Incontinence help

Sorry Jamesie with what you're going through.

While you are peeing, can you stop mid stream? This is a very good way to find the right muscle to contract. It's possibly not a good way to exercise as it might cause retention if you repeatedly do it, but OK to try occasionally to make sure you have identified the right muscle, and to see how well it's working (by how quickly you can shut off the flow mid stream).

You appear to know some of the things that make you leak, so something to try is to do a pre-contraction before and while you stand up, and see if that prevents the leaking. Same with coughing, etc, and this will become instinctive.

Alcohol and caffeine are possible bladder irritants which if you are sensitive to them, will cause urgency (the sudden need to go before your bladder has filled up). That isn't the symptom you described, so it might not be necessary to give them up, but it does no harm to try these things out just to check.

You can ask for an appointment with a pelvic health physiotherapist. These specialise in muscle control relating to continence and can check you are doing your pelvic floor exercises correctly. They can also do more detailed measurement of the effectiveness of your sphincters if they think this is useful, e.g. if they suspect your sphincter isn't working correctly.

Also, if you're not getting the pads prescribed and find them expensive, ask your GP if you can have them on prescription. They will likely refer you to the local continence service, although this is a bit of a postcode lottery. Also, what you can get on prescription (if anything at all) might not be what you'd choose to use.

Thanks for your comments, I have a appointment with the continence nurses in a couple of weeks. The pads they have already given me to try,tbh aren't up to the job. I can stop my pee mid stream. I'm off for my post operation appointment with the surgeon tomorrow I will mention seeing a physiotherapist as you suggested. I don't think I've had a completely full bladder yet,which is annoying. Thanks again.

Jamesie, I don't think everyone understands how much of an issue incontinence is and that includes me. I was fortunate to be 99 percent dry 4 days after my post op catheter removal. Due to a stricture I had numerous operations but always managed to regain my continence after the procedures.

On Tuesday they had another excursion into my bladder and replaced my suprapubic catheter, unfortunately the replacement was not put back in the right place. Yesterday I filled  six pads with around 150 mls of urine a time before getting the catheter changed at three o clock. I now fully understand the frustration that guys like you are going through. 

It is yet another side effect that is played down, I hope your situation improves sooner rather than later.

Thanks Chris 

Hi there.

I really know what you are going through as it was the same for me. I am 2 years now post op and am 68.  I am pretty much dry now and just wear a protector in the day  to give me confidence. At night I wear a pad but don't really need to it is just  safety net.  It did take a while to control it . It was awful at the time after my op but it did  get better. I can remember being really down and totally depressed by the leaking but you just have to try and be laid back about it. You will be fine in the end I am sure. Keep doing the pelvic floor exercises though. Loads of women have to do them everyday so maybe we should not complain too much. 

Trust me it will improve and you will be Ok. Hope things improve soon.

Be positive as it will get better.