The frustration of incontinence

[placeholdername]

I'm no psychiatrist or urologist but I figure'd i'd put this out there based on semi-related experience.  I used to suffer from night-time bedwetting up until I was about 18-20 or so.  I had no idea that there were medications for it, but eventually I did see a doctor and they put me on something called 'imipramine', which totally zapped it.  After 2-3 years of being on that I eventually went off of it and no longer have any problems (although who knows how things would go after SRS).  What's funny is that I recently learned that imipramine is actually the *original* anti-depressant, which in your case could possibly be a two-birds-with-one-stone kind of thing.

So, like I said, I'm no expert, but I figured I'd suggest talking to the urologist about it (unless it's already one of the things you've tried) because I know how terrible that whole situation can be.

[gothique11]

I'm no psychiatrist or urologist but I figure'd i'd put this out there based on semi-related experience.  I used to suffer from night-time bedwetting up until I was about 18-20 or so.  I had no idea that there were medications for it, but eventually I did see a doctor and they put me on something called 'imipramine', which totally zapped it.  After 2-3 years of being on that I eventually went off of it and no longer have any problems (although who knows how things would go after SRS).  What's funny is that I recently learned that imipramine is actually the *original* anti-depressant, which in your case could possibly be a two-birds-with-one-stone kind of thing.

So, like I said, I'm no expert, but I figured I'd suggest talking to the urologist about it (unless it's already one of the things you've tried) because I know how terrible that whole situation can be.

That's what the doctor just put me on. I got the prescription today. I'm really hoping it works.

I don't have any bed wetting problems; however, it happens when I'm walking, lifting, bending, etc. With the kegals, I usually  don't leak if coughing or sneezing. But, if I'm walking around, even if I try hard, I still get issues. *shrugs* I then, of course, there are situations where you can't be changing every 10 mins, then comes the infections, and then it gets worse.

I'm hoping the medication works.I think with less or no leaking, I'll have fewer infections and hopefully that will help things heal, too.

I did some research on impramine today, and I just kept running into sites that mention wetting the bed at night, but nothing talking about day time or stress incontinence. I'm hoping it works for the day for stress incontinence, even though I'm supposed to take it at night. o_0

[Steph]

UTI's are definitely a pain, one that affects most women at one time or another, and men can get them too but not nearly are common, due primarily to the design of their anatomy down there.  Some women get them more frequently than others but there are things we can do to help prevent them.

The biggest one is cleanliness.  Now please don't anyone dare take this personally, I'm just passing along info, info that everyone probably knows.  Our urethra is much shorter than males and as such bacteria has an easier time getting into our system, and female genitals are a great breading ground for the little buggers.  The skin folds are the perfect place for bacteria to develop; warm and cozy, nothing to bother them tucked away in soft comfy beds.

After a particularly nasty experience with a UTI, baby wipes became an essential item I now carry in my purse.  They do a great job of keeping one clean and fresh and gentle enough to use on a regular basis.  Of course there are alternatives such as "Always" feminine wipes and while I've used them I prefer the baby wipes - they are cheaper.

Ya, you probably all knew that.

-={LR}=-

[gothique11]

I'm pretty clean down there, I had to be -- but leaking all of the time also leads to UTI's.

But, OMG, these pills are working already! I woke up and I wasn't wet down there. I've been able to pee normally today, and I've had no leaks. Normally when I went to pee I'd be there for at least 10 mins 'cause I'd keep leaking after, and just when I thought I stopped, I'd stand up and leak some more. But none of that today at all, and I haven't even worn a pad today and there's been no sign of leaking at all.

I'm so happy. I've been jumping around my house so excited. It's like night and day. I feel a lot more confident as well.

I'm going to give it some time to be sure, but I think I'm going to be able to start working again (the bladder issues made working difficult and very miserable, and also limited what I could do and how much I could do). I'm excited. I feel like I can start living again.

And now that it's not constantly wet and leaky down there, I'm pretty sure things are going to heal better down there (I've had some delayed healing due to infections and everything being irritated down there constantly).

Yay, I don't have to live life in the bathroom anymore!

--natalie

[Janet_Girl]

I am so glad Natalie.  May you be leak free from here on out.



Janet

[sd]

But, OMG, these pills are working already! I woke up and I wasn't wet down there. I've been able to pee normally today, and I've had no leaks.

Woohoo!
I'm so glad it looks to be sorted. If it works this good this fast, I can only imagine it will only get better, but even if it just maintains this, I think you will be happy (it sounds like it!).

[Suzy]

Oh Natalie!

What a time you have had of this.  Honey I can't even imagine how difficult this must be for you.

I sure do hope the new med is the right one, and that this will be the final key to your recovery.

Hang in there, beautiful girl!

Kristi

[Audrey]

Thank goodness.  It must be such a relief to have your issue validated.  Glad to see that you made it past that part.  Things will work themselves out ill bet,  GOOD to see that that medication is starting to work too. 

It sucks that your doctor couldn't help you out with a referral on your insistence.  Can you get a new doctor?  It helps a whole lot to have a doc that listens to the patient. 

My doctors awesome and despite the fact that my insurance doesn't cover the clinic its worth it.  He filled my HRT prescriptions with only my say so as far as what dosages etc., on the first visit, without any letter or anything from my psycho-therapist. lol pun intended.  They're actually thinking about a trans clinic here, which will be a valuable resource, especially here in MT.

I have no medical advise, other than to say sometimes those so-called anti-depressants can just make it worse,

when i was taking paxil I had stress incontinence for at least a month after I stopped taking that stuff. 

[deviousxen]

I'm pretty clean down there, I had to be -- but leaking all of the time also leads to UTI's.

But, OMG, these pills are working already! I woke up and I wasn't wet down there. I've been able to pee normally today, and I've had no leaks. Normally when I went to pee I'd be there for at least 10 mins 'cause I'd keep leaking after, and just when I thought I stopped, I'd stand up and leak some more. But none of that today at all, and I haven't even worn a pad today and there's been no sign of leaking at all.

I'm so happy. I've been jumping around my house so excited. It's like night and day. I feel a lot more confident as well.

I'm going to give it some time to be sure, but I think I'm going to be able to start working again (the bladder issues made working difficult and very miserable, and also limited what I could do and how much I could do). I'm excited. I feel like I can start living again.

And now that it's not constantly wet and leaky down there, I'm pretty sure things are going to heal better down there (I've had some delayed healing due to infections and everything being irritated down there constantly).

Yay, I don't have to live life in the bathroom anymore!

--natalie

I told you it wouldn't last forever. You deserve this.

[gothique11]

no leaks all day, not even a drop -- I haven't had that in a year! And I even went out for a bit for coffee with a friend, then everyone was hanging out here after. I moved around lot, bent over, coughed, sneezed, stretched, jumped up and down. And even drank a better with my friends, 'cause you know if somethings gonna make you wanna pee is a beer -- but, no leaks at all and I went to the wash room fine. No leaking after the washroom, too. And it also seemed to get rid of my urgency triggers, rain (it rained today), the shower (it's annyoing to keep wanting to pee, and having to get outta the shower), and the dishes... water just makes me feel like I really need to pee, but I did all of that and didn't have an intense urge to go pee.

Awesome day. I kept checking and feeling to make sure ('cause I still couldn't believe it). Not one drop. I didn't even have to change my underwear that day (instead of the normal 3-5 changes... 'cause even with pads down there, they can get a bit wet and also pick up some of the smell.

I'm really impressed at how fast it worked. I never expected it to work that quickly and to last all day. Everyone was telling me I was much, much happier than they've been me in a long while.

[gothique11]

Today I went for an hour long walk, and I even did some jogging. I stretched. I bent over. No leaking. I cried. It's been a long time since I could go out and do things like that without having to worry about leaking. At least a year. That's a long time.

[placeholdername]

Today I went for an hour long walk, and I even did some jogging. I stretched. I bent over. No leaking. I cried. It's been a long time since I could go out and do things like that without having to worry about leaking. At least a year. That's a long time.

I'm so happy for you!  I can't imagine having the daytime problem like you had but I was so relieved when I could go to sleep at night and not worry about waking up in a pool of...  Sometimes it would happen multiple times a night, it was terrible.

Oh and the other thing is definitely stay away from coffee or iced tea or anything like that!

edit: I just checked up on the imipramine vs bedwetting specifics, and apparently they don't even *know* how it works, just that it does... so here's hoping it keeps working for you!

[sd]

That's wonderful Natalie. It sounds like things are really looking up for you finally. 

[Mister]

I'm glad you found a medication that's working for you!  Be aware, though, that nasty feelings of "Why the hell didn't they give me this a year ago?!?!" are probably going to creep up, if they haven't already.  Try to remain positive!

[Suzy]

Yay, Nat!!!!




Kristi

[V M]

Glad the script is working and things are getting better. Are you able to go normally when you should?

[gothique11]

I'm glad you found a medication that's working for you!  Be aware, though, that nasty feelings of "Why the hell didn't they give me this a year ago?!?!" are probably going to creep up, if they haven't already.  Try to remain positive!

I'm glad you found a medication that's working for you!  Be aware, though, that nasty feelings of "Why the hell didn't they give me this a year ago?!?!" are probably going to creep up, if they haven't already.  Try to remain positive!

Oh, believe me -- I'm wondering why the hell they didn't give this to me a year ago. Just think, I wouldn't be having yeast infections and UTI's all of the time, including an almost-monthly antibiotic treatment followed by a funguside (either pill, or that lovely grease you shove you your vagina). A very, very nasty cycle to have to go through. Leaking, then infection = worse leaking. Then you get better, you think the leaking's over, but it's not, then it gets worse and worse until you're running around with big, thick, incontinence pads and going for another round of doctors with another round of medication.

Rinse and Repeat!

Not not mention, having surgery and still haven't to deal with a bulge down there -- that plays with your mind a whole lot. Not wanting people to touch you down there, that also plays with your mind a lot.

I'm just hoping all of those infections haven't caused permanent damage. The meds are working like god came down and blessed me herself -- it's a miracle! Hallelujah!  Finally something that works.

Now, I can go around and feel normal. It's an awesome feeling. I also have been continuing my kegals to improve my strength and help everything heal internally.

I still feel like punching doctors in the face, although.

Post Merge: August 18, 2009, 12:18:26 AM

Glad the script is working and things are getting better. Are you able to go normally when you should?

yeah, for sure, I can pee normally -- I have all of the normal feelings when I need to go. Not one problem. And, if I really, really, really need to go and it hurts -- I'm not leaking all over on my way to the washroom (if I can find one asap). I tried it yesterday, no problems holding it in until I could get to the washroom. It's exciting! I'm no longer chained to the embarrassment of the toilet. No leaks. No pads. No problems. *Squee!* this is the way it should of been!

[V M]

Good deal. Glad things are better 

[deviousxen]

I still feel like punching doctors in the face, although.

Post Merge: August 18, 2009, 12:18:26 AM
yeah, for sure, I can pee normally -- I have all of the normal feelings when I need to go. Not one problem. And, if I really, really, really need to go and it hurts -- I'm not leaking all over on my way to the washroom (if I can find one asap). I tried it yesterday, no problems holding it in until I could get to the washroom. It's exciting! I'm no longer chained to the embarrassment of the toilet. No leaks. No pads. No problems. *Squee!* this is the way it should of been!

You have no idea how much I'd like to do that as well...

Hey you didn't heal me right! I'm going to bleed you!

[gothique11]

I'm still good, this is helping to lift my moods a lot.   I've even noticed that my vulva is looking better and healing better -- no infections so far, and everything even works better down there! *hops up and down*