I am a healthy white male, age 42.

About 4 years ago I started experiencing an increased frequency in
urination, as well as bladder discomfort and resulting loss of sleep.

My main problems are:
- Frequency and urgency of urination
- This has really effected my quality of life as I never sleep well!
I also experience a lower back pain which somehow is associated with
this.

For a least a year I had expeienced the above symptoms.  In June 2000,
I went to a Urologist for the first time.   A urine sample was
collected and checked for blood and bacteria.  The urine was normal.  
Dr. also had uroflow test and a sonogram of the bladder after the
test.  Results were normal and good.  Bladder was emptying properly.

The Uro said that the symptoms were mild and we agreed that they were
not effecting the quality of my life too much.  No meds were
prescribed.  I was now a bit more educated and somewhat satisfied to
know that the problem did not appear to be indicative of something
more serious.....maybe it was just part of getting older, I thought.

From time to time I would read postings on this group to try to
educate myself.   One significant thing I learned is that there are
others who have much more severe symptoms and who suffer a LOT more
than I do.  I guess that made me feel better...

So for two years, 2000 and 2001,  I did nothing different.  The
symptoms did not change.

So I went back to the same Urologist three times in mid 2002.  
Urinalysis was done twice.  Lab results were normal.   He had me keep
maintain a urinary diary, which I did.   He recommended meds to try to
(as I understand it) relax the bladder.   He recommended Detrol (4
mg).   After about  4 weeks, there was no change in symptoms.   He
then recommended Ditropan XL (10 mg). After about 4 weeks, again there
was no change in symptoms.  I think he gave me free samples of
Levaquin as well.   These meds did nothing.

On my third and last visit ( in June 02) the Dr. Suggested I return in
about 8 weeks for a Uroflow.  I did not return.  I was starting to
lose faith and the Dr. (I am not saying here that I was correct to do
so.  It just was becoming evident to me that he did not know what was
causing the symptoms).  It's just that I was not seeing any
improvement.  So I did not go back to the urologist.

After the series of three visits in 2002  I had about the same
conclusions as I did in 2000: maybe I just have to live with it.  But
I did have one new idea (pretty much on my own) that I needed to try:
maybe the symptoms were diet-related, and I should try to identify a
relationship between what I ate and drank and bladder discomfort.

I was drinking one glass of wine at nites about 5 nites per week.  I
did notice that at times, the alcohol REALLY exacerbated the bladder
discomfort.  The correlation between the alcohol and the discomfort
became much more obvious this year, so I cut out all alcohol about 3
months ago.  Unfortunately, the discomfort has continued.

About a week ago I cut out all caffeine.  I had tried this before as
well.  No improvement.   I also started drinking about 1-2 liters of
water a day.  No change in symptoms.  Now, I am realizing that the
lack of sleep is *really* hurting the quality of my life and I need to
do something.  My only idea is to post on this group and seek answers.

Let me try to add some info.  to fill in any blanks:

I have not taken any antiobiotics.  Or had any X rays.  I've never had
any surgery of any kind.  Prior to the symptoms discussed above, I've
never had any urinary or bladder problems.

Here are some symptoms/ problems that I am NOT having:

No difficulty starting or stopping urine flow
No Discomfort in penis
No urinary incontinance or urinary retention.
No blood in urine.
No burning or discomfort during urination or ejaculation.
No sexual-related disfunction or problems.
No discomfort after ejaculation
No erectile problems.
I have never taken any antibiotics for these symptoms.
I have not taken any meds of any kind for any reason other than those
mentioned above.
I am in excellent health.  I exercise regularly and am not overweight.
I don't smoke.

My main symptoms are:
Uncomfortable holding urine.  
Frequency of urination.
Bladder discomfort (achey, and sore.  Right now my bladder is sore and
I dont have to urinate!). Bladder is usually sore in the morning....
I cannot get a good night sleep since I have to get up and go to the
bathroom! And when I wake up my bladder is usually achy and sore.

My main question that I am seeking your help on is: what do I do next?
What do I do next?

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer.

JAM