Troubled

[sad old git]

Hi. Since my 80th birthday I have started to have bladder incontinence problems.I do realise that my age is a major factor and I have tried several types of incontinence pads via the internet with some varied success which is ok as long as I wear black trousers which cover the embarassing damp stains. My question is, is there any kind of medication that can make this problem more controllable. In fairness I have to admit to a drink fairly often and I know this is part of the problem but if any of you good people have any advice it will be greatly appreciated.Thanks S.O.G

[Smowball]

Have you actually spoken to your doctor at all?

[tinkerbell23]

I work in urology and yes this can be a thing with age BUT you dont have to suffer - please see your GP you could have plenty of options..... cathaters are not routinely used for incontinence- perhaps a urosheath?

Good luck x

[Smowball]

Hello Tinks! You're up late!

[Sqad]

SAG......."medication" will depend upon the cause of your incontinence and only medical examination and possibly investigation will determine this.
At your age, weak bladder muscles or perhaps the result of a nerve problem, stroke or other conditions of the nervous system must be taken into consideration but to be quite honest, "medication" for these conditions is doubtful.
However if your incontinence is due to an enlarged prostate gland then non -surgical methods involving tablets to ease your incontinence,are available.
See you GP for a diagnosis

[Khandro]

If it's as sqad says, an enlarged prostate gland (you probably need to see a urologist via your doctor to establish that) you can have a TURP operation to reduce the size of the prostate. Actually I'm going for a pre-op check with the surgeon today at noon and will have the operation tomorrow - I'm not much younger than you.

[Old_Geezer]

Well, one learns something every day. In my experience an enlarged prostate (I assume that's the cause) is causing problems going rather than vice versa.

[Sqad]

O_G.....yes you are quite correct, urgency and frequency are common symptoms of an enlarged prostate, but incontinence is probably as common and is due to "overflow".....like a sink....the drain gets blocked (prostate)and the sink overflows (incontinence).

[anneasquith]

Don't just accept you're problem because of you're age, have a word with gp/practice nurse practitioner. Good luck .

[cupotee2]

My other half has a "huge" prostate, as described by the nurses and Urologist. He takes a little pill each night thats working wonders. Over a few months he's gone from getting up 5-6 times a night to no more than 2..he is middle 80's and had a TURP op to remove a low grade bladder tumour last year.

Please see your GP. He or she will be able to help you.

[Mamyalynne]

Also Sog, you mention ' a drink fairly often', if you think that may even a part in this please don'e be afraid to ask for some help from GP.

Nothing you say is going to shock them or be new and there is help out there.

[Khandro]

I've just returned (Fri. Lunchtime) from having my operation which took place on Wednesday morning in Tübingen University Hospital. Instead of having the TURP I had the very latest procedure which instead of using a laser uses steam and is called “transurethral vaporization”: in which the cells turn into steam under the effect of heat instead of paring away at them, its abbreviation is TUVP rather than TURP.
Absolutely fabulous and problem-less, I feel great!
Just thought I'd let you know.

[Mamyalynne]

Good news Khandro.

[Sqad]

Khandro....;-)

[Khandro]

Thanks. Pasting this in from a email I've just sent to a friend who is a doctor and who wanted me to keep him informed;

"....everything went just as I was told it would. The last thing I remember before the procedure was the anaesthetist, - a bit of a wag, (as they all seem to be), said what’s your profession ? I said “artist”, he said, painting ? I said “yes,” he said abstract? I said “no”, he said erotic? and all the women assistants laughed and I didn’t have the chance to answer - I was 'gone'. The next thing that I noticed was waking instantaneously with a beautiful nurse’s face looking down on me, I said “success?” and she said, “success!”, and I said, "ausgezeichnet!" (excellent) – to more female laughter.
So it began and ended with laughter, and I feel great, what more could I want? ".

[Mamyalynne]

Sounds just right.