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Hi, I'm writing as I'm a fellow sufferer. I'm 33 and single - I mention this as finding a partner is hard when you've a shy bladder. In the past I've been known to sneak off into the garden to urinate if I've been lucky enough to bring a girl home. On one occasion I blew the chance to sleep with a beautiful woman as her toilet was next to her bedroom and I couldn't go. I've been suffering for as long as I can remember, like many of you i find it impossible to urinate if I know people are listening, especially strangers. I've just tried going in the urinal at tesco, I was bursting but couldn't go as there were a handful of people in there. I finished my shopping and returned, the toilets were empty and I was able to go. Doesn't make any sense does it?!?! In most cases I have to plan ahead toilet trips, I normally end up 'holding it' if I'm out in public until I get home where I feel comfortable. I have a stag do coming up to Marbella, I'm very much looking forward to it, but there's a problem. Public toilets, plane toilets, hotel toilets. Also there will be lots of lads on the stag do who I don't know. There will be drinking, lots of it probably which to any none sufferer would be fun but it brings with it great anxiety about using the toilets. I would love to be able to go knowing that this wouldn't be an issue, or at least have a few tricks up my sleeve on how to approach a toilet with confidence. Any pointers would be very much appreciated.....?
You could try checking out the toilets before you need to use one. Wash your hands or blow your nose when you go in there instead of peeing. If you cannot pee standing up in a cubicle because there's a gap under the partition, try sitting on the toilet as the body can relax better this way sometimes. You could try wearing leakage pads which are available at chemists such as Boots and on prescription at the discretion of a district nurse. If you are room sharing at your hotel try putting the tv on as soon as you are in the room and turn the volume to a tidy volume. When you need the toilet your room mate will not be able to hear you then and will also be distracted.
It may be a bit late in the day,but you might try seeing your GP and asked to be instructed in self catheterisation..It may seem a little daunting at first but after a couple of times doing it,it becomes so easy.The advantage of this is its 100% successful and it wil fully empty your bladder(much better than being doubled up in pain and unable to release it).If there are any drawbacks to it I would say you have to make sure you don't contaminate the catheter when inserting as this can lead to infection.