Urinary Incontinence Support Group
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary excretion of urine from one's body. It is often temporary, and it almost always results from an underlying medical condition. Stress, functional, and urge incontinence are the most common forms. Share with other support group members and learn from their stories and experiences.
A "little" introduction:
I'm a 34 y/o male from the Midwest. I'm a combat veteran, a business owner (in the building trades), and I have a love of the outdoors. I'm in a long term relationship with an amazing woman. And my bladder doesn't work.
About a year ago, I started having nighttime accidents. Then they started happening during the day. It wasn't long before I lost complete control. I had just started taking antidepressants for PTSD and my doctors attributed my situation to side effects from that. I switched to another antidepressant but the problem stayed. I then went off the antidepressants completely, but nothing changed. I was referred to urology where I underwent several tests and procedures and discovered that I had bilateral ureteroceles and subsequently a neurogenic bladder. It was explained to me that the ureteroceles had been causing blockages my entire life and making my bladder work extra hard until the point where it just gave out.
"So where does that leave me?"
My bladder doesn't have any feeling anymore, so I don't know when it's full. I can't "just go" because apparently the sphincters still work properly and won't relax if they don't get the signal that it's time to go. When my bladder gets too full, it just releases with absolutely no warning. To prevent back flow into my kidneys, I have to self cath several times a day. I wear diapers 24/7 to keep up with everything and keep my issues private.
This has been a tough transition, but I'm doing my best to stay positive through all of it. Very few people in my life know about this because I still feel the stigma and I'm just not ready to open up about it yet. I still feel like I need to vent, and be able to talk to people with similar situations so that's why I'm here. If I can help others in the process, that's even better. It's nice to meet you all, and thanks for listening (or, reading, I guess lol)
Mike
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I have toys. So the ones I have not used or need any more, are gone in the trash. One of my toys is just a regular hand held massager with an attachment. The other is a real insertable toy. This morning I ordered a new toy with attachments. It is small and has a brush like attachment and the other looks like a rose with a tiny tongue. I'll get it in about 2 weeks. Rechargable and...
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I can't believe this has gone on this long. So I don't have much hope of getting a tech job, but I saw an educational job that I thought might be really good. It would have been working at a university supporting high school students who are taking college classes. I did a mock interview with a friend and prepared extensively. It was at the university that I graduated from. I was very excited...
I have some issues which appear to be similar, some very different. I broke my neck in January 2013 when I was nearly 65. This left me paralysed from the chest down with almost normal use of my arms but little use of my hands - so self catheterisation was never going to be practical.
I had a suprapubic catheter fitted in May 2013. It has worked reasonably well. Infections and blockages have been a problem at times but now seem to have been solved. If the medical people suggest it, it would be worth thinking about. Although not an ideal situation, I guess it has been better than the alternatives in my case. I am told that it easily reversible if I ever stop needing it.
Good luck,
Barry
Like Barry, I have a suprapubic catheter and have had it for a year. For 20 years I did self cath and occasionally Foley catheter. The suprapubic catheter is the best for me. I've had no infections or blockages, so I guess I'm lucky there. I have no problems being out and about with a leg bag and can easily empty it in a store restroom. You can feel the bag on your ankle when it needs to be emptied. At night, I sometimes get the extension tube to the bag tangled but have yet to pull the catheter out. The suprapubic catheter should not affect your relationship with your amazing woman.
Good luck,
Richard
I have been fighting bladder cancer for 6 years and my bladder has finally given out. I have been wearing a foley catheter for a few months now with no issues. I hated self-cathing and it was extremely painful and caused infections from constantly sticking stuff in myself. Plus, I have to urinate frequently, over 20 times a day (and night) so self-cathing was not an option. My bladder cannot hold any liquid before it starts backing up into my kidneys and causing major issues. Before my bladder finally gave out, I wore diapers for two years so I could have something of a life and actually work but adult diapers are terrible about absorbency and were only good for one or two events before having to be changed. Plus, my insurance considers them "cosmetic" and I had to pay for them out-of-pocket.
Wearing this foley catheter has given me my life back. I can sleep through the night without my diaper leaking. I can go to restaurants and actually enjoy a meal. I can drive a car for hours without thinking about my bladder every bump. Life is so much better. I still wear diapers in case the foley leaks at all but one diaper a day is much better than a package a day. I will eventually have an ostomy but the suprapubic catheter might be a good, long-term alternative to the foley catheter. Definitely look into the foley or the suprapubic. You can have some form of normal life again.
Also, some recent information I learned since wearing the foley is that men and women CAN still have sex while wearing it. Men just need to clamp off the foley and use a condom to prevent infection and women need to make sure everything is very clean and the bag is below her at all times.
Best of wishes....And thank you for your service.