Nannan2 - the Jude supplements seem to be worth a try, judging by some posters here and the positive reviews elsewhere. But you might enquire about Bulkomid- it's working for me so far, though I know there's no guarantee.
Judging by the number of ads for "pee pants" etc, leaking is a problem a lot of women have. People really shouldn't be embarrassed to talk to doctor about it. However, I think some maternity units in hospitals have incontinence clinics and specialist nurses, so it might be worth checking.
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Health
Stress urinary incontinence
(41 Posts)I’ve suffered from gradually worsening stress incontinence for many years. I initially tried the pelvic floor exercises, then asked my GP for referral to a physiotherapist and used one of those electronic gadgets. Another referral some years later to gynaecologist – urodynamic tests to confirm stress incontinence (there are other forms). That was in 2008 and at the time he suggested a few options -surgery was mentioned but I opted for more physio.
I did feel some improvement, but then would get a cold and the coughing set me back and I resigned myself to wearing increasingly absorbent pads – the Aldi ones are good and cheap! After a holiday last year, when I had that persistent cough that was going around, I was soaking through so many pads I kept having to buy more, then find bins to dispose of as I didn’t want to leave a big sack of sodden pads in the AirBnb we were staying in. I went back to GP and asked for another referral to gynaecologist (G). It took about a year to get the appointment, but it was worth the wait! Since my previous visit, G explained, the surgery had been mostly discontinued in Ireland, due to the safety concerns (though he said he’d not had problems and it was very effective). However, a new treatment had come out – Bulkamid – which he explained, involving injections of a gel into the lining of the urethra, narrowing the opening. He didn’t push it very strongly, but said it might help, and if not, I might be a candidate for surgery. Since it’s a day procedure, with no recovery time and very few side effects, I agreed to have it.
That was over 2 weeks ago and I’ve been delighted with the results so far! No pads, no pain, much fewer visits to loo. I’ve yet to test it with a cold/cough, but even if I have to wear a light pad if coughing a lot, it will be a huge improvement.
I searched Gransnet to see if anyone else had posted about this and only found one query from 2018, but not from someone who had had it. I think it’s relatively new, but here are some references for anyone interested.
www.yorkhospitals.nhs.uk/seecmsfile/?id=3074
www.bulkamid.com/patients/
Sorry should be pessaries.
Oestrogen suppositories (Gina) are available from your pharmacy or online if you don't want to discuss with GP. Cost £25-£30 for 12 weeks.
*Tena etc.
Ive had the urodynamic tests a few years back, and diagnosed with the mixed variety.Since taking me off the withdrawn oxybutynin theyve left me to my own devices to struggle with þena etc.
I will look up the Jude supplement but doubt i can take it as im on warfarin and theres so much i cannot take with it- even some vitamins and all herbal remedies etc.
I had Botox injections into the bladder 18 months ago. If I’m careful with liquid intake, like 1 litre a day, I have good control.
Healthspan also has a similar product - same ingredients I think. I'm awaiting my first delivery so will let you know how it goes
I had mesh surgery in 2011 and three “trimming” procedures since. Although I have no pain, the discharge produced by mesh protruding into the vaginal wall is distressing and irritating to the skin. I just posted to say I have only last week started using Everdries pants which are a hundred times better than pads, for me and the environment. And they’re very light and look like regular pants. I’m delighted with them. There are several companies doing them now. Worth a look unless you’re heavily incontinent.
Seagull 72 I think that is a brilliant idea!
I have problems with continence but won’t go to my GP and put up with it.I go out a lot less now because of it.
Men seem to think it’s funny,so puts you off discussing it with a male dr.
Thank you for your reply. I won't be taking them again then, even if they had helped, which they didn't that much. The dry mouth side effects were a problem too.
Not 'biotic' injections, 'botox' injections.
Serves me right for not proofreading my post before hitting 'submit'.
I have MS, and after the birth of my second child all the docs said my problems were related to childbirth.
I eventually got referred (10-11yrs later) to Neuro-Uro specialist who suggested biotic injections into the lining of the bladder. She told me that the effects of this can last anywhere between 9 &15 months.
I've now been having these injections every 17-18 months (apparently, I'm really lucky they last this long), for around 15yrs now.
So anyone who tells me they've got problems with incontinence of the bladder, I suggest reading up on this treatment to see whether it might be suitable for them. Everyone I know to have looked into it, been assessed and received the treatment, hasn't looked back because it's so effective.
Definitely worth looking into!
I don’t have stress incontinence but I do have to get up in the night several times which is exhausting me. I did look at Jude but was worried about taking any form of oestrogen having avoided eg being on the pill etc throughout my adult life. I did buy some pumpkin capsules and some soya milk to take but can’t help but feel it’s the oestrogen that is the important ingredient.
I have a prolapsed bladder and had incontinence. After years of wearing pads, I started doing yoga 3 or 4 times a week. A year later and I have strengthened my pelvic floor and only occasionally have an urgency leak, but I do not have to wear pads.
Im just a bit wary of their 'new' treatments for it, as they stuck me on oxybutinin pills for about 4years before G.P ringing to tell me they had withdrawn them due to causing altzheimers etc.
I had a total left hip replacement almost 6 weeks ago. I have had almost total urinary only incontinence. I was completely blindsided by it. On research, as you do, I found it is quite common, post this surgery. Post menopausal women and post total hysterectomy appear to be more vulnerable. I was prescribed Oxybutynyn which helped a little bit but not enough to continue. I will be progressing with my GP over coming weeks. Have looked at Jude supplements but cost is a major issue. I definitely don't want mesh surgery. It is very demoralising and upsetting.
I had the mesh op many years ago. The kead up to the procedure was awful - drink until the bladder us full hold, then empty in front of a name gynaecologist! Shaming and embarrassing.
The pro endure didn't work and I wear pads daily, and heavy duty pants if I get a cough!
Couldn't bear the thought of those horrible tests again so ticked the boxed that said "no prob" and kept funding Mr Tena!
Never heard of Jude or Bulkamid so maybe time to do some more research. Thank you.
I was writing my post at the same time as MadeInYorkshire so only just read about your really bad situation. Surely there must be some help for you - medically and toilet-wise? Maybe someone else here might be able to advise.
Some interesting comments here - glad I started this thread! There have been some threads previously on the topic, but most replies just focused on doing pelvic floor exercises, which don't work for everyone.
There are different kinds of incontinence - stress and urge are the most common, also mixed. What works for one type, may not work if yours is a different type. The Jude website mentions urgency and frequency but not stress incontinence.
If you get referred by your GP to a specialist or a clinic, (some hospitals have nurse/midwife-led clinics to deal with incontinence) you will most likely be sent for urodynamic tests. These are somewhat embarrassing, but designed to test your level of incontinence and what type you have. They also test bladder capacity and whether you empty completely when peeing. If you have urge incontinence, ("key in the door syndrome!") they may be able to measure involuntary bladder activity. In my case, it was definitely established that I had stress incontinence, so the Bulkamid treatment was appropriate. I'm not sure how well it would work for the urge type, which jools1 mentions but I don't have.
Before the procedure, I would go the toilet pretty often, as if I had even a partly full bladder, even walking could cause me to leak. Since the procedure, I don't have to pee nearly so often as I don't go "just in case".
Seagull72 - despite saying your GP is not very good, you should be able to ask for a referral to a specialist - it's usually a gynaecologist who deals with women's bladder problems. And some hospitals do have special clinics, but I think you have to be referred.
I was nervous about surgery, due to all the horror stories about mesh, but glad to hear it has worked for some of you at least. And that the Jude supplement has worked for others.
jools1
This is a really useful thread and great news for Farmor15, but does the procedure work for another type of incontinence- urge incontinence? I suffer from this type where I feel a sudden need to have a pee and I can't always delay it enough to get to the toilet! I've tried lots of things to deal with this - pelvic floor muscles, trying to switch my brain to thinking of something else but nothing really works. It really does effect everyday life and going on outings. Any advice from anyone?
I'm the same, although after having 10 pelvic floor repairs I am now rather 'disordered' down there!
It was determined that I had an 'unstable bladder' in 2010, that is also just over half the capacity of a 'normal' bladder (has anyone else done the 'TILT TABLE TEST'?? I wear pads 24/7 for a slight constant 'drip'.
My issue now, along with all that is that I also have a massive abdominal hernia, (think 8 months pregnant) so as soon as I stand up, my guts literally bounce on my bladder and I need to go NOW, and the pads are no use for that, any of them! . Sometimes rather than pee all my way to the loo leaving a trail behind me, it's easier to dive out onto my patio than cleaning the floors all through the house and strip myself off there. In any case when my loo blocks & floods I have to use the garden regardless, and I always have to use plastic bags for the other because I don't have the £700 (maybe more now?) to repair it, existing as I do on disability benefit, which shortly they'll be trying to take off me.
It's a wonderful life ...
Mine has got worse over the last few years particularly going up stairs. I wear a pad everyday which is a pain but I am terrified of accidents if I can't get to a toilet in time. Haven't been to see my GP as he is not very good. I think this can also be improved with oestrogen cream (again something I couldn't discuss with my GP) but I have found going to the gym and cycling on a fitness bike has improved it so I am hoping that this will work long term. Still try and do pelvic floor exercises daily. This is one of those issues that is not really discussed much so thank you for raising it. Much is discussed post-menopause but not for anyone over sixty. I really wish there was a clinic system for older women like the sexual health clinics.
Mrsdof I am with you on this. Had surgery 2009. The mesh was life changing after years of misery. No pain or problems either
This is a really useful thread and great news for Farmor15, but does the procedure work for another type of incontinence- urge incontinence? I suffer from this type where I feel a sudden need to have a pee and I can't always delay it enough to get to the toilet! I've tried lots of things to deal with this - pelvic floor muscles, trying to switch my brain to thinking of something else but nothing really works. It really does effect everyday life and going on outings. Any advice from anyone?
I’ve heard quite a lot about the pain that women have had with the mesh/tape procedure. I must have been one of the lucky ones because I had the mesh/tape bridge procedure about 20yrs ago and it has been brilliant. No more leakage when running, coughing or sneezing and certainly no pain 
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