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.

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BellaLife
BellaLife

Hi, I am 50 year old female at a healthy weight.  I run, bike and lift weights at least 5 times a week.  I have 3 healthy children, 2 of which are off at University.  I have finally seen a urologist for my incontinence.  For now she has started me on the conservative approach to treating my stress and urge incontinence.  This involves self catheterizing once per day along with a daily pill.  Apparantly the goal is to shrink my bladder and get it used to being fully emptied.  


Today I went in to be taught how to self catheterize.  I am only just realizing how awful this process is and I'm not sure I can mentally deal with the challenge.  However, what choice do I have...continue with bladder control issues or risk a surgery which has landed so many women in an even more miserable state?


I do have a supportive husband but I'm still so guarded and embarrassed about this that I won't talk to him.  I am so resentful (mostly because I really take care of myself) and dispondent about this and feel very isolated, discouraged, embarrassed, etc.

momtobedwetter
momtobedwetter
This treatment has never been suggested for me and it sounds awful.
However good luck
wetr
wetr
I too have to do intermittent catheteterization, twice dailey for my diverticuli,i understand the process,very important to have things sterile to avoid UTIs.
Barry
Barry
Did your urologist mention a permanent urethral catheter or a suprapubic catheter? Either would involve a leg bag. It sounds like that would not fit your lifestyle. My suprapubic catheter was fitted in a 40-minute operation under local anaesthetic 5 tears ago and has worked quite well. Before that I had an intermittent urethral catheter (like yours?) for a few months. It was a nuisance, even for a man.
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