Ladies loo problem

[Deleted User]

boinged for rubbermedic

[Deleted User]

I am one year post-op TOT, similar to TVT but the anchor points are the obdurator muscles instead of your abdomen. Best thing I ever did. Not connected, but Bowels still turn to water as I'm nearing home. I'm sure it's psychosomatic, but I'm assured this could also be cured by pelvic floor exercises as the pounding forces the matter downwards. If the pelvic floor was stronger this wouldn't matter as much apparently. I now know all the points at which I could use the facilities if necessary but would rather not. Hubby seems to get away with it by 'booking' a toilet slot before he leaves home. I can't do this!!! Who'd be a woman?

[Deleted User]

I'm now nearly a year post tvt and everything is still okay and no problems, nice to feel free, I've found this forum for people with similar problems and it's been set up for anyone who wants to have a look, it's still in the early stages but hopefully people will have a look and post away.

http://www.incontiweb.org.uk/phpBB-2.0.20/phpBB2/index.php

[Deleted User]

Hi ladies, and as many others have said - thank god I'm not the only one!!!

My problem has started over last 4 months or so. I'm not getting soaked as other poor ladies are suffering, but when out running I get the uncontrolable urge that I need to pee!! (Even though I go 2 or 3 times right before leaving home) If I do find a loo, 7 times out of 10, I sit - but nothing. The other 3 time's my bladder is so full I wonder were all the water has come from. (I very rarely take a drink out with me)
This is making me not want to race! >:-(

Any suggestions/ideas/advice greatly recieved. Regards.

[Deleted User]

I started running 3 months ago, and this problem has been getting worse. It seems the further/faster I am running, the worse it is getting. I have just encouraged a group of "young mums" to come with the gym with me (an ancient 34 yr old, ha ha!) on Monday as we are entering the Dublin Women's Mini Marathon next year, and I am worried that I will either show myself up for getting soaked (and I know its not sweat, believe me!) or make myself look like a liar by taking it REALLY slow, as they have been asking me weekly how my running is going. The tips and ideas on here have been great - my pelvic floor exercises have not been done religeously - but they have been done some days, especially since I started running. Perhaps my next step is to discuss it with my doctor then. Thanks for all the ideas.

[Deleted User]

I sometimes experience stress incontinence, (usually before my period is due) rarely on long steady runs but often when I am doing speed sessions. I recently joined a running club and before I set off I stick a Tena Lady Slim pad in my pants.They work really well and are designed to hold more liquid that sanitary towels.

I have in the past associated Tena Lady with old ladies pishing all over the floor (Little Britain stylee)but the slim ones are just like pant liners.

As I say sometimes I need one sometimes I don't but for peace of mind it really helps and as they are slim I do not notice it at all.

Hope this helps

[Deleted User]

Hi I am so glad I found this thread and lots of your stuff was really helpful and comforting.
Im a 45 year old runner, been running for 20 years and have "suddenly" started getting stress incontinence. Probably no coincidence that I have recently been having menopausal symptoms and began using HRT patches.
I have 1 child age 12 but have never had leakage problems until very recently so Im forced to conclude its my age. Anyone out there know if the hormonal treatment Im having for the menopause - or the menopause itself likely to be causing it?
I belong to a very small club at work with only 3 ladies and 30ish men. Its VERY embarrasing to be suddenly wet and stained while you are out with a bunch of men you know well. I have yet to try Tena lady but will since many of you have said you use them. Im going to try the exercises but it seems odd that it just appears after years of trouble free running.

[Deleted User]

I had trouble with leaking when I started running, and would sometimes finish races soaked. Its not an urge thing, but the stress of running hard just means my body can't control everything at once and something has to give!

I take medication (not at the moment as I am sidelined through injury) but I have definately found that as I got stronger and fitter the leaking problem improved considerably, presumably because my body wasn't so stressed with the running.

This took quite a while (probably over a year of regular running), so stick with it and you might find things improve naturally.

[Deleted User]

Have you heard about NHS continence services, there should be one in most areas and they're a team of specialist continence nurses. They can help you identify the cause of the problem and try and treat it, instead of just giving you pads. Ask your GP to refer you, or sometimes you can refer yourself - try looking on your local Primary Care Trust website or ask at your GP surgery/health centre/hospital. Its worth trying to access this kind of service as they normally have a lot more specialised knowledge than GPs about the problem.

Hope this is helpful!

[Deleted User]

boing

[Deleted User]

hi
you can still buy contiform from www.contiform.com
i think it's a great device

[Deleted User]

That's fantastic news, dml92! I had been told they'd stopped making it! Thanks for that.
Liz

[Deleted User]

so glad 2 find this discussion, i ran race for life last week and was soaked by the end, didnt know if it was maybe the caffiene based sports drink too having diuretic effects. Anyway it got me back to doing pelvic floor exercises on a regular basis i can tell you!

[Deleted User]

Hi! I had to stop running due to a rather fast heart rate, 200+. I was told gentle walking was the most I should do. Took up Pilates, oh boy, didn't know muscles went so deep! Anyway, never had problems running but always had to be careful sneezing, laughing, coughing. The Pilates helped me to isolate my deep muscles and now when I sneeze it's not my pelvic floor that I contract but all of my core muscles, especially the deep lower abdominal ones. It really has worked for me. Also, now I'm allowed to do fast walking I find using my core muscles seems to speed me along with less effort!!!!

[Deleted User]

just recovering from a TOT op - just over 2 weeks ago and have already managed 3 'dry' runs!!  it is fantastic not to have to plan to run.  Even my bowels seem to have become more in control during a run!!

if you're thinking about this op and your bladder is preventing you from enjoying your running i would definately recommend it - i was only out of action for just over a week and there was no real discomfort - my arthroscopy was more painful!!

[Deleted User]

Dear Janet,this is an embaressing problem,but can be resolved.Start with the easy options.Is it wee?Try a panti liner.Try wearing a tampon,it supports the bladder neck.Always wee before running.Iwent to aphysio who specialized inincontinance problems agreat bhelp lots of coping techniques.Do your pelvic floor excercises as if you life depends on it.There are medication available to de-sensitize an irritable bladder.I nded up having aTVT operation and am now running again .I did havedifficult deliverys of big boys which did their damage! There is lots of help out there,good luck.Alison

[Deleted User]

Really pleased to see caroline's bit about us continence advisors! Yes, we generally do have a lot of specialised help available for both sexes with this problem! Check out the continence foundation website for a list of services. Most of us accept self-referrals which means you don't have to go to your GP if your are shy! Many of us are also able to refer you on for other services if needs be.

Take heart, the continence service is out there!!

Beck x

[Deleted User]

hi, I know someone on this thread may have suggested this but i have stuggled as a newbie with going faster and 'going' while I run. 

I have got to the point when even a tena lady and on route stops leaves me with soaking leggings. 

I read somewhere that wearing a tampon helps. 

OMG - done this twice and have been dry like a good girl both times! 

Going to see the doctor too but tis is great - try it.

[Deleted User]

Can't say how good it was to find this thread, it seems I'm far from alone.  I've found that pelvic floor exercises have helped massively (why wasn't I told about these before I had children!).

 I found a lot of information on them on the internet, especially this place Pelvic floor exercises.

 I used to buy some of the larger Tena Lady products from them but have found that I can get away with the smallest since my pelvic floor has improved.

EDIT - realised the link goes to the pelvic floor section, the main website is www.allaboutincontinence.co.uk

[Deleted User]

Just been reading about ladies loo problems while running - all your advise is great!  I am training for the London Marathon and found it most embarrasing on my long runs that I weed myself without even knowing about it - got some tesco own tena lady products as they didnt look so embarrasing to buy!  Will try the tampon method - have found doing more pelvic floor excersises works too.

 If any of you are running in the London Marathon I will no doubt meet you queing up for the loo!!

Alix

Running witch

After having an appointment with a specialist  a month ago i was reccommended to drink more fluids.I had to keep a diary for 3 days of how much went in and measure how much came out and any wet episodes,these only occur when running.It appeared that as i drank so little,and all the wrong things,tea,coffee etc my bladder was emptying out even when there was hardly any fluid in it.The doctor said that if i drank 1.5 litres of fluid each day and 3 litres!!!! on a running day,gradually increasing to those ammounts,my bladder would get used to holding its capacity of 500ml and not doing lots of little wees frequently.Has it helped?.Well i,m now on week 3 and i think it has, together with pelvic floor excercises.Ive also cut out caffeine which is a diuretic too.I'm hoping this will be the beginning of the end of me running with soaking shorts and chaffed bikini line!.

[Deleted User]

does any one know why its only when i stop running that i pee my panties!!!!!

[Deleted User]

Hi RS maybe its the relief of stopping running......??!

WP

[Deleted User]

I have heard about  drinking more fluids as Running Witch was advised.  Doesn't really make sense, cos your natural instinct is to drink less but have heard it works if you can stick with the programme??!!!.   When I was younger and working long hours I used to go for hours without a pit stop, I never had time to go to the loo - now a toilet is freely available all day as and when I fancy going, I think I've almost trained myself to wee to excess and not hang on.    I must say I do think there is a definate hormonal link  too and I guess some sort of gravitational thing - yes as I'm sure some of you out there will recognise that getting  older  causes everything to head south so it must apply to all muscle tissue??  Lets face it - all them Tenna Ads seem to be aimed at older ladies...?

Weeny

[Deleted User]

Hi Ladies

 I have read with interest the experience of all the ladies on this thread and thought I'd share my experiences.  Although not a runner myself, I enjoy aerobics classes and keep fit, obviously with the help of incontinence products!!.

I have suffered stress incontinence since my second baby, who is now 8 years old.  Both my two boys were large babies and obviously did their damage to my pelvic floor!!

About two years ago I'd had enough and took a hugh leap and went to see my GP.  She was very sympathetic and  prescribed Yentrieve (Duluxotine) and referred me to a gynaecologist.

The yentrive was hurrendous, I felt alienated from my own body.  Nauseus, lost my appetite, uncontrollable 'twitching', insomnia, uncontrollable tiredness in the afternoon - so much so that I'd be falling asleep in work!!  I really didn't feel like myself at all AND it had no effect on my stress incontincence whatsoever!!

I saw the gynaecologist and further underwent urodynamics and then had a TVT-O operation last July, however, unfortunately this operation was not successful.  I further underwent an ambulatory urodynamics which showed that I was still suffering the stress incontinence and I was offered another TVT op (not the TVT-O this time).  I had this done last week and early signs are showing positive results - no signs of leakage when I cough or sneeze although I won't be able to assess the full benefit until I get back to the gym and do my 'cardio kick' sessions or the 'jumping jacks' but, hopefully, there will be no leakage!!! 

My boyfriend jokes that everybody has seen and 'dabbled' with my nether regions more than he has!!!

Don't be embarrassed about the problem because I put up with it for six years, six years of misery.  These professionals see women's nether regions all day long and it's just a job to them.  These are experts in the field of women's urogynaecology and they are eager to help........ the hardest step is getting help in the first place and admitting to someone else that you've got the problem.

[Deleted User]

I have been reading with interest. I thought I was the only one! I have been running/walking for years, but over the past 4-5 years the little accidents have been getting worse and worse. I am post children and did do those Pelvic floor exercises. I finally asked my GP for help. I got referred to Gynae and Physio's. The interesting thing is the Physio has asked me to stop Pilates and sit ups as she believes they are making the problem worse!! Apparently I have over developed the upper abdominal muscles and they are pushing down on the Pelvic Floor Muscles!!

I have just undergone Urodynamic tests, and will be doing the diary intake output in the next couple of weeks and back to the specialist in September.

I can manage my problem with changing lifestyle -
I have given up circuits, or any bounding exercises, use pads and tampons and cut down on drinks before the run. Avoid any potential leak tasks! I still have leaks, when I am not expecting it or prepared.

Surgery seems very extreme? When do you know its time for this drastic action?
Will all this stress incontinence get worse and worse with age and we end up with complete incontinence later in life -so may as well hit the problem now while we are young enough?

GIVING UP RUNNING IS NOT AN OPTION - even my husband agrees with this (apparently is not only my bladder that gets irritable!!!!)

Any suggestions would be welcome - my consultant said ask other runners, just couldn't bring myself to walk up to others in the club and say "do you suffer stress incontinence and if so what did you do?" so really glad I found this thread.

V x

[Deleted User]

last year did 10k race and completly wet myslf was so embarrassed knew i suffered with stress incontinence prior to race but did not prepare, ran in light grey lycra above knee leggings .luckily had a long sleeve top on so able to tie round waist an at least cover back end up. after race had mile walk 2 car, race was in december so i was wet thru and freezing.  have come to terms with fact i will always have this problem, it does blight my life a cough or sneeze enough to cause a damp patch. i have however noticed a definite worsening leakage around time of my period, take extra precautions at this time.

[Deleted User]

It was a week yesterday that I had the TVT operation, I was so fed up with having to stand up and cross my legs everytime I sneezed or there would quite clearly be a puddle on my seat! i'm 46 and have been putting up with it for years but then said to myself  why should I? what would I be like in another 10 years? I spent pounds on Tampons as they were the only things that stopped me leaking, so ladies buy Tampons I swear by them they do actually prevent  leakage, there was no way I was going to embarrasse myself and by Tena Ladies. After coming round after the op, I felt great, no pain what so ever! the only uncomfortable thing was the catheter that they keep in for 24hours and a bit sore where they did a couple of incissions on either side of my pubic bone. I must admit after a few days the op had hit me, I found myself having to walk around a bit to stop myself seizing up and getting stiff inside! and I find that I can't rush around and do stuff as much as I would like as it really tires me out at the mo and I'm still a bit umcomfortable. But the Senior Nurse on my ward explained that her friend had the same operation and said it was the best thing she ever did! I haven't sneezed yet as I'm a bit scared in case it hurts or I get a wet puddle! LOL I think its all in my head! I'll let you all know when I sneeze achoooooo!

[Deleted User]

Thanks for your experiences. i have a few more weeks before revisiting the Specialist. I would like to know how you get on post operation.

I did a quite a hard run last night and only leaked towards the end of 40 mins, but I do need to up the mileage. It seems once I go passed 35 mins I tend to start leaking. But on other days leak within 10!!!

Things we do eh!!

[Deleted User]

Hi I  started running 2 years ago and had 'leakage' problems. I went to my GP had lots of tests and endede up having a TVT operation a year ago.

I left hospital with no guidance about when to start exercising again, after searching the internet I started running again in January. It was fab there was no leakage at all. I was really pleased with this so full of confidence I entered myself onto my first race a 10k in the following May.

 My training went well with no problems. Unfortunatley the day of the race was different. When I finnished the race I was soaked and the worst thing was I did not know it had happened. 

 I had a follow up appointment with my consultant and he basically told me that most female runner suffer from stress incontinence and as I had a weakness there I was going to get this problem every time. He said if I did not want to wet myself I should not run!!! He did not make it clear whether it would make the situation worse.

I was really gutted .I had had the operation so that I cold run without worrying now I have been told that if I run this will keep happening. Does any one know if I will make the problem worse if I keep running?