Holly Robinson Peete shares diagnosis after problems on set

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Holly Robinson Peete

Holly Robinson Peete says she’s always been an “open book,” so she won’t hide a recent diagnosis some people are too embarrassed or embarrassed to share. The Hallmark Channel actress recently signed on as spokesperson for Urovant Sciences’ new addition “Time to Go” educational initiative. about overactive bladder (OAB), a condition she was surprisingly diagnosed with, despite the fact that her frequent bathroom breaks on the sets of her films had become a running gag.

“I didn’t know what was going on,” Peete said Shondaland in an interview in February 2023. “All I knew was that I had to go to the bathroom way too often, more often than ever before.”

Now the actress is opening up about what she’s learned and what she’s doing to help treat the disease.

Holly Robinson Peete shares how OAB influenced her on Hallmark film sets

Urovant SciencesHolly Robinson Peete holds her prescription for OAB

When Peete, 58, first experienced symptoms of OAB, she only thought it was a sign of aging or a side effect of menopause. She said Black Enterprise so she did not seek help for years.

According to Mayo Clinic, OAB causes “a sudden urge to urinate that is difficult to control,” typically at least eight times per 24 hours. Patients are also likely to wake up at least twice a night to go to the bathroom.

That kind of disruption is difficult for anyone, but not conducive to Peete’s work on film sets, especially since Hallmark’s 15-day shoot is so intense. Filming Christmas movies was the worst, she told Shondaland, because she had to be wrapped in layers of winter clothing and always worried about the location of the nearest restroom.

She then noted that assistant directors had given her the codename “10-1,” which is a common movie set term used when an actor needs to hurry to go to the bathroom. Peete told Shondaland she didn’t want a reputation for being “the girl who needs to go to the bathroom all the time!”

So Peete eventually went to a doctor, she said, where she was surprised to find out about OAB — and that she had it. She said essence that her doctor recommended a prescription drug called GEMTESA, intended for adults with symptoms such as leakage, urgency, and frequency.

“I had OAB symptoms for years before speaking to my doctor about possible treatment options, and I wish I had done it sooner,” she told Essence, adding that over the past few months she’s noticed a marked improvement in the reduced her anxiety.

“I always have to find out where the bathroom is.” she told MSN in January. “That was the first thing I would ask. Every restaurant I went to, every trip I took, I always had to plan ahead where the bathroom was.”

Holly Robinson Peete says the diagnosis has reminded her to take better care of herself

GettyHolly Robinson Peete poses with her family on her just unveiled Hollywood Walk of Fame star in June 2022.

Peete is not only relieved that she no longer has to worry about her bladder as much while filming, but also grateful that her diagnosis has reminded her not to wait any longer to speak up for herself.

“All we have is our health,” she told Shondaland. “If you’re a busy mom or work, especially black women, we assert ourselves. We keep making things possible. We ride on for everyone else and put ourselves last. It’s important to put yourself first.”

Referring to the sometimes embarrassing diagnosis, Peete said this is not a time for her to stop speaking honestly and openly about matters important to her.

“I’ve always been an open book,” she said said Ebony. “I shared my story about my family and special needs and just things that we’ve been through.”

She added that she had never heard of OAB until she was diagnosed, so she hopes her opinion will help others learn about it as well.

“If my conversation can open up a conversation for someone else, then that’s a great thing,” she told MSN.

According to Prevention magazine.Over 33 million Americans suffer from OAB symptoms. Some doctors suggest diet changes and bladder and pelvic floor exercises, such as Kegel exercises, before prescribing medications for their patients.