What are some common myths about OAB?
NELL: Today we’re discussing some common myths about OAB.
BREE: Being less familiar with OAB, I just learned about some of these for the first time myself. Jackie and Nell, I wonder if our viewers will be as surprised as I was by some of these facts.
JACKIE: First myth: OAB symptoms are a normal sign of aging.
NELL: That’s an important one, Jackie. I remember when my doctor explained that OAB symptoms weren’t just a part of getting older. That conversation really helped open my eyes.
JACKIE: I was surprised when I found out, too. I thought that my bladder symptoms of urges and leaks weren’t worth asking my doctor about. Turns out I had started to believe another common OAB myth: that my bladder symptoms weren’t serious enough to discuss with my doctor.
BREE: Sounds like you were almost ready to keep your bladder symptoms to yourself, Jackie. What made you choose to finally talk to your doctor?
JACKIE: Always running to the bathroom became part of my daily routine. Then I decided enough was enough. It was time to learn more. I found out that going to the bathroom 8 or more times per day (like I was) can be a sign of OAB. It was the push I needed to schedule that doctor visit.
NELL: Sometimes a little information can go a long way.
JACKIE: In the doctor’s office, I learned that OAB is a real medical condition that can affect adults at any age.
NELL: That leads us to our last myth, Jackie: that there’s nothing you can do to treat OAB symptoms. In fact, there are options that your doctor can suggest.
JACKIE: Like cutting back on caffeine, doing Kegel exercises…
NELL: Or taking medications like VESIcare – they can all be important options to ask your doctor about.
BREE: Ladies, clearing up some of these myths has made me feel like I made the right decision about scheduling a visit with my doctor. I want to know more about what I’ve learned and what steps I can take next.
JACKIE: That’s what Pipe Talk is here for Bree!
NELL: Stay tuned. We’ll be right back with more OAB topics.
Can OAB be really treated?
JACKIE: OK, here’s something people with bladder symptoms may be wondering: Can OAB be treated?
BREE: I haven’t asked my doctor about my bladder symptoms yet, so I’ll admit I have the same question.
NELL: I can share what my doctor told me: OAB is a treatable medical condition.
JACKIE: My doctor said the same thing: OAB can be treated. Once I explained the urges and leaks I was experiencing, he was able to offer suggestions about treatment options that could help make a difference.
BREE: I’d like to hear more about those options the next time I talk to my doctor.
JACKIE: Well, my doctor first suggested lifestyle changes that may help relieve OAB symptoms. I started doing Kegel exercises and watching out for certain things in my diet, like artificial sweeteners and spicy foods.
NELL: I do Kegel exercises, too. They’re easy-to-do exercises that help strengthen the muscles that support the bladder. I also started to think twice before reaching for that second cup of coffee. My doctor explained that caffeine could make that sudden urge to go to the bathroom worse.
JACKIE: For some people, lifestyle changes alone may not be enough to reduce OAB symptoms. That’s what happened with me, so I decided to schedule another visit with my doctor to talk about my OAB symptoms.
BREE: Jackie, how did you know the lifestyle changes you were making weren’t enough?
JACKIE: My urges and leaks were still too frequent and interrupting the things that I loved to do. So we talked more about my options, and that’s when my doctor prescribed VESIcare. I’ve been taking it for about three months now.
NELL: VESIcare is proven to treat OAB with symptoms of urges and leaks, day and night!
JACKIE: Ladies, it’s important to remind our audience that everyone’s experience is different. Let’s see what Patricia has to say about her OAB experience…
BREE: I hope people find Patricia's story as inspiring as we do.
NELL: Me too. Now let’s take a minute to remind everyone about the Important Safety Information about VESIcare!
BREE: There are more topics to explore, just take your pick!
How do I talk to my doctor about OAB?
JACKIE: Now the topic is: How to talk to your doctor about OAB. Bree, Nell, let’s get the conversation started.
BREE: This is a topic that’s personal for me. I know it’s time for me to talk to my doctor about my bladder symptoms, but I’m not sure how to bring them up
NELL: Bree, that’s ok. Some women can feel a little uncomfortable talking about leaks or how they’re always running to the bathroom. In short, it can be difficult to admit your bladder doesn’t always work the way it should.
BREE: So how can I get the conversation going?
NELL: A few simple pointers can put you on the right track for a successful conversation with your doctor. First tip: Make an appointment to talk to your doctor about your bladder symptoms. It can help you and your doctor stay focused on discussing the right treatment options for you. You can also ask your doctor if VESIcare could make a difference for you.
JACKIE: Second tip: Use the Doctor Conversation Guide on Vesicare.com.
NELL: Along with an OAB symptoms assessment, the Doctor Conversation Guide gives you tailored conversation starters that you can take with you to your next doctor visit.
JACKIE: Just print it out and put it in your bag when you’re ready to head to your appointment.
BREE: That seems like something I can do.
NELL: Last tip: Be open about your symptoms, and let your doctor interpret your condition and determine which treatment options may work for you.
NELL: Let’s take a break to read the Important Safety Information about VESIcare.
BREE: This topic has helped put me on the right track. I’m ready to talk to my doctor today. Pick another topic from the menu to see what we have to say next.
How does VESIcare help OAB?
BREE: Interested in learning how VESIcare may help your OAB symptoms? You’ve picked the right topic. Jackie, Nell, you’re both taking VESIcare. How could it help overactive bladder with symptoms of frequent urges and leaks?
JACKIE: My doctor explained that VESIcare is proven to treat overactive bladder with symptoms of frequent urges and leaks, day and night. Let’s take a look at the Interactive Guide to Internal Plumbing for more information.
A normal bladder.
For people without OAB, urine passes from the kidneys to the bladder, and the bladder expands until it reaches full size.
Once the bladder expands to its full size, it sends a signal to alert the brain that it’s time to go to the bathroom.
When you’re ready to go, the brain sends a message back to the bladder, telling the bladder muscle to start contracting.
This starts the flow of urine, and as the bladder muscle continues to contract, the bladder empties. But what happens if you have OAB?
An overactive bladder
For people with OAB, bladder function is different. Instead of filling and emptying as it should, the bladder muscle contracts prematurely, before the bladder expands to its full size.
When the bladder contracts prematurely, it may result in OAB symptoms.
OAB symptoms can be unpredictable. What are they?
Symptoms of an overactive bladder
Common symptoms of overactive bladder include: urgency, frequency, and leakage.
When the bladder muscle contracts before the bladder expands to its full size, you may experience urgency, the strong and sudden need to use the bathroom.
Another common OAB symptom is frequency, the need to use the bathroom 8 or more times a day.
OAB may also result in accidental leaks from time to time. But VESIcare may be able to help.
How VESIcare is thought to work
A natural body chemical called acetylcholine binds to receptors on the bladder, causing the bladder muscle to contract.
VESIcare is thought to work by blocking acetylcholine from binding to these receptors.
As a result, VESIcare may help to relax the bladder muscle, helping to control it and reduce OAB symptoms.
BREE: So that’s how VESIcare is thought to work!
NELL: You can see from the video how VESIcare may help control the bladder muscle. If you’re experiencing overactive bladder symptoms, ask your doctor if VESIcare could help.
NELL: Now it’s time to read the Important Safety Information about VESIcare.
BREE: Thanks, Nell. It’s important to know about the risks and benefits of VESIcare. Now learn about more topics right here with us on Pipe Talk.
Does VESIcare have any special offers?
NELL: Whether or not you’re currently on VESIcare, VESIcare has special offers for you.
JACKIE: That’s right, Nell. You can get your first prescription free, and sign up for ongoing savings and helpful tips with the Vantage ProgramSM.
NELL: Once I signed up for my Free Trial Offer, I was automatically enrolled in the Vantage Program. But you can sign up just for the Vantage Program, too. Either way, you’ll have the advantage, with exclusive savings and insightful OAB tips from VESIcare.
BREE: Is the Vantage program complicated to join?
NELL: Signing up can be easy. Just answer a few basic questions, and you’re enrolled.
JACKIE: Ready to join? Click on the link or call this number to get started.
BREE: Sounds great – I’m coming back here to sign-up!
NELL: It’s time again to take a look at the Important Safety Information about VESIcare. Once you’re finished select your next OAB topic.
How do I keep my treatment with VESIcare on track?
NELL: What can you do to get the most that you can from your treatment with VESIcare? If you’re like me, you want to make sure you’re doing what you can to help manage your OAB symptoms of urges and leaks.
JACKIE: I feel the same way Nell. That’s why I take VESIcare every day, and why my doctor talked to me about managing my treatment expectations. He didn’t want me to get discouraged if I didn’t start seeing results right away.
BREE: How long does VESIcare take to work?
NELL: Everyone’s results will vary. For some people, it may take several weeks for them to see an improvement in their symptoms. The best thing you can do is to keep taking VESIcare as prescribed by your doctor...
JACKIE: …and give it time to work.
BREE: Sounds like I should talk to my doctor about what to expect when it’s time for us to talk about treatments.
JACKIE: That’s a smart plan, Bree. And if your doctor prescribes VESIcare, you can also help yourself stay on track by signing up for the Vantage ProgramSM from VESIcare. It’s free, quick to enroll in, and you’ll find our how to get your first prescription free.
NELL: I like the Vantage Program because it connects me with the helpful resources – so I can learn more about my bladder health. I also take advantage of the useful tools, like e-mail reminders that help me stay on top of my refills.
BREE: That’s good advice for staying on track, ladies. I’ll be sure to keep it in mind if my doctor thinks VESIcare could be right for me. Now it’s time for another topic on Pipe Talk.
Important Safety Information
VESIcare is for overactive bladder with symptoms of urgency, frequency, and leakage. The recommended dose of VESIcare is 5 mg once daily. If the 5-mg dose is well tolerated, your doctor may increase the dose to 10 mg once daily.
VESIcare is not for everyone. If you have certain stomach or glaucoma problems, or trouble emptying your bladder, do not take VESIcare. VESIcare may cause allergic reactions that may be serious. If you experience swelling of the face, lips, throat, or tongue, stop taking VESIcare and get emergency help. Tell your doctor right away if you have severe abdominal pain, or become constipated for three or more days. VESIcare may cause blurred vision, so use caution while driving or doing unsafe tasks. Common side effects are dry mouth, constipation, and indigestion.
