Incontinence Anyone?

ducky · 12-09-2005, 09:58 PM

This is really embarassing for me but for quite a while now I've noticed that my underware is damp - as if I am leaking urine. I started wearing panty liners every day but lately I've noticed it's getting worse, and I'm even conscious of little drops squeezing out. I did mention it a while ago to my family Dr and all he said was that they could send me to a specialist and it would involve an operation. Also, I've never been pregnant, I'd heard that that could cause propblems with this too. Has anyone else noticed this - Does anyone know what could cause this and what could be done about it?

Jashobeam · 12-10-2005, 12:01 AM

When it happens to menopausal women and pregnant women they are often told to do Kegal (sp?) exercises to strengthen their control. It's a common problem with women, from what I've heard.

disco75 · 12-10-2005, 01:06 AM

I leak when I cough & sneeze & laugh. It's been happening since I was 10 or so. Lately it's getting worse so I'll be asking my doctor about it. There are a few treatments. I think doctors recommend Kegels first, & if that doesn't help there is a surgery. I think it's called sling surgery. I also read that cortisone shots in the muscles down there will bulk them up to stop leakage. I read this great article about all the tests & treatments but I misplaced it. When I find it I'll post more about what it said.

Shelleyc · 12-10-2005, 02:22 AM

I have this problem too but I have given birth three times. If I sneeze or cough I leak a bit. Pantiliners really help and I've been using them for years to avoid the surgery but I'm getting a bit tired of that. I'm going to ask my dr. about the options this week.

ABumpyGal · 12-10-2005, 11:12 AM

Gosh, I was always told that it was the women who had borne children that more often had this problem? I sometimes think doctors honestly don't know and that on women's anatomical charts below the belly button just says "HERE THERE BE DRAGONS!". Sheesh! The way your doctor responded to your concern was just shameful IMHO Ducky ((((hugs)))))!

I used to have this problem when I was younger, well the "stress-incontinence" type when sneezing, coughing, or laughing. And by younger I mean, like, ten

I found the miracle known as "Kegel Exercises" in a tatty old copy of "Our Bodies, Our Selves" in the local library and that permently put an end to it! They (ahem) improve your sex life too, but I didn't find out about that until muuuuch later.

You can learn tons on Kegels just by doing an internet search, but just to get you started: Kegels exercise the muscle known as the "PVC" muscle (don't ask me to spell out the full name, I just know it connect to the pubic bone, the vaginal canal, and the coccyx [butt bone]). This muscle is shaped basically like a sling, front to back, and can get stretched out by things such as pregnancy and labor. I sure hope I've got all that right... I'm working off of memory and memory isn't my strong suit since my last med change.

To first learn where your PVC muscle is so you can exercise it, try to stop your urine flow while going to the bathroom at full stream. If you've fully lost touch with your PVC, it can take some time, so be patient and keep at it. Once you've found that out all you need to do is work that baby! Try a variety of exercises... squeezing as hard as you can, squeezing in quick reps, just keep at it. I'm sure there's formal programs out there available on the 'net. The great thing about Kegels is that you can do them anytime, anywhere... boring meeting, traffic, you get the idea. No one will know, I promise!

There's even exercise equipment for kegels. No, I am not making this up. Some are glorified toys, but some seem to have value... such as a sort of "kegel dumbell" I've seen on Ebay. A German company called "Funfactory" makes, in addition to (ahem) "fun" things, a DVD and these things called "smartballs". I would link to them, but as I said, some of the things they also make some could consider offensive, so if you're interested just do a search on Funfactory and smartballs. With these you do all kinds of exercises with the smartballs "in place" and it's supposed to help more than kegels alone. Sadly the DVD is still only available in German language, but how hard could it be to follow an exercise DVD?

I wish you luck with this Ducky, but seriously look into Kegels if you haven't before. If you have, do more. I don't think one can O.D. on them, or I'd certainly be a candidate! I have to keep things in tip-top shape down there or the incontinence comes right back.

And hon, I know you know this, but there are better pads out there for this problem than pantyliners. I understand that they wouldn't be the most fun thing to buy, but buy 'em on drugstore.com or something if you have to. They are more expensive too, but once you've seen urine burn, let alone experience it, you'd gladly pay that extra money. Urine can really irritate the heck out of skin and can actually burn your skin

My dad is fully urine incontinent due to past prostate cancer and the pads he uses are no bigger than a normal, modern maxi-pad. I'm sure they make them in even smaller strengths/sizes than that and you wouldn't need much if you're just leaking. Those would keep you far more comfy and avoid any nasty rashes or infections. If you start to get rashes or burns, there's creams out there called "barrier" cream made just to protect your skin from urine and its effects. Aloe-Vesta is one my dad used to use. I know these things are no fun to buy, especially if you are in a small town, but that's one of the things the internet is great for! ((((hugs))))

Dana

ducky · 12-11-2005, 09:13 AM

Thanks Guy's - that's great info!

arcane · 12-11-2005, 09:05 PM

edit edit edit

merrickgirl · 12-12-2005, 05:41 AM

just a thought... you may have a urinary track infection... you dont have to feel pain , burning or urgency to have one in rare cases, maybe have the Dr so a urine culture just to be safe. This has happened to me and It went on for 3 months befor I did my own UC and it came back with an infection. You are to young to have blader controll issues ..... let us know how it turns out

ducky · 12-12-2005, 06:41 PM

Thanks Cathy - I never thought of that. I will book an apt today - I will let you know, but it may take awhile because it takes forever to get in to the Dr's in this town.