How do you cope with Overactive Bladder/Urge incontinence?

Posted by ainsleigh @ainsleigh, Mar 10, 2021

Does anyone have suggestions on how to cope with overactive bladder and urge incontinence? Are there any meds that can help without causing unwanted side effects?

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@jeanne5009

You are my hero! At 85 you prove that with a good spirit, knowledgable specialists we can still have a life. And a sense of humor too!

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@jeanne5009 Aw, thankyou so much for elevating me to hero status! Lol. You've made my day.
I think sometimes all I have left is my sense of humor, but I also believe that's a very important thing to have as we travel this journey toward easier times. Take care.

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@maflynn777

Thank you.... just nervous since I don’t have sex and the area is pretty sensitive... sorry for the graphic language. I’ll try the washed glove and put as much as I can.
Thank you again....

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I hope people on this thread are not offended. I believe by sharing our own personal situations, others that are too shy can get real info. This subject is very common and there are many who are eager to learn what others are going thru. By sharing we can help the medical profession to develop what we need to be comfortable. I am sure our coordinators can guide us as well.

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@maflynn777

Thank you.... just nervous since I don’t have sex and the area is pretty sensitive... sorry for the graphic language. I’ll try the washed glove and put as much as I can.
Thank you again....

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Just be careful, you don’t need a lot of cream. Pea size in the tip of your finger is fine. These estrogen creams are strong.

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@jeanne5009

I hope people on this thread are not offended. I believe by sharing our own personal situations, others that are too shy can get real info. This subject is very common and there are many who are eager to learn what others are going thru. By sharing we can help the medical profession to develop what we need to be comfortable. I am sure our coordinators can guide us as well.

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@jeanne5009
Hi,
I am glad you mentioned that. No one should feel offended. Back in my day certain things were not talked about which was such a disservice to young girls growing up to be young women. You just have to look at TV commercials to see how far we have come about how we view the human body. I think young boys got more information than we did. As you said, bladder control is so common....that’s why there is an entire aisle of bladder control products in the stores. I blame the medical provider for the fact that someone has to come on this forum to ask how to use a prescription cream. That provider should have explained the process in detail and should certainly have sensed from the patient’s demeanor if she was reticent about asking questions. I love Nurse Practitioners because they will treat you as a whole individual and take the time to make you comfortable. I love the fact that those who responded here have developed different coping strategies.

This is the place to ask people who are in similar circumstances.. I wish I had some information about treatment for men so I could share that with @newhorizons. @artist01 ....I love anyone who can maintain a sense of humor through adversity ....you were probably born with it. I also love the picture of you with that healthy plate of food and a glass of wine (both passions of mine).

So ask away and do research to make us better educated about our bodies. You can be as anonymous as you want and be assured that our comments are monitored for any inappropriate content.

FL Mary

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I am pretty sure that the young boys of my youth did not get anymore information about the function of their genital parts as did young girls. They boys may have gotten more street information at that time.
Could it be that many doctors, specifically if they are guys, not really know how to apply such creams, and thus cannot train their patients how to use them? This is the reason why I try to see female providers, when female body parts ar involved.
I think it would be best for @newhorizons. @artist01 to talk with a urologists, because they are mostly specialized on the male urinary tract system

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@colleenyoung Thankyou Colleen. Good information for me, too. I just deleted 314 from two days' messages! I had been interested in following more of the groups, but I've unfollowed a few today. More manageable again.

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Ashleigh , yes there is a "drug" I've found ta' really help with that " those issues".. I'm currently dealing with treatments for both Prostrate & Bladder Cancers (unrelated to each other) The latter involves cathitors going in & out on a weekly basis that hav' only intensified those issues... My PCP prescribed "Oxybutynin" , 5 mg @ 2 tablets x 2 times a day..! It REALLY, REALLY , helped with making some sort bladder
"control" actually possible. The "leakage", urges & continuous frequency ( i'd had been better off ta' just hav' moved into the bathroom , but the seat is too hard & the TV is too big ta' fit , lol) had become just unbearable.. Once I felt the sudden urge within only min. apart , I couldn't stand up or make the 5 steps to the "john" without a "accident"...! Shields and/ or adult diapers didn't fair well as it's impossible to know if wuz' gonna' be alittle or alot... The "Oxybutynin" in combination with "Flowmax" , actually made it possible for me to hold & go for much longer enough periods that I actually am able to go places WITHOUT hav'in ta' wear only black pants...!
Good Luck with your quire....!

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@glgraham

Ashleigh , yes there is a "drug" I've found ta' really help with that " those issues".. I'm currently dealing with treatments for both Prostrate & Bladder Cancers (unrelated to each other) The latter involves cathitors going in & out on a weekly basis that hav' only intensified those issues... My PCP prescribed "Oxybutynin" , 5 mg @ 2 tablets x 2 times a day..! It REALLY, REALLY , helped with making some sort bladder
"control" actually possible. The "leakage", urges & continuous frequency ( i'd had been better off ta' just hav' moved into the bathroom , but the seat is too hard & the TV is too big ta' fit , lol) had become just unbearable.. Once I felt the sudden urge within only min. apart , I couldn't stand up or make the 5 steps to the "john" without a "accident"...! Shields and/ or adult diapers didn't fair well as it's impossible to know if wuz' gonna' be alittle or alot... The "Oxybutynin" in combination with "Flowmax" , actually made it possible for me to hold & go for much longer enough periods that I actually am able to go places WITHOUT hav'in ta' wear only black pants...!
Good Luck with your quire....!

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Appreciate information.

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@imallears

@jeanne5009
Hi,
I am glad you mentioned that. No one should feel offended. Back in my day certain things were not talked about which was such a disservice to young girls growing up to be young women. You just have to look at TV commercials to see how far we have come about how we view the human body. I think young boys got more information than we did. As you said, bladder control is so common....that’s why there is an entire aisle of bladder control products in the stores. I blame the medical provider for the fact that someone has to come on this forum to ask how to use a prescription cream. That provider should have explained the process in detail and should certainly have sensed from the patient’s demeanor if she was reticent about asking questions. I love Nurse Practitioners because they will treat you as a whole individual and take the time to make you comfortable. I love the fact that those who responded here have developed different coping strategies.

This is the place to ask people who are in similar circumstances.. I wish I had some information about treatment for men so I could share that with @newhorizons. @artist01 ....I love anyone who can maintain a sense of humor through adversity ....you were probably born with it. I also love the picture of you with that healthy plate of food and a glass of wine (both passions of mine).

So ask away and do research to make us better educated about our bodies. You can be as anonymous as you want and be assured that our comments are monitored for any inappropriate content.

FL Mary

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Just want to say thanks to all who responded-you are greatly appreciated. The Dr. put me on Oxybutynin twice dailly but so far it
does not seem to be helping .I am disappointed but will have to keep up the search. It means a lot to share our struggles!
Ainsleigh

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