Incontinence

[ZenaJ]

Hi lovely ladies. Just a quick question. Have any of you had trouble with incontinence and is it part of things we have to put up with after having surgery? Best wishes to everyone. x

[Frenchhouse3]

Hi Zena, I do suffer from it, though quite mildly. Definitely brought on after surgery I’d say. We did go through a lot at that time which is bound to have an effect.

I find avoiding too much caffeine helps.

Love

Denise xxxxx

[ZenaJ in reply to Frenchhouse3]

Thanks Denise, I've given up coffee because I couldn't get to the end of the road (not literally) without wanting a wee. I find when I do go, I'm desperate but nothing much happens. I wasn't sure if it is old age. Considering all I'm saying, it's not a subject I like talking about. x

[Frenchhouse3 in reply to ZenaJ]

Hi Zena, maybe see your GP as they might be able to offer advice and give you a quick check up?

I find that using an oestrogen pessary for a couple of weeks every so often really helps too.

We’re so prone to low level UTIs after radical surgery plus getting older of course.

The dose is minuscule but so helpful I find.

Xxxxx

[ZenaJ in reply to Frenchhouse3]

Thank you. I've never heard of an oestrogen pessary so I'll look into that. It's all been a bit of a nuisance but thought it was something I'd have to put up with. At least I know where every toilet in every local town is now. lol. xx

[Frenchhouse3 in reply to ZenaJ]

Likewise Zena!

Yes, the pessaries definitely help me with incontinence probs and general soreness which I get from time to time. I think they’re called Vagisil.

Xxxxx

[ZenaJ in reply to Frenchhouse3]

I've heard of that one. I used to work in a pharmacy dispensing prescriptions. You think I'd know better. lol. xx

[Frenchhouse3 in reply to ZenaJ]

Ah, I just checked ( home from hols last night and it’s Vagirux ).

[ZenaJ in reply to Frenchhouse3]

Thank you x

[Lizzieanne]

Do make sure you dont have a UTI I get them a lot and dont always presebt wirh stinging/burning. X

[ZenaJ in reply to Lizzieanne]

Thank you. I'm almost hoping I have so I can get something done about it. x

[Boot1947]

Yes, I do, but my pelvic floor muscles are not what they were! Am resigned to pads and period pants - at least products have improved. Still not a subject people talk about much. Deb x

[ZenaJ in reply to Boot1947]

Thanks Deb. It all very embarrassing especially as I didn't quite make it home once. Thank goodness I had a coat on. xx

[Boot1947 in reply to ZenaJ]

In the ‘early days’ post-surgery, I was referred everywhere, including gynae physiotherapist (who knew?). Hold-up mesh was mentioned, but there had been so much adverse publicity about mesh that I gave it a miss. I don’t know where you live, but Wilco stores (now defunct) used to do 20 pads for 75p. Now I have to get Always pads in bulk - not cheap - delivered from Amazon. I dread being one of those old ladies who smells of wee!! No wonder nobody talks about incontinence. xx

[Keys2theworld in reply to Boot1947]

I've found the night time dribble SO embarrassing. Especially if I go into a fit of coughing. My bed has been wet twice this week and I wear a pad at all times. Maybe someone can suggest a more effective pad ? I'm using Always just now but it's not enough for nights any more.I too dread of smelling of pee !

[Boot1947 in reply to Keys2theworld]

I use Always Long 5. I think you can get higher absorbency though. Sooooo expensive. The mark-up must be enormous!

[Keys2theworld in reply to Boot1947]

Yes, so do I. Asda charges £2.50 for 10 packet currently. I think I'll check out the pants, as heavily advertised on TV at the moment. I'm not sure if they are all in 1 ? Or single use ?But they are expensive !

[Boot1947 in reply to Keys2theworld]

I also recommend ‘period pants’ - very comfortable.

[Keys2theworld in reply to Boot1947]

Are they single use the pants ? Or does the pad go inside them. Making you feel safer so to speak.Thank you.

[Boot1947 in reply to Keys2theworld]

The pads just stick to the thicker gusset, for added safety. Primark do some nice ones (pack of three assorted) which are cheaper than M&S.

[Keys2theworld in reply to Boot1947]

Thank you for that useful information. Very interesting and good to know.

[Phoebe1962]

I was told to do pelvic floor exercises after my operation which helped enormously. No in continence anymore .

[ZenaJ in reply to Phoebe1962]

That's good. I have done some pelvic floor exercises but probably not enough. Thanks Phoebe. x

[Phoebe1962 in reply to ZenaJ]

I did them twice a day whilst cleaning my teeth, for 3 minutes each time. And for 3 months. I do them a couple of times a week now x

[ZenaJ in reply to Phoebe1962]

I really should put more effort in. x

[Katmal-UK]

Hi, have a word with your dr. Sometimes you can have a UTI that has no symptoms but does have the effect you are experiencing.

[ZenaJ in reply to Katmal-UK]

Thanks. Hope you're okay. x

[Katmal-UK in reply to ZenaJ]

Doing well thanks Zena, hope you get a resolution x

[ZenaJ in reply to Katmal-UK]

Thanks. Because it's so difficult to get to see a GP, I wonder if it's worth the bother. I know that's not the attitude. I've had a funny throat for ages and my voice keeps going weird, I've done nothing about that either. So different to a few years ago when I was going to the GP with the slightest little thing because I thought it might be another cancer. x

[Katmal-UK in reply to ZenaJ]

I’m the same to be honest. At the mo tho I’ve had a recurrent UTI but the drs are looking into it tho UTIs are a side effect of the Olaparib I’m on.

[ZenaJ in reply to Katmal-UK]

After what we've all been through, it's a small thing really. x

[Katmal-UK in reply to ZenaJ]

Definitely x

[Trickysite]

After my huge 4B operation three years ago, (NED) since, I find my bladder muscles seem to allow a slow trickle on the loo rather than the powerful gush I used to have. I always sit and wait for gravity to allow as much out as possible. as I think complete emptying is probably a good thing but always spend longer in the loo than anyone else for a wee. At one time, I had repeat UTIs and they couldn't identify the germ (not unusual). I was given the same antibiotic each time and it kept returning after a little while. Eventually, the bug showed up on a test and the right antibiotic was given and I have been fine for years. So, if you get repeats, keep nagging for a test and with luck the right germ will eventually be identified! Emma x

[Bandung]

Yes I have overactive bladder, however I already had urinary frequently, No infection at all since before my radical surgery.So it might not because the surgery. I though my overactive bladder would be gone after the surgery, but its not effect. I still have it many years my surgery and continue after the surgery. I am not sure my overactive bladder is related with the surgery or not. GP had test my urine and never have any infection.

I am taking medication mirabegron 50mg betmiga, vagifem estradiol and still has no improved anything yet.

I am on waiting list to see the eurologist at the hospital at this moment.

[ZenaJ in reply to Bandung]

Thanks for replying. I hope you get your problem sorted out soon. It's more of an inconvenience than anything. I know these sort of things can happen when we're getting older but at the same time I've heard we shouldn't have to put up with it.

Our NHS is under a lot of stain with thousands on waiting lists. Minor things can take years to get sorted out. I'm thinking of putting my name on the waiting list for a new hip just in case I need one in the next ten years. Only joking but things here are that bad. x

[Bandung in reply to ZenaJ]

Thanks for your message. I have that problem since I was 35 year old. I may try to look for a private urologist because I don't know how long to wait to see NHS urologist.

[ZenaJ in reply to Bandung]

I hope you can get some help with it x

[Cheka123]

yes

[Alentejo]

Interesting chain of comments. I had a UTI at the end of August. As i had never had it before, i thought the cancer was back or it was a bladder prolapse because i hadn't kept up with regular pelvic exercises! I went to A&E and was seen within the hour. It was the bank holiday weekend. Who would have thought that sick people don't go to A&E on bank holiday weekends! The doctor identified it as an UTI. A month and half later it was back. I went to A&E again but this time i spent 7 hours there - the usual show of coughs and police officers dragging people in handcuffs and the underworld... Anyway, all this to say the nurse that administered my last treatment told me to call the emergency department within the oncology centre next time. They would see me as it wasn't wise to go to A&E. Like you, I thought going to the GP was a painful undertaking so i ended up going to A&E. So, perhaps you could try that if available to you.

I'm not sure why we are particularly susceptible to UTIs. I thought it was due to a weaker immune system induced by the medication. My sister told me to be particularly careful when using communal toilets. They are very easy to catch apparently!

I do pelvic/core yoga exercises everyday and find they are doing wonders for my abdomen.

[ZenaJ in reply to Alentejo]

That's interesting. I always thought it was getting older and then I thought it was because I'd had a catheter because that's when it first started. I've always been one to talk myself into things without knowing anything about it. Any, since my operation in 2013, I've continually leaked from somewhere. I now resort to wearing a pad of some sort every day. It seems to be the only thing I can do.

It's been interesting reading other ladies experiences.