Incontinence - when you have tried everything, what options are left?

[Jaggypinecone]

This has been bothering me for 15 bloody years now. I am now in my 50s. I am fit and healthy, very slim, never smoked, hardly drink alcohol, caffeine intake down to two cups a day at most.

Been to incontinence clinic, firstly it was urge incontinence where I'd feel the need when I got to front door, stood up to do anything. Drank lots of water to retrain bladder, pelvic floor exercises in abundance. It has never made a difference.

I cannot go out without protection. Now it's stress and urge incontinence. Back to incontinence clinic, been following pelvic floor exercise regime to the letter for last two months. I was also prescribed Contiflow. Again still no fucking difference. Sometimes I can go out and I'm fine. e.g. went on a run on Friday wearing Contiflow and got back dry. Today went on exact same run wearing it and I was soaking by the time I got back.

This is really getting me down. Nothing seems to work. What is wrong with me and what options do I have left?

When you say you've done PFEs - do you mean just self-guided? Or using an electronic muscle stimulator?

I was told to download an app called Squeezy. This reminds me to do them 6 times a day, for 5 slow hold and 10 quick squeezes. And it has a visual thing on your phone to assist. I suppose it is still self guided as there is nothing electronic being used.

I'd go to the docs and ask to be referred to a surgeon for surgery.

That's what I'm thinking is the only option left for me :(

You want one of these:

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003ESN9QW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o09_s00?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8

Once you've used one you'll understand why self-guided pelvic floor exercises do very little.

Thanks Boss - I'll give it a try. Could put it on my birthday pressie list - God the indignation!

I'm so glad I've stumbled across this thread. It's a real issue for me too, especially since having by youngest whose now 7. Had physio for it but it's not helped. Am definitely going to try the stimulator thing. Thanks for the suggestion x

The stimulator worked absolute wonders for me - stress incontinence after an op, nothing else worked, bought one of those on a recommendation from a French friend (French people very hot on pelvic floors) and have never looked back. It takes some time, and some getting used to, but after a couple of weeks there was a noticeable difference and 1 month later, problem solved.

I had a tape put in to fix my incontinence was the best thing I ever did and saw me through another pregnancy. I've had no issues whatsoever since.

It's bloody rubbish isn't it!

I found that going on the pill (to supplement my erratic estrogen production) helped enormously. Also Pelvic Floor Physical therapy was very helpful. Here's an article about it: ukhealthcare.uky.edu/obstetrics-gynecology/services/pelvic-medicine/pelvic-floor-physical-therapy

Thanks for this thread.

I have had an overactive bladder since childhood and now in my 30s.

Have you spoken to them about bladder Botox?

I've also recently started using 50mg Betmiga after always shunning medication as I didn't think it works but I've been really surprised by the positive difference it's made. I haven't had an accident since I went on it and normally I'd have a little bit daily.

I have my followup appointment with the pelvic floor physio this Thursday. I wish I could report to her glowing improvements but honestly there has been none, if anything it seems to have gotten worse, like the washer on a tap is wonky. Today I went to Bodypump and Body Balance, had to go to loo before, midway and after and hardly anything came out, then I stand up to wipe and a bit more leaks. It's as if there is some sort of obstruction that only irons out when I'm upright.

I'm generally ok if I'm sitting down or lounging around but as soon as I'm upright, it's an issue. I'm back on HRT and had hoped the extra oestrogen would help too but nada!

I've never heard of Betmiga????? Will go investigate.

Will keep you posted as to what is said to me on Thursday.

Apparently CBD oil helps. I think I'll go hang out the local skate park and see what I can score, perhaps getting wasted will help :D

Can you use those things if you have a coil @TheBossOfMe ? I'd be interested to know.

It seems surgery is a last resort as it doesn't always work and can be problematic.

OP Holland and Barrett sell a strong CBD oil

I had my bladder stretched it’s called a cystodistension. It didn’t work.....

Go to go back for more testings- urodynamics

Was thinking about getting innovo- that non invasive pelvic floor trainer but it’s very expensive!

Anyone on Betmiga be very careful, I have ended up with severe eye damage due to the drying up effect & am now on eye drops, gels & artificial tears for the rest of my life.

Ive used Betmiga and all the other mediations you can get. Still didn’t work

*medications

Has anyone actually used innovo by the way?

Hi jaggypinecone my symptoms are very similar to yours. Have you been examined for fibroid? As I have several including a very large one that protrudes slightly into my vagina and feel exactly the same when I go to the loo!
Unfortunately no other advice to offer I just manage with reusable cloth pads

GardnersDelight, no I haven't. But armed with such knowledge I shall ask at my next appointment, which unfortunately is now two months away at earliest as my appointment today got cancelled coz the physio was sick. FFS!!!!!! Still gives me another two month of futile exercises to prove my point [and thoroughly fucking fed up]

@GardenersDelight, thank you for even mentioning this. I've googled it and can't believe that it's never been considered by the various medics I've seen over the years as I have ALL the symptoms. I'm kinda hoping I have got some as that would explain it and then perhaps the right treatment could at last be given.

Good luck . I've decided to not have any treatment and hope once I'm through the menopause they'll shrink and cause less problems