stress incontinence and a cough...help!!!

[abbierhodes]

Right ladies, I need your help. I have three children and my bladder isn't what it used to be. This is normally a very minimal problem, but now I have a really horrible cough. I've seen my doctor about the cough itself...he thinks it's a mild chest infection but does not recommend anti-biotics as he thinks it will clear itself. Fine. He's given me a cough suppresant as the coughing is pretty much constant at times, and I can't sleep. The cough suppresant works a bit, but not totally.
My main problem is that when I cough, my bladder gives up on me. I've been using tena lady type pads which are great when it's a little trickle, but I had 2 incidents yesterday where the pad didn't cut it, the flood gates just opened.

To add to it all, I have a stressful job, and it's not the kind of job that I can just ring in sick. I need to be in work tomorrow, and I need to be fully functioning. I've had most of last week off, and now I really, really need to be in. I'm really frustrated, as I feel well enough to work, but I can't see how I can go in in this state.

Can anyone give any advice on how to sort this out?

I hope you mentioned this problem to your doctor as well?

Seriously - they deal with this Every day, and normally start you off with pelvic floor exercises, but it sounds like you may need to see a Physiotherapist for more intense/specialised exercises, and/or a referral to a gynae for help.

Don't be embarrassed, just make an appointment and explain that it is affecting your every day life and he/she can help get this sorted.

(I work in a surgery, it is VERY common).

Hope you get over your cough soon too - must be rotten!

:)

Thanks Milliways. I didn't mention it to the Doctor. I thought it was only happening occasionally, but it has got worse as the cough has gone on. Almost like there's too much strain on things, iyswim? I will go, though, I can't have this going on forever!
Does anyone know of any short term solutions? If I go to the doctor, can it be medicated? I really need to be in work!

It could be you also have a Urine infection if you are unwell? That would make things worse.

The following is taken from www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Urinary-Incontinence.htm and shows that yes, there is medication available if
needed.

NICE suggests the following management in women:

Pelvic floor muscle exercises:
A 3-month trial of pelvic floor muscle exercises is the first-line treatment.
This should include eight contractions, three times a day.
Continue if successful.
Consider electrical stimulation and/or biofeedback in women who cannot actively contract pelvic floor muscles.
Provide the patient with a patient information leaflet about pelvic floor exercises.
Drug treatment:
Duloxetine should not be used as first-line treatment. It may be considered as second-line treatment in women who do not want surgery or who are unsuitable for surgery.
Surgical treatment:

Just bumping in case any experts have come along! I'm basically looking for someone to say 'use these pads and this cough medicine and you'll be fine!'

I'm not very good at being ill

Sorry milliways, had not refreshed! Thank you for that, it's useful. I need to do my pelvic floor exercises more regularly, that's for sure! I do hope I don't end up needing surgery...though I'd love a tablet for it right now!