I have a problem

tanith

hippygran wrote: »

: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

lots of good information on this thread I agree. One thing I think made a difference to my GP was when I said it was getting to the point of giving up my job (my job meant I wasn't able to get to a loo easily or quickly) he straight away referred me thank goodness.. just don't take no for an answer there are solutions out there.

Savvy_Sue

renegade wrote: »

Thats interesting, conflicting advice then from 'specialists'!

I think the 'conflict' is just on how you do the exercises: no-one doubts their importance even if they don't cure the problem. one way to check you are using the right muscles is to 'stop the flow', but that's all you should do, not repeatedly stop / start or hold.

But advice may also differ depending on the cause of the problem, and that can only be established if you see a medical professional, not by chatting to fellow leakies on MSE.

However, let's not stray into medical advice, which is of course off limits ...

newleaf

For anyone who feels embarrassed about buying their pads along with the supermarket shoppping, you can buy tena lady online https://www.tenadirect.co.uk/
Bladder weakness started for me after the menopause, and I don't have children, so can't blame a pelvic floor weakened by childbirth. I'm told hormonal changes are enough to set it off.
My friend, who had 4 babies, one of them a breach presentation, had dreadful problems from her early 30s, but recently had a new day case procedure done, where a 'sling' is inserted by a surgeon. It goes in at the top of the leg and somehow fits under the bladder to lift it. Very successful for her, done as a day case, and only a couple of stitches in the leg, which dissolved after a week. (It's called Transvaginal Tape or TVT if you want to google it)

cavework

Well , I promised an update.
I took your advice and asked for help. They were so nice and helpfull
I just want to say a HUGE THANKYOU to everyone who replied.
No more coffee only a couple of de caffs per day ..only a small amount of alcohol, some pelvic exercises and I cannot believe the difference already!
Just a HUGE thankyou .. I was so embarrassed about this
xxx

Torry_Quine

cavework wrote: »

Well , I promised an update.
I took your advice and asked for help. They were so nice and helpfull
I just want to say a HUGE THANKYOU to everyone who replied.
No more coffee only a couple of de caffs per day ..only a small amount of alcohol, some pelvic exercises and I cannot believe the difference already!
Just a HUGE thankyou .. I was so embarrassed about this
xxx

That is so good to hear, keep it up. Your openness has no doubt helped many other women. :A

[Deleted User]

I am sitting here doing those exercises. They do help but it is oh so easy to forget until the next time I sneeze unexpectedly. I must remember!!

Very common problem, dd has it at 34

hippygran

To all you fellow sufferers.
Going to see diabetic nurse next Wednesday, when I will definitely be raising the taboo subject!!
Think I just might wave a tena lady at her to break the ice, they are that blooming big nowadays, she won't be able to miss it!
Will let you know how I get on!

hippygran

Just to up-date everyone.
Went for my diabetes check up last Wednesday, and spoke to the nurse about my little problem.
As there has been concern about my previous results, she booked me in for a double appointment for today, to see both her and the GP.
The GP was ACE, sympathetic, and gob-smacked that this had been going on since my youngest was born 23 years ago, although it started off much smaller, and has only recently reached Niagara fall proportions (well by recently, only 10 years or so!)
She has prescribed tablets called Detrutisol, and also said that the uncontrolled diabetes is making it much worse. Unfortunately I have had to go on tablets for that as well, which I'm not too pleased about. But she stressed that as the diabetes becomes improved, so too will the stress incontinence.
Also she strongly recommended I seriously reduce caffiene intake, as apparently this has an effect on bladder. - so be warned serious coffee addicts. Not going to help me that much though, as I can't enjoy coffee at all without the dreaded sugar!
She also laughed when I told her about you lot, and when I said that the financial side of it was an issue, since I get through a hell of a lot of pads, and as I live mainly in Wales, I do get annoyed by the fact that they are around 50p dearer a pack of ten locally (NO Home and Bargain, or Wilkinson's £1.99 offers). Currently pay about £2.50 - which IMO is REALLY taking the P**S!
Anyway will let you know if the situation improves.
THANKS AGAIN ONE AND ALL!

Bettie

There are a few 'tricks' that may help out, wonder if anyone else has any?
1) in this weather ( cold windy) thermal leggings under trousers do make a difference
2) a windproof coat that goes below the bottom is invaluable because when the wind whips around your tuppence it can make you want to go, just like your nose runs in wind and you can't stop it.
3) a full stomach is better than an empty one.
4) sometimes inserting a tampon it can press inside and stop the leaking.
5) never run for a bus :-)
Hippygran, do you definitely have stress incontinence? I didn't think they would give those tablets for that. Let us all know if they work.

hippygran

Bettie,

Thanks for the tampon trick, as I've never tried it, but will be doing so. Funnily enough I have noticed that the problem got worse once my need to use tampons grew less and less frequent!
Don't recall really having much problems during my periods at all!
Don't know why I didn't make a link, and am now wondering if the tampon acts in a similar way to the cones they give you to aid pelvic floor exercises?

Yes Betty, she said it is definitely (mainly stress incontinence), since it first began with a very difficult pregnancy and labour 23 years ago! Had stress incontinence during the pregnancy so bad that when my waters broke, I didn't realise until the next day, and thought the incontinence was just getting worse! This was mainly because all the books said that waters = 'slow steady trickle' or 'sudden gush'. The baby's head position meant that the waters were just leaking, rather than coming all at once!

But because of the diabetes, she thinks there is also some degree of an over-active bladder and maybe some urge incontinence mixed in amongst it! I can go long periods without needing to go, (and I mean hours if I'm working etc,) but once the thought enters my head, my need becomes instant!)

She thinks the tablets will help, along with the diabetes medication to stabilize blood sugars, but says she can't rule out the possibility of surgery further on down the line. I've also got to do the pelvic floor exercises, but struggle with this side of it, because I have been doing them (several times a day, and every time I wee) for 23 years now!! And I try really hard to stop it mid-flow - but NO CHANCE!!!