Question: I have a slow flow of urine and trouble emptying my bladder. Yet I’ve been diagnosed with overactive bladder. The medications for overactive bladder say not to take them if you have trouble emptying your bladder. What’s the story?
When you have an overactive bladder it may seem that your urine flow is slow because there is not much in your bladder but you still have an urge to urinate. Also, the frequent strong urges associated with an overactive bladder may make you feel as though you have a gallon in your bladder when in fact it may only be a few tablespoons full, making you feel you’re not emptying your bladder. Your health care provider will follow you to make sure the medications are calming the overactivity of your bladder but that you are still able to empty adequately.
Tamara Dickinson, RN, CURN, CCCN, BCIA-PMDB
