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Interested in how other caregivers survive

Caregivers | Last Active: Aug 4 11:08am | Replies (123)

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@terry1976

Are you on her paperwork as a POA for medical stuff and on the HIPPA release at all the doctor's offices? Yes, women have been given short shrift in addressing the urinary incontinence, often seeing male doctors trained by malemptying doctors, on male patients.
My mom had leakage issues (7 pregnancies, 6 live births) and likely had pelvic organ prolapse issues, and no pelvic muscle tone left.
She was taking 2 urologist prescribed meds (the names escape me) One was an a.m. dose of a diuretic, to help her release/relieve/empty her bladder during the day. The other was prescribed for bedtime use, to help her keep dry. She (college educated, lab scientist) did not read or retain the information from the package inserts so she was taking both meds at the same time of day. No way they would work as prescribed--they were in direct competition with each other.
The other thing with women, as our reproductive hormones are responsible for so many functions, is that we can develop genito-urinary syndrome of menopause. It used to be called "vaginal atrophy" Essentially, as estrogen hormone levels drop the tissues of the vulva, and vagina, aren't maintained in the same robust manner and especially as we age, that can irritate and exacerbate the urethra (the tube from the bladder to outside the body) Now they recommend all women use external estradiol (cream or suppository) til the end of life, so those tissues can be maintained in a healthier manner.
You could try to find a uro-gynecologist for her care--to have someone who specializes in womens health in the genito-urinary system.

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Replies to "Are you on her paperwork as a POA for medical stuff and on the HIPPA release..."

Thanks for your comments. I am HCPOA and on release forms. I did get her to a female gynecologist a few months ago, but my mom didn’t like her and won’t go back. Trying to find another one. They were not sensitive about her having to get up on the exam table. Not everyone is spry like a 20 year old. Anyway, I didn’t get a chance to speak with her…long story.

My mom has medication anxiety and it’s almost impossible to get her to take meds. I’ve begged her to get prescription for Estradiol, but she refuses. I use it and am glad I discovered it. It’s a shame how women’s health is treated or not treated.

I read somewhere that a woman would need 6 depends a day if fully incontinent and she must be doing much more. That’s why I’m so curious.