When are you incontinent?

This is a question for all of you DL's that are truly incontinent. I'm now 60+. Over the years I've always had a less than maximum bladder capacity. Recalling the past there were many times when I'd need to go every 15 to 30 minutes. I never had an accident though. Then starting about 15 years ago I noticed that I'd get these little surprise "need to go" episodes. I could handle them although they were uncomfortable. Ever since the GOTTA GO has gradually gotten to the point that it's becoming an issue even resulting in wet spots in the shorts. I've pretty much tolerated it and haven't said anything (blush,blush). But a recent vacation with loved ones presented challenges at the airport and places where I just couldn't get to the bathroom. I found myself rinsing out the underwear for more than a little wet spot.

So. I suspect I should probably see the doctor. That's going to be tough to swallow. The whole life long DL thing just complicates the issue. The other thing is the whole urology thing. I imagine the doc would want to send me to one straight away. I'd rather die than have all sorts of stuff crammed up my manhood and pumped full of water to see how much it takes to pop me. The whole thing makes me want to just say the hell with it. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I suspect I'm not the only one here that has gotten to this point in life so maybe there's others here interested in what you folks have to say. Thanks

Pretty much my story too. Recently had a UTI/kidney infection (very rare in men I am told) and as part of my follow up I disclosed my symptoms to my family physician. With that taken into account he sent me to the urologist. Having an ultrasound of the kidneys next week and a cystoscopy the week after. They want to rule out any abnormalities or stones that may have caused the infection. In the mean time they have put me on Flowmax to control the urinary symptoms. Assuming that my kidney tests come up negative we will just let the Flowmax do its job and see if that addresses my frequency, urgency, and wetting issues. Not looking forward to the cystoscopy. Intellectually, I know that it is a very small tube going up there, well lubricated, and following an anesthetic gel. Emotionally, it will probably look like a garden hose being shoved into the eye of a needle. Obviously I have chosen to go through with the testing since my kidneys have been brought into question. I will share my experiences here in a couple of weeks.

Yeah, I know what you mean Dond. I had the ol colonoscopy and the camera looked like a python. What made it worse was the way it was positioned it was staring at me on the tv screen.... Good luck on the tests. Please keep us up on how the tests go.

I had the camera and bladder fill test done earlier this year, there was a slight discomfort when the camera passed one point but after that there was no discomfort or pain , it was interesting to watch the screen and see the inside of bladder.

I didn't know he would fill my bladder at the same time, they then Had me walk into the next room to pee they measured the output then did a test to see how much was left in my bladder.

Don't worry about the test it's fast and worth the trouble to make sure there is nothing bad wrong inside.

My tests came back ok, but I was diagnosed with an OAB I have decided on diapers to manage the issue over meds.

EEEEKK!!! It's like the colonoscopy all over again. I drove myself crazy worrying about all the humiliating painful horrors that where about to befall me. Only to see after the test that it's no big deal. I suppose if the urology tests work out like the colonoscopy then it will be worth the psychological trauma that I'll be putting myself thru. No one can convince me that it's a piece of cake. I'm just a big baby when it comes to the doctor. FEAR THE DOCTOR!!! .....just kidding.... (sorta)....

I guess at my age I better man up. The laundry list of problems just keeps getting longer and longer. I sometimes think that I'll just take an apartment in the hospital and live there for the next 6 months while they sort thru all my issues. God. What a drag.

Incontinent since 16 bedwetter since young

I have had all the tests the urologist could through at me and it was found my diabetes is the main cause of my ever increasing incontinence. It cannot be cured and I will be dependant on nappies for the rest of my life.

I've noticed recently that I have worsening urge incontinence. The need to pee comes quickly and severely. If I'm wearing my diaper it's a moot point. If I don't have a diaper on and I'm at home naked I need to hurry to the toilet. If I wait too long I start dribbling pee, or even shoot a short stream on the floor. ???

Yesterday was the big day. Prior to this I had a round of powerful antibiotics to address the UTI/kidney infection and an ultrasound study of my kidneys. Kidneys look good, thankfully.

The cystoscopy was mostly a non-event as it was not terribly uncomfortable and mostly pain free. There were a couple of brief moments, such as passing through the urinary sphincter, that I hurt. Those were not that bad and passed so quickly as to not be a problem for me. On the way through my urethra we did learn that my prostate is quite enlarged, confirming the tentative diagnosis of BPH.

Did I mention that the whole procedure was displayed on a monitor where I could watch it all? I really like this as the doctor took the time to explain the whole procedure and findings as they happened.

Once we go to the bladder it was discovered that I still have a raging infection there. Lots of "debris" floating around. They irrigated my bladder to exchange the debris-laden fluid with clear liquid in order to be able to see well. No stones or abnormalities that we could observe aside from swollen red tissue lining my whole bladder. Normally this would be smooth tissue.

Perhaps the worst part of the procedure was the second time I urinated afterwards, The Lidocaine gel that had been injected into my urethra had worn off and that pee was painful. Each subsequent urination was less painful and after about two hours it was business as usual.

I think part of the reason that this was an easy procedure for me is that I have two RNs and a doctor in the family. I went in fully informed of the process and what the possible outcomes would be. Much better than going forth into darkness, as it were. Hopefully, by sharing my story here, someone can benefit from my experiences.

So back on antibiotics and continuing with Flowmax. Back to the doctor's office in two weeks for a follow up at which time we hope to learn that the infection has passed.

Hey Dondd, What were the symptoms that prompted you to go see the doctor?

Metoo - mostly that I had been fighting a fever of up to 103°F off and on for a period of almost five weeks. One day I had significant flank pain and general weakness and the wife just would no longer allow me to say no to my going to the doctor rather than riding it out. Our medical provider has and immediate care service and they saw me that afternoon.

I never experienced the key UTI symptoms that my wife and daughters expected - mostly painful urination. Only with the benefit of hindsight did I realize that things were not quite right.

Aside from that my symptoms of infection were pretty vague. As far as the BPH - dribbling, hard to start stream, frequency, urgency, and the like were all apparent. I was willing to live with things as they were but the infection brought everything to a head, so to speak.