Embarrassing..Urine problem

[kissmelittleass]

I feel embarrassed typing this but would like to hear from anyone suffering similar maybe..I'm 46 and have leaked urine for years now but it wasn't a problem really as it was only tiny amounts with sneezing, laughing, coughing etc etc. Last summer it became alot worse I walk for exercise but can hardly do this now as I have to wear a thick night time sanitary pad and sometimes even with the pad I will have soaked it like a wet nappy and have a big wet patch come through my trousers! It has been so bad the wet has spread all down between my thighs a couple of times. I can feel with every step tiny leaks coming out. I go to the toilet a few times before going out and wait until there are no more drops coming out! and yet when I walk you would think I had never been and the amount of urine is awful. About 3 years ago I had a scan for an unrelated problem and was asked to empty my bladder before hand which I did and on returning for scan the scan lady got annoyed that I hadn't emptied my bladder to which I replied I had. She then suggested my bladder wasn't emptying properly. I mentioned this to my doctor on my next visit and he dismissed it so I felt it must be ok. It is worrying me now, feel so ashamed and am too embarrassed to see my doctor. I am a big scaredy cat and really wouldn't want an operation, is there anything I can do to help myself and if anyone has suffered this or knows some one that has please tell your story, it would be good to hear I'm not alone as all the stories I read online are about tiny leaks! Thanks

I had some minor issues after giving birth, one of them being that my bladder didn't empty fully so I was going to the loo about twice as often. My GP referred me for physio and things are getting much better now. I think in some areas you can self refer, if not if go back and see a different doctor.
I hope things improve for you soon

Aww thanks MrsGSR..

have you given birth naturally?
i only ask as i have the earlier symptoms you mentioned - im 39
gp said it was normal considering i had given birth 4 times naturally.
he didnt offer me any tretmant at all- im afraid itl get worse.

treatment

Hi,
It sounds as though you might have retention of urine. This means that your bladder does not empty fully when you got to the toilet, as you have already mentioned.

Does it happen all of the time? Some people find that if they are constipated then this can happen, roughly because the urethra (the tube your urine comes down) or the neck of the bladder is 'compromised' - outflow obstruction, like pinching a hose pipe?

Anyway, what you need to do is ask your GP to refer you to a continence clinic. They will be able to investigate what is happening, refer you for more tests if need be, and/or organise some treatment for you.

Got to dash, children moaning but happy to answer more questions if that would help either here or by PM if you would prefer.

Important thing to say, absolutely do not feel embarrassed, I know urine and stuff like that can be hard to talk about but I promise you that health professionals will only be thinking about what they can do to help fix things xx

Nothing overalls useful to add I'am afraid, but just to say you aren't alone (my issues different so not relevant). Is much more common than you think and go to the doctor. The examinations were not as bad as I thought either so just to offer my support.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/Incontinence-urinary/Pages/Introduction.aspx - says to see your gp