Is it worth the embarrassment getting incontinence pads through NHS?

davidplans

My incontinence has progressively gotten worse over the years which I think is because of antipsychotic usage, I just deal with it with it by using pads and manage okay. I'm too embarrassed to go see a continence specialist or GP. I buy my own pads online out my DLA (MH issues) If I went to see a continence specialist what its the process? Have I got anything to be worried about? Do they isses pads and what are the pads proscribed in Nottinghamshire?

Alice_Walker

Give the continence service a call:

http://www.nottinghamcitycare.nhs.uk/find-a-service/services-list/continence-advisory-service/

Ames

Have you ever spoken to someone about it? My urinary incontinence is managed pretty well by tablets, I've never needed to see a specialist about it. It might be simpler to sort out than you think.

Don't be embarrassed though, just repeat to yourself on the way in that they'll have seen far, far worse.

w06

My suggestion would be:

Muster the strength, make an appointment with your GP, when it comes around have a good shower/bath whatever makes you feel good, put on clothes +/- perfum/aftershave that make you feel confident. Write on a piece of paper "I've incontinence that's getting worse". Remember that GP's just see urine, urology, gyane and bowel stuff as everything else, part of the day job. Go in feeling confident and tell them what the problem is, if you find you can't just hand over the piece of paper.

Worth asking, if you don't ask you definitely don't get. It's wholly possible that it's manageable with medication

good luck!

hxm

you can probably refer yourself to the local Continence Service if you don't want to ask the GP to refer you, somebody has already given you the contact details. No need to feel embarrassed - it's their job to deal with continence issues. A Continence Nurse will visit you in your own home to discuss and assess the particular problem you have. It is their job to promote continence, not just to prescribe pads, but if they are needed, they will do that. I used to work for the Continence Advisory Service (NHS) in Lancashire, and at the time they were able to prescribe up to 4 pads a day. These would be delivered to patients as a 3 monthly supply, it was the responsibility of the patient to ring up and request a further supply a few days before they were needed. The Continence Nurses were the loveliest people I've worked with.

matrix11001

Your GP/Practice Nurse will have encountered this issue many times, so there is no need to be embarrassed.

If you get free prescriptions then you should speak to them. It may be worth getting referred to the Continence Service, you never know they may be able to treat the underlying issue and you might not need them after a time.

Cynical_Hermit

Dear me, please go to your GP who will then refer you to the correct people.

I am in my 30s and been doubly incontinent since birth. I have pads delivered to my door through the NHS once every 3 months (free). A continence adviser will discuss with you what pads you need and will then prescribe the right ones for you.

These people deal with incontinence day in and day out there is absolutely no need to be embarrassed.

ripplyuk

OP, I'm in an almost identical situation with mental health issues, antipsychotic medications (amongst others), and incontinence. To be honest, I'm so glad to find this thread as I thought I was the only one like this.

I finally, after many years, mustered up the courage to tell my GP about it. They said they'd never heard of incontinence being an issue with any of the meds I'm on, or with mental health problems. They referred me for Physiotherapy which was of no use at all. It was just pelvic floor exercises. Even the physiotherapist told me it wouldn't help with my problem, but they had to go through it before they could refer me elsewhere. I was eventually referred to a consultant about it.

That was almost 3 years ago and I'm still waiting for the appointment. I can't get incontinence pads on the NHS until I see the consultant, and 'have a diagnosis' (according to my GP). I think it must be a bit of a lottery depending on what services are available in your area. Judging from the other replies, it's a lot easier in some places. Hope it works out better for you. It's certainly worth trying because it does become expensive when you need them long term.

davidplans

I have just decided to just get on with things and continue using the pads, I technically a recluse anyway and don't go nowhere, I hope because I'm using the pads all the time because of accidents my incontinence don't get worse? I have heard that using them makes things worst in the long run and you become dependent on them permanently, is this true?

lemontart

wilkos do their own brand and they are ok, not as good as tenna but a fraction of the price