I have a problem

System

OK, here goes from someone who in his late 40 began to suffer bladder leakage and actually did go to the DR. I was sent for umpteen tests ranging from xrays to dye inserted to my bladder and camera's passed via the urethra. Oh, and I am male by the way.

En route I discovered there was such a thing as stress incontinence, then I encountered chronic interstitial cystitus (male) and interstitial cystitus (female). Mine happened to be CIC.

All the time these tests were being carried out, I was wet. In desperation I told my GP it was getting me down as I had no way of keeping myself dry. Someone had advised me to ask to be assessed by a District Nurse as there were many products available on the NHS that might help.

This proved to be very useful as incontinent pads/ pants were offered, along with pads to put under the sheet to prevent the mattress getting soiled. These items were made available free of charge and all I needed to do was to collect them weekly.

All in good time, surgery came.

At this point I will cease the story, suffice to say, I no longer am wet.


Margaretclare is right to mention http://www.bladderandbowelfoundation.org/ until about a year ago, this was called something else, the name escapes me,(incontinent I think) but they have a forum, all of whom have experience and may prove to be helpful. I'm still a member but rarely post there now.

Rdel

I've not read through the entire thread so sorry if this has already been suggested but my grandfather went through a stage with someting like this. Went for tests and scans and the whole camera thing and it turned out that his different heart and blood medications were conflicting with each other to cause the problem. Might be something worth looking at if you are on any tablets.

Maddy27

I am 50+ and I was as bad as you but after years of thinking it was just me and nothing could help I told a lady doctor
I was referred to a specialist who told me to give up caffiene drinks - for me it was coffee and gave me tablets - Oxybutynin hydrochloride

WITHIN 2 DAYS I WAS LIKE A NORMAL PERSON WHO DID NOT PUT WET UNDERCLOTHES IN WASH EVERY DAY

i drink decaffienated coffee and dont notice the difference now and Specialist told me on my return that I could drink real coffee occasionally so when out in cafes etc. I enjoy the treat
Also told me to keep up pelvic floor exercises which I had tried but never worked in past so I do have good muscles
This may not work for everyone but like a miracle to me and if it helps even one lady I would be very happy

savvyme_4

This is such a common problem. I am fifty something with 2 grown up children. I had this problem before I had a hysterectomy (due to fibroids). Now that I have recovered from my op, it's marvellous, no more wetting and no more pads... I hope it lasts. I think the surgeon must have tightened everything up!! I still keep on with the pelvic floor exercises though!

Savvy_Sue

BTW, my 'problem' isn't helped by not having full use of one arm atm. takes longer to pull clothes down and get bottom on seat. :rotfl: will have to get sorted once the arm's improved, can only manage one thing at a time atm.

tanith

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

BTW, my 'problem' isn't helped by not having full use of one arm atm. takes longer to pull clothes down and get bottom on seat. :rotfl: will have to get sorted once the arm's improved, can only manage one thing at a time atm.

Savvy Sue I'm sorry but you did make me laugh, I had a vision of you trying to do that... have you thought about wearing a skirt and going commando:eek: just in the house I mean of course, might speed up the sitting down process just a little:T:T

hippygran

:j
Thank you to the OP who started this thread, and to all other contributors too!

I first developed this problem in my early 40's (although to be fair I
was warned by the lady GP I had when I gave birth twice in 12 months! - She said I hadn't given my body time to recover between pregnancies, and this would cause my pelvic floor muscles to weaken as I aged).

In my early 40's (which to me wasn't older - I thought she meant in my 70's or something when I wouldn't really care!), I had to resort to Tena ladies for the first time! I was mortified, but it was that or walk around with an almost permanent (though still quite small wet patch!).

Within 5 years I was on the largest size, and sometimes even they weren't absorbent enough!:eek:

I plucked up the courage to broach the subject with my doctor (god that took some doing). He was totally dismissive, said it was my age, nothing could be done, would get worse, and that was it - end of consultation! :mad:

Went home in tears, told my husband it would get worse and worse until I was in NAPPIES!

Fast forward 4 years, moved house, changed doctors, given full medical. Diagnosed diabetic and was told had probably been so for 5 - 10 years. Now on 3 monthly monitoring of blood sugars with diabetes nurse. The first 2 appointments, my blood sugars had really stabilized, and incredibly my stress incontinence was significantly improved. Mentioned this in passing to nurse, and she said this was quite a common thing in diabetics whose blood sugar was well controlled. So there must be a link there somewhere, then?

However, my next set of results weren't good at all, and also my problem has worsened, to the point where its almost becoming unmanageable.

Carry a spare Tena lady? I need to carry full packs!! I'm not joking! My handbag has to be the size of a rucksack to accommodate them!:rotfl: And I can't wear trousers unless the top I'm wearing is well down past my bum, because there is no way you could miss the bulge! Just hope no-one tries to pinch my bum! (AS IF!)

The reason for the thanks though is that I really thought nothing could be done, but because of what I have read on this thread, I am now determined to raise this issue with my nurse at my next consultation in 3 weeks time, and if no joy with her, with the doctor, or anyone who will listen (apart from the stranger on the bus - obviously :rotfl:), and will be more or less insisting I get some kind of resolution to this problem which quite frankly is making me very miserable!:(


So once again, Ladies and (Gents) - THANKS! :A

Savvy_Sue

tanith wrote: »

Savvy Sue I'm sorry but you did make me laugh, I had a vision of you trying to do that... have you thought about wearing a skirt and going commando:eek: just in the house I mean of course, might speed up the sitting down process just a little:T:T

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: No, I hadn't! But it's too flipping cold for that atm!

It's easier when I'm not wearing my thermals, of course, it's another layer and they're tighter than my trousers. But thermals are necessary while I'm working from home.

hippygran

Savvy Sue and Tanith

You BOTH made me laugh!

Unfortunately for someone with a bladder problem........................THIS IN NOT A GOOD THING!!!!

renegade

Torry_Quine wrote: »

While I agree that the clinic can teach you pelvic floor exercises please be careful. My nurse specifically told me not to stop and start mid-flow as this can potentially cause urine to go back with long term kidney problems resulting.

Thats interesting, conflicting advice then from 'specialists'!