Urinary Incontinence Support Group

In 1997 I had a rectoplasty, still have IBS and now struggling with having to pee all the time. Wearing pads is okay but I need more so I do buy protective undergarments but I can't bring myself to go public. You know disposing them at a workplace or someones home, tho I always use plastic bags.

Working-out got to be almost impossible so these days I flick to You Tube and to my absolute favorite rock group(Queen) Once there I dance sort of and stretch and that's my work out. It's free and I can go potty when ever I want.

One day I hope to have this under control.

Sincerely

Louise

Welcome to the group! (Not that you really WANT to be here! Who does?)

I guess I'm understanding from your post that your IBS has been "around since childhood" and your urinary incontinence is a relatively new symptom to your list of chronic conditions? Do the doctors feel that your incontinence is due to any disruption that could have occurred during your rectoplasty? Or are they just assuming that you're getting older and these things are to be expected?

I can understand why you would be resistant to disposing of used undergarments any place other than your own home. My DS (age 10) is pretty freaked out about his nighttime pull-ups. I was even pretty secretive during my monthly cycle and carried my trash discreetly out to the garbage rather than dispose of it in just anyone's wastebasket. That's not quite as easily done with a full-sized undergarment.

My incontinence is not so bad that I would use undergarments. Occasionally, I do use feminine pads for minor leakage, but Detrol LA does work well for me... for the most part. I do have "bad days" when control seems scarce, but once I get back to my Detrol routine things get back in balance. I'm bad about taking medications with any regularity, but I've found that if I can get back in control with Detrol, that I can usually wean off of it for several months and still maintain pretty good control.

When things start getting out of control again, then I remember to take my Detrol!

Have you found any correlations between what you are drinking and any variation in control? I know that caffeine and carbonation can stimulate the bladder and cause more accidents. I avoid caffeine and sodas if I know I will be away from any near restrooms for a while. I do walk every morning and rather than risk an accident, I simply won't drink before I leave the house. I drink my morning coffee when I return home. I've foolishly had my morning coffee BEFORE my walk before and the results were disastrous!!!

Have your doctors considered any surgery to correct your condition? I know there was one poster on this site who had the mini arc sling surgery which seemed to be successful for her.

I hope you find the support you need here and I hope for your sake that you are able to gain some control so you can move on with your life.

~Mary

Mary I've had this all my life. The reason for me knowing where all the bathrooms were. Only went to the the doc when awful pressure would not ease and urine would not release.

This morn I'm going shopping at 3 stores. And yes I'm excited because one is my fabulous thrift store. Wednesday's are 70% days and getting silk and cashmere for pennies is something that I do get exited about

Next month I'll turn 60. That's so hard to wrap my brain around. Oh well, don't know if I'll be able financially to get back to the gym. But for the past 2 months I've been working out to some very awesome music that really keeps me moving. Being fat scares me so I keep moving.

In closing Mary, I wish for you and your's

The Very Best Christmas & New Year

Louise