DLA for stress incontinence.

Giant_Peach

I just have a query about DLA.

I was talking to a friend of mine who works in CAB. I have an embarassing problem of stress incontinence,both bladder and bowel. I have had bladder incontinence for 15 years, and bowel incontinence for around 1 year. I get reduced water rates as i use a lot of water as i have to wash my sheets daily,can only wear trousers etc once and shower twice a day. Its a horrible thing, but its been part of my life for so long I am use to it. I'm in my 30's so its not as if I can say its part of growing old gracefully.

My friend was saying I should apply for DLA as changing bedding as a result of your incontinence also counts as attention in connection with your bodily functions so she feels I may be eligible for DLA. I get extremley sore, and if I dont go to the toilet straight away then obviously its a disaester.

Trouble is I know people that have applied for DLA and have bowel stomas, or are recovering from cancer, and they arent awarded anything. I know its about your care needs and help that is reasonably needed so every case is different.

I applied for DLA for my child last year and it was awarded, but it was a stressful application. I also have depression (common I know) and self harm but wasnt sure if that was relevant to anything. I dont know whether this is me not wanting to accept the reality of my medical issues by not having to fill out a form and getting the evidence from my G.p

This has been difficult for me to post...i would be grateful for some guidance

mynameistallulah

In the absence of other health conditions, it would be expected that an adult can change their own clothing/ bedding etc. You would only be eligible for DLA if you needed assistance with your care needs.

Anubis_2

Considering you self harm etc I think it is worth applying however, I would stress first of all seeking out dedicated help for self harm.

I am doubly incontinent (not stress) and do get DLA but have a host of other things going on. I know it is very embarrassing so do empathise. I had to go to the dentist today and even though I was changed previous, I very embarrassingly leaked on the dentist chair as I get no warning either end.

It was absolutely awful, I burst into tears and I don't even want to go back even though the dentist was lovely about it all.

kingfisherblue

Anubis, sending you hugs (((((((( ))))))))

McKneff

Sorry, but I dont think you come anywhere near fitting the criteria for DLA.

It is awarded for care and mobility.
You can care for yourself and you dont have mobility problems.

You know from previously the questions they ask and the stress that comes with it.

You can only decide foryour self whether you want to put yourself through it.

Torry_Quine

I'm not asking you to tell us here but there must be a medical reason for your incontinence problems. What help are you receiving fro your GP? I would think that getting DLA for the problems you describe would be very difficult as it's not the diagnosis but the needs you have that determine your eligibility.

sunnyone

Anubis wrote: »

Considering you self harm etc I think it is worth applying however, I would stress first of all seeking out dedicated help for self harm.

I am doubly incontinent (not stress) and do get DLA but have a host of other things going on. I know it is very embarrassing so do empathise. I had to go to the dentist today and even though I was changed previous, I very embarrassingly leaked on the dentist chair as I get no warning either end.

It was absolutely awful, I burst into tears and I don't even want to go back even though the dentist was lovely about it all.

You dont have to be reliant on just pads etc. in todays world but you do have to have to be refered to the right specialists and have the relevant tests before you get long term bladder/bowel regimes in place and I must admit since I got the correct treatment for my nutrogenic bladder etc. my life has totally changed because I dont mess myself etc. and lets face it no one wants to shoite or p1ss themselves when they dont have to (unless they want to gain benefits for it )

Being incontinant wont get someone DLA, ever just in the same way as no other diagnoses will enable someone to claim DLA because DLA is based on care and mobility needs only.

Anubis_2

kingfisherblue wrote: »

Anubis, sending you hugs (((((((( ))))))))

TY Kingfisher

Hugs always welcome

TY Sunnyone - I wonder why they dish out pads and have home deliveries of pads on the NHS then for many years ?

Or why many places sell thousands - infact millions - of pads and pad aids in all shapes and sizes for many years? Do you think the NHS and such companies are cohabiting together making and selling them and marketing them so people can claim on benefits for incontinence?

No one wants to mess themselves but I am sure if there was a "one size fits all" solution to prevent it from ever happening for everyone, pads would no longer be made, be avaiable, or issued. I am also sure my doctor and specialist know what they are doing, I would hope they do anyway

What works for you may not for others, although I am pleased to hear you are sorted

GlasweJen

Anubis wrote: »

TY Kingfisher

Hugs always welcome

TY Sunnyone - I wonder why they dish out pads and have home deliveries of pads on the NHS then for many years ?

Or why many places sell thousands - infact millions - of pads and pad aids in all shapes and sizes for many years? Do you think the NHS and such companies are cohabiting together making and selling them and marketing them so people can claim on benefits for incontinence?

No one wants to mess themselves but I am sure if there was a "one size fits all" solution to prevent it from ever happening for everyone, pads would no longer be made, be avaiable, or issued. I am also sure my doctor and specialist know what they are doing, I would hope they do anyway

What works for you may not for others, although I am pleased to hear you are sorted

Pads are relatively cheap and easy to dish out compared to paying out for catheter parts. There is a solution to my incontinence that the NHS won't provide for cost reasons, they just give me a pads allowance. I had to fight to get a pad designed for night use for overnight as the NHS wanted me to be happy using a day one, it's all down to cost.

Anubis_2

GlasweJen wrote: »

Pads are relatively cheap and easy to dish out compared to paying out for catheter parts. There is a solution to my incontinence that the NHS won't provide for cost reasons, they just give me a pads allowance. I had to fight to get a pad designed for night use for overnight as the NHS wanted me to be happy using a day one, it's all down to cost.

Quite right - and as we know NHS services are a postcode lottery. Nothing will be done device wise for my back end incontinence because it's not at such a level yet - it has been a gradual occurence of around 3 to 5 times a week, as opposed to permanent.

Front end has been for a few years, after catheter failure the specialist decided that pads were the best option for my situation after citing his reasons for not wanting to fit a stoma at that time.

sunnyone

Anubis wrote: »

TY Sunnyone - I wonder why they dish out pads and have home deliveries of pads on the NHS then for many years ?

Or why many places sell thousands - infact millions - of pads and pad aids in all shapes and sizes for many years? Do you think the NHS and such companies are cohabiting together making and selling them and marketing them so people can claim on benefits for incontinence?

No one wants to mess themselves but I am sure if there was a "one size fits all" solution to prevent it from ever happening for everyone, pads would no longer be made, be avaiable, or issued. I am also sure my doctor and specialist know what they are doing, I would hope they do anyway

What works for you may not for others, although I am pleased to hear you are sorted

As jen says, pads are cheap and most people are just accept them without question, how many people do we see here who who claim to have incontinence caused by nerve damage from their spine yet none have had even the most basic video-urodynamic tests to prove this, never mind be offered any of the range of treatments available.

I have had bladder/bowel problems for 20 years, I learnt crede in rehab so I could empty my bladder, then I tried three diffrent drugs before having an indwell urethral catheter and I now have a indwell supra pubic catheter.

How many people even know that there are drug treaments for neutrogenic bladder?

People need real solutions and not just weekly deliveries of pads (which they wont stop when you want them too!).