Urine Issues -Can it get better?

[BumbleBeeLife]

Been having urine problems for years now - Finally plucked up the courage to go see GP (about a year ago) Explained my embarrassing problems with leaking urine, frequent uti's -which i have suffered since a teenager. i am now 52.

Also suspected prolapse. GP referred me to a urogynae who did an examination and said there wasn't a significant prolapse but would refer me to a physiotherapist that treats the pelvic floor and try some bladder training as my muscles were very weak. waited 7 months, In that time my symptoms became worse, tried the bladder training - did nothing, pelvic floor muscle training was really only a booklet and not any supervised -exercises The physio said there is not much else that she could do? apart from trying medication, but reluctantly said she would ask the nurses if i could be referred to do few bladder tests

I have recently had an appointment with a lovely nurse who did the bladder tests, firstly i had trouble emptying my bladder - then it took the nurse 3 attempts to inset the catheter? on the filling up part i could only hold a small amount- I had to stand up with a mat under my feet - it didn't take long to start leaking - i was so embarrassed as the nurse quickly put another mat on the floor, Anyway - i was told i have detruser overactivity. (And obviously incontinence)but will need to have an appointment with the consultant as he would like to see the results not sure when.... i have started taking a medication to help with symptoms - too early to see any improvements

Has anyone else had issues with bladder tests? i have a feeling that i have left my problem for too many years now, Any advice would be welcome

Try topical internal estriol cream
www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/genitourinary-syndrome-of-menopause#:~:text=GSM%20presents%20in%20women%20who,and%20can%20cause%20social%20embarrassment.

https://www.brighamandwomens.org/obgyn/urogynecology/genitourinary-syndrome-menopause

I am surprised that you haven't had any follow up appointments with the physio, and that she didn't check you were doing the exercises properly.
When I saw a physio she did an internal exam while I did the exercises so she was able to check I was doing them right and also how strong/weak the muscles were. I also was able to borrow a kind of TENS machine where you put a probe in your vagina and it makes the muscles tense up, and I she advised me to get a prescription for vaginal eostrogen.

You really do have to be rigourous doing the exercises 3 times a day. I notice a difference if I slack off for a few days.

I am going to see a consultant at the end of this month (a 9 month wait!) as things haven't improved as much as expected.

Don't be embarassed about it. You are dealing with professional people who have seen it all before and are really not judging you in any way.

@cestlavielife Thank you- I am using a estriol pessary for dryness- which defiantly do make a slight difference, Also should of said i am currently on Hrt. Hopefully the Consultant appointment wont be long 😊

@MagpiePi I am surprised too about pelvic floor physiotherapy, I had about 5 appointments with her over the year, But she only focused on bladder training- Filling in a bladder diary etc- which it did teach me to drink more fluids, ( and help with bowel issues too) which is all good but she defiantly rushed appointments so i couldn't bring up about my pelvic floor training. I tried really hard on exercises myself - only if i knew i was using the correct muscles. i am still doing them tho. I hope your appointment goes well for you and get a positive outcome. 😊

That's such a shame about your appointments being rushed.I think I was really lucky being assigned to a physio who was more than happy to talk about all kinds of things to do with incontinence, we had some quite in depth conversations about physiology and cognitive aspects.

Is it worth you going back and trying to see a different physio, or even having a private consultation? The physio I saw on the NHS also works privately; I only found out by accident when I was looking for a physio for a back issue, it's not like she was pressuring me to see her privately!

I do we can both get things sorted. It can be so draining (😂) to be like this.

@MagpiePi do you mind sharing who your physio is pls (on here or by private message)? I'd really appreciate a recommendation

@MagpiePi was it a specialised pelvic floor physio you saw privately? I was referred by my GP a ok by ago and have been told it’s a 2 year wait for continence services and a 35-55 weeK wait for physio on the NHS so looking at going private just want to make sure I go to the right place

Bit late, and you may already be sorted, but I saw Debbie Dillon. She is based on the south west, but does do private sessions over teams. I found her really helpful

Hi pp's, you need to Google pelvic physio or women's physio near you.

I see someone every couple of months to keep on track, she always does internal exercises with me.

I pay £65 for 45mins.

OP, you should see if you can afford it to pay for a one off with a women's physio. There are loads of them out there.

She will test your pelvic muscles internally.

Then once she is confident you are doing them correctly you can use the squeeze app to remind you.

I also reccomend the following people on the Internet to follow:

Kassie Dewitt
Lauren OHayon
Kelly Casperson (amerucan uro-gynae)
Belly whisperer

Also look out for more than just kegels.

Make sure you rub the estriol cream on your urethra too.

If you can afford a private consultation with a consultant I can recommend two v good uro-gynaes in the south/southwest.