Incontinence..

Anya,
I'm 53 - sorry, only just saw your question.

Good grief the thought of having Tena pad 'other brands are available'memory foam mattress has just about made me wet myself.

Just for the record advertising bods on the TV these are not 'oops moments' as you so quaintly put it they are 'Niagara Falls' minutes. I'm not sure how those 'whoops moments' would be glamorised.

I keep the bales of pads under the bed! Have had a bad time recently with a violent cough which tests any barrier. Huge sympathy for all my fellow 'Tena ladies' - other brands are available!

I know that this is true MissC as several older friends now won't go away on holiday because of the possibility of wetting beds. It has certainly limited their enjoyment of retirement.

The NHS incontinence service is great providing that you have plenty of storage space. The pads are delivered every four months in rather large boxes. I recently moved to a flat and just don't have the storage space. My incontinence nurse was brilliant and advised me that they keep an eye on prices and that currently Wilkinson have the cheapest.

I find the whole incontinence thing embarrassing but as this is pretty much anonymous 'in for a penny in for a pound'. I can't always feel when my bladder is full and when I stand up gravity comes into play the pads just can't cope with the deluge.

The effect of incontinence on a persons confidence and quality of life should not be underestimated.

I am 56 and several years ago I became doubly incontinent due to neurological damage.

Can I ask your age MissAdventure?

Our Continence nurse is wonderful, busy but never rushes anyone and so supportive and positive. I've told several neighbours to ring her for an appointment. Maybe it's as one gets older but I've gradually found that people do talk about this issue. References to being a Tena lady or to pelvic floor exercises pop up in conversation.

Incontinence is a common problem but certainly is not something that we should accept as a normal part of the ageing process. There are many reasons / causes for urinary incontinence and i would urge you to go and see your GP to discuss the problem. GP's are used to dealing with these issues and are sensitive to the delicate nature of this subject nowadays. Please don't suffer in silence.

I agree about going to ask for help from your GP.
I have leaks when coughing, sneezing, making an effort.
I have a friend who also had leaks from the anus - turned out to be an anal prolapse, common with older women, and can be managed with medical help.

You can asked to be referred by your GP to your local Continence nurses who will assess you eventually (they are usually very busy) and if they find you need pads (they have a range of other strategies to try first) they are available free on the NHS.

I can remember that.

Thanks Tanith,
I do need to tackle it head-on, I think. I've been doing my pelvic floor exercises (the ones that nobody notices, apart from the fact that my eyebrows raise!)

MissAdventure don't put up with it your GP will of dealt with lots of people with the condition. I know how debilitating it can be please don't suffer in silence.

I would have mentioned that to a friend, especially after she'd been so open about the problem!

Yes, ana, I was wearing mine, that's why I kept quiet!

Perhaps you should both invest in some Tena Lady products. Surely you've seen the tv ads?

Tanith,
Thank you. I'm aware that being overweight and smoking are major issues to tackle for myself: I was just surprised that my slim (and much younger friend) was so comfortable to just tell it how it is.

I had stress incontinence after 3 big babies in my 20s, I had lots of tips and exercises/physio to try to cure it but eventually I had a keyhole repair surgery and have never had a problem since.
There is lots of advice about things you can try to help, it isn't something you need to suffer there are things you GP might recommend and as a last resort surgery. Please don't suffer see your GP about it.