Sort of time of life incontinence?

Mrswoo - I was told to pull up in 3 stages starting at the back 'output', middle, then front. 10 rapid ones followed by 10 slow ones. Slow ones you hold for 10 seconds, release, relax for three seconds. Repeat 3 times a day. It works for me.

Almost by accident I discovered that we have a Continence Clinic with an excellent specialist nurse. She even wears the Bristol Stool Chart on a lanyard around her neck! My neighbours weren't aware of the clinic either and were grateful to know.
The nurse was very thorough about every aspect of this irritating and embarrassing problem of ageing. She told me exactly how to do pelvic floor exercises correctly. Also she told me about rocking back and forth on the loo to avoid the unwanted 'encore'!
Why aren't Continence Clinics better known? Does every area have them?

I have had this problem for 2 years now and guess it's something to do with my undiagnosed ms. I also suffer from nocturia ( getting up several times at night to pee) I do find that waiting 10 seconds then continuing to pee works great. As my gran used to say " old age doesn't come by itself, it brings visitors "lol

I have just learnt two things. Firstly,that GN has a quote of the week and secondly, that my comment of 02/08/2017 11:16 on this thread is this week's quote.

As you were.

That's interesting, Franbern. I keep trying for better posture when I walk, as I do tend to slouch. I'll extend the exercise to my visits to the toilet!

Maybe he was right, Franbern , but for most women. Having a pee is the only time we ever get a chance to sit down, so it's little wonder we slump!

I can remember a nurse/sister once making us all laugh when she commented on a recent lecture she had attended. The Consultant there had said that one of the reasons that women have more problems in later life with regards to passing urine was not entirely due to having had babies. It was the way we sat on the toilet. Most of us sit down and then lean forward. This works against gravity, and if women would always sit on the loo with their back straight up, it would definitely help to prevent later problems.

O sluttygran you made me laugh out loud?

newquay

I get this problem, and am thinking of buying a dog - or a pet skunk.
I find that excessive gas is linked to constipation, and if you take steps to correct that, you might have a smaller 'carbon footprint', so to speak.
What glamorous topics we discuss! Cosmopolitan isn't a touch on Gransnet

I suffered forceps and third degree tears with all of my children. Have tried exercises without much success, for the last 10 years or so have had major problems. My male GP is spectacularly uninterested! But it does affect my quality of life and stop me doing certain things.

Oh the joys of getting older. . . . In addition to the wee problem (relatively minor for me) I have started to blow off all the time. I'm beginning to sound like a little old put put! We don't have a dog so I can't blame him for the smell either

What works for me is when I've finished I cough and more pee flows. I do this a few times until nothing runs

Sluttygran I had an abdominal ultrasound with very full bladder and was advised of a possible long waiting time - in the event I was seen very quickly as the X-ray staff were very sympathetic to my needs! I hope you are as lucky tomorrow.

Re: pelvic floor exercises, I remember being told at ante natal classes to imagine being in the middle of nowhere and desperate for the loo - and in order to prevent an "accident " to "pull everything up inside". Its always worked for me.

I do feel for you all - I suppose these problems are inevitable as we grow older, but it's very difficult.
I'm in a bit of a panic at the moment because tomorrow I have to go to hospital for an abdominal ultrasound scan. The letter states that 'Patients must attend with a VERY FULL bladder. Waiting time may be 1-2 hours'
Eeeeek! How can I possibly even have a very full bladder, let alone sit there for an hour or more?
Anyone else been faced with this upsetting procedure?

Pelvic floor exercises is a must at least twice a day, 3 times even better, you can do them standing, sitting or lying down.
Also you may have a slightly tilted womb, which means it is not until you stand up and the position of the womb changes that the left over urine flows out.
Get a referral from the doctor to see a specialist or in some area it is the incontinence nurse who deals with this.She teaches you all the perfect exercises. She will also measure by scanning your stomach whether you are emptying properly each time.

I am going to look into the Touch Sure I like the sound of that as it is hard to remember the exercises every day, but they really do help. Good luck

I am now on my 6th year of botox treatment to the neck of my bladder through constant leakage and it certainly works well for me,alway make sure you empty your bladder completly by the rocking method or similar as any urine left at the back of the bladder can become stagnent and cause infection.If things are bad get a refferrel to your Urology Dept and a specialist nurse will put you through the examination it takes about 30mins max and is well worth it.I go for my next top up next month my body tells me when its ready as I start feeling "unable to hold on" gradually towards the end of 12mths.

I find leaning back when I think I have finished weeing and taking a deep breath and expelling it slowly helps the remaining wee to make its way out.

Apart from that I advise never waiting just those few seconds more before going to the toilet, if possible go just before you really think you need to.

Exercises do help too.

My problems in that department started in my 40s - both urgency and leaking. More surgery than I care to remember so pelvic floor ruined. However finally I was prescribed a drug called Vesicare - 5mg a day - which has proved to be my miracle worker.

As for stopping mid pee my consultant hit the roof.! An absolute NO NO as the sudden back flow can damage kidneys - other professionals have told me this as well.

As my mother used to say, Old age doesn't come by itself but it's better than the alternative and not everyone gets the chance to experience it. Some food for thought.

Go onto the Kegel8 website, a company that sells various stim machines. You can even talk to someone who can give you all the advice you need. I have been using one for the past 4 months, 39 years after the difficult birth of my first child. Why did no-one tell us back then that the pelvic floor exercises needed to be done for the a rest of our lives??! Definitely don't stop the flow mid pee as this can lead to other problems. My very best wishes to you.

There's a neat little app called Kegel Trainer which I'm using at the moment as I'm waiting for prolapse surgery

I would get yourself referred to a physiotherapist too! !

Do get referred to a phyiotherapist. It takes time for the exercises to strengthen your muscles but it works (it also has other benefits ). Then make sure you keep on doing your exercises. My physio recommended Pilates too, I really enjoy the classes and as well as keeping the right muscles strong, I can lie down on the floor and get up again reasonably nimbly - bonus!

Just as you finish your pee, don't stand straight up but crouch over the toilet, you will find your pee will finish its flow. I have a prolapse so I often have that problem

I had a little private op called a TVT a number of years ago and have not leaked since. It was very successful for me.

I don't have a problem with this as I had a cystectomy in April and now have a pouch which I empty, I did on one occasion get ready to go out, did a last minute empty of the pouch and forgot to put the plug back in!! Result a quick wash and change and a bit late for my appointment. The other thing is when I'm tired and getting ready for bed, I go to the bathroom for the usual wash, teeth, etc and still on occasion sit on the toilet for a last pee forgetting it's not possible any more. Still there is the bonus of the night bag and I no longer have to get up in the night!!