Urinary incontinence

[hennipenni]

Please help, this is depressing me. I’m 52 years old, have a cystocele (grade 3-4 I think) and waiting for a gynaecologist appointment.
I’m doing my pelvic floor exercises, don’t drink alcohol, I’m caffeine free, avoiding spicy food etc, and drink plenty of fluids, but my incontinence has got worse.
I often don’t feel the need to have a wee until I’m absolutely desperate and then often don’t get to the loo on time (this has got much worse in the last couple of weeks) I also suffer from stress incontinence as well.
I have a telephone consult with my GP next week bit not sure what I should be asking for.
I work full time and due to the nature of my job I can’t predict when my next toilet break will be. This issue is really getting me down and is affecting my mental health too.

I have a telephone consult with my GP next week bit not sure what I should be asking for.

Your GP should lead the conversation once you explain how awful this is for you.

There are several options

women's physio- to make sure your exercises are done correctly and possibly using electrical devices with the physio

medication for the urge incontinence to stop you rushing to the loo

assessment of your bladder to decide if you have mixed incontinence, loss of muscle tone etc

surgery for your prolapsed bladder. (Grade 3-4 wold mean it was bulging right out side your vagina.)

TBH doing pelvic floor exercises won't help THAT much if you have a severe bladder prolapse- it needs surgery.

Thank you for your reply JingleHellsBells, I definitely feel the cystocele outside of my body, especially when I’m standing up.

I’m feeling more positive since reading your reply. I’m going to investigate a women’s physio and go privately I think.

Hopefully I can have medication for the urge incontinence as this is the thing that really affects my daily living, work and social time.

If it's that bad surgery is the answer- rings are usually for very old ladies who can't have an anaesthetic or don't want surgery. Surprised you have been offered that and not an op to fix it!

The drug they offer for urge is Vesicare.

Sorry- confusing you with the other poster today who has a similar issue as was offered a ring pessary!