my depression by affecting serotonin in some way.

Welcome to PsychCentral!
But what is OA...over-active bladder?

You guessed right. Overactive Bladder!