My irritable bladder…..I may have found the culprit!

Have you tried Vagifem?

I have never heard of this but a quick google confirms your suspicions.
It also suggests tomato purée or passata may have the same effect.

I suspect the OP wants ideas/tips to try before medication. I can’t see where Vagifem would help though as it’s not for bladder problems.

Vagifem helps my bladder!

I think my GP would disagree with you Georgesgran

I used to drink a lot of rooibosch and stopped as I thought it might be the culprit ... and it was.

What does your GP suggest?

Gosh, who knew. Thank you for that. I’ll definitely try eliminating tomatoes and see if it helps.

Sorry, I did a quick Google of the name and it seemed more for vaginal changes - I stand corrected.

I’ll keep an eye on this, as I’m up and down half a dozen times through the night!

I have had flare ups of interstitial cystitis where I did not have a Uti but where I kept having to go to the loo. It usually happens to me when there is a sudden change in temperature or I am under stress. I try to drink 2 litres of cooled boiled water spread out over the day at equal intervals and keep a diary and record. No more and no less so that everything is regulated. It may be worth a try. Good luck!

No worries Georgiesgran

When I presented with these symptoms at 60 my GP ruled out an infection, prescribed Vagifem, and it sorted the problem with no reoccurrence. Magic stuff!

My SIL can’t eat tomatoes, they play havoc with his bladder.

NotAGran55

No worries Georgiesgran

When I presented with these symptoms at 60 my GP ruled out an infection, prescribed Vagifem, and it sorted the problem with no reoccurrence. Magic stuff!

Me too! Magic stuff indeed.

I have an over-active bladder I think. Is that the same as a sensitive bladder?

Has anyone tried pelvic floor exercises and did they help, please?

I think pelvic floor exercises are more for incontinence.
This is quite different and very debilitating when you haven’t slept!
I’ve had to work today so it’s made me very irritable.
If tomatoes are the only thing I have to eliminate I can live with that.

My Mum was sensitive to beetroot and claimed that it was the cause of flare-ups of cystitis - she never drank gin because of the same effect.

My GP treated me for 15 years for what he said was an overactive bladder - I'd been weeing 20-30 times a day, so then was always thirsty and drinking more. I was prescribed various tablets, but then changed surgery and asked my new GP to refer me to a Urologist.

He told me to measure out what I was weeing throughout the day, and measure what I was drinking. It turned out I was drinking 7pts of water a day! He told me to cut it down to 2pts, and to stop all caffeine - in coffee, tea, chocolate, etc. What a difference! I've now been "normal" for about 4 years.

I know tomatoes are bad for arthritis. And I read an article today about which foods to avoid to take the strain off your kidneys and what to help them ( can’t remember what it said, though).I can go most of the day without needing to go to the loo but am then exhausted by having to get up so many times in the night. I’d give anything to sleep through the night.

I should add that fruit juices have a detrimental effect on me. Pelvic floor exercises made no difference (I was never incontinent)

It seems there may be link, for some people, between bladder frequency and IBS. Tomatoes are fairly high in fodmaps but not all people have the same trouble with the same fodmaps. Fodmaps are fermentable sugars that it has been found IBS sufferers cannot digest (so they ferment - not good).

I would be careful about your portion sizes if you think tomatoes might be the answer to you problems.

I am fairly sure the culprit is fresh tomatoes, who knew they were a huge irritant?

I've been avoiding them too, Sago as they seemed to be a source of irritation
Worst are the little cherry tomatoes which is a pity as I love them and we always grew some of those too.

Taking a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in warm water apparently reduces acidity, or so I've been told. It does seem to help. It tastes vile so have a teaspoon of sugar afterwards!

Sago have you been tested for diabetes?
If you are getting dehydrated and up and down to the bathroom it’s a possibility.
You could also have a small bladder. Years ago I had a test on my bladder as I was having problems and my bladder was filled with water until it gave way. It’s ok it doesn’t hurt just very odd peeing cool water. I apparently have a smaller than average over active bladder.
These days it’s not bothering me at all.
Thought I would mention it.

A GP prescribed me D-Manoose. Unfortunately it isn’t available on the NHS. Buy it online but never had a bladder infection since. They are so painful. It should be available on prescription but worth every penny if you can afford it. Roughly £20.

Sago have you had your potassium levels in your blood tested. Why I ask is I have problems with potassium and have been on a potassium low/ free diet for over 10 years. There is a long list of foods I can't have plus how much milk / yogurt I can have a day.

Who knew tomatoes and mushrooms where high in potassium. Just thought they where mainly water. The list I have covers an A4 sheet.