leaking urine

[harmony]

I was diagnosed with IC about 6 months ago after a potassium test. I've had the symptoms for about 2 1/2 years, after a series of surgeries for endo, adhesions, and a hysterectomy. My bladder was damaged in the process and I was on 500mg of Levaquin daily for about 5 months. I only have the pain when I have a bad flare-what I used to think was a bladder infection. My main symptoms are urgency, frequency and leaking urine. I go through 2-3 pads on a good day,more when I have a bad flare. I haven't found anything on these boards that addresses the leaking. My dr. says it is bladder spasms and the Elmiron won't help that. He wants to do the interstim implant. I just want to exhaust other avenues before I have another surgery. I've tried Detrol and Ditropan and neither helped very much. My dr. won't prescribe and antihistamine to go with the Elmiron because he says that will only help if I have food allergies-Is that correct? The IC diet has helped but not enough. The only thing that really worked was the instillation of heparin and something (I can't remember what it was) that the PA gave me after the potassium test. I was completely normal for about 4 days. WOW!!! Does anyone else out there have the leaking? It isn't stress incontinence. I just leak when my bladder gets a little bit full. I'm afraid my dr. is just a little over anxious to practice his newest favorite surgery. Does anyone know any great doctors is Southern IL?

[Scooter]

Harmony, I haven't been dx'd yet, but I do at times have leaking. Mainly when I have to wait a bit to go. There are times that I have it pretty regularly, and like you, go through a couple of pads a day, but then it just goes away, for days or weeks at a time.
I think I would want to explore all other possible options before surgery. And you do have the right to make that decision yourself. Your doc will say he's suggesting the best course of treatment, and he may be right. But, submitting to another surgery should be your decision with no pressure. Of course, I haven't met a doc that was so cooperative as to allow me time to think and research a treatment. when I tell them I need to think it over, they say something like 'we need to get on this soon!'
Good luck with whatever you decide!

[poetgirl]

I have leakage too, and it's really annoying. Mostly it starts up when I'm in a flare of some sort, or have had a UTI. It happens sometimes several minutes after I urinate if I start walking or sneeze or something. Other times it happens when I suddenly feel the urge to go. The leakage is consistent enough that I almost always have to wear panti-liners. My uro prescribed Detrol LA and Urised to deal with the symptoms; sometimes they help and other times they don't.

[harmony]

I'm not happy to hear that you are leaking too but it is good to know that it can be a symptom. I was beginning to wonder if I was misdiagnosed. I have had some bad luck with doctors so I tend to be suspicious sometimes. Thanks for the replies. This site is going to be a big help I think.

[ICNDonna]

Leakage is not usually a part of IC. Have you tried some exercises to help strengthen your sphincter?

.....And if your uro is suggesting the interstim is your only option, I suggest you get another opinion. There's a link on the Browse Our Site pull-down menu to find a list of medical professionals who have been recommended by other IC patients.

Warm hugs,
Donna

[poetgirl]

I can't speak for Harmony's experience; however, in my case I know the leakage is part of overactive bladder. However, it is not consistently a problem for me; it's triggered by flareups (anything that causes the bladder and probably the pelvic floor muscles to spasm) and when I am feeling fine, I almost never have leakage problems. I still will need to urinate more than the average person, but it won't be accompanied by the other symptoms of urge/stress incontinence.

[auntiedeb]

Hi, I have ic and overactive bladder and leakage too after I urniate or when I laugh or cough or sneeze. I am on elemrion, ditorpanxl and atrax and amptrypline and vicdion for the ic and pain. I also suggest that you get a second opion from another doctor. Please let us know how you make out. we care. Hang in there.There is hope.

[liz2]

When my bladder is not emptying well, I leak with my IC.

--------------------------------------------------
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all. --Emily Dickinson

[Kelli]

don't feel bad, I have lost control of my bledder fuctions. I cant hold it anymore or anything. If I have to wake in the night to go, I usually don't make it and the bathroom it right next wo my room. Wear those underwear type depends to bed so when I do that, it won't get all over the place

[redstonebef]

Last year I had lost control of my bladder and leaked a lot too. My Uro said it had nothing to do with my IC and would not help the pain. The surgery was terrible to hitch it up because the bladder had fallen down but afterwards when I healed I felt it did help with pain from standing and walking so in my case having the surgery helped me. I think every case is different. At least now I don't leak. Hugs

redstonebef

[harmony]

Thanks to all of you so much for your input. My leaking started at the same time that the IC symptoms started. I've been wearing a pad at all times for about 3 years now. I already had my bladder hitched up and it didn't make any difference at all. I know I need to see a different doctor-I just don't have alot of faith in doctors anymore. My doctor is supposed to be very good, he is a uro-gynecologist, but I had to tell him what I thought I should be tested for (the IC). I am just afraid of all the testing I'll have to go through again, and the expense, with a new doctor. Thanks for all your support, it helps me through the down moments.

[Full Life]

I leak when I sneeze or cough and must wear those pads every day. It is worse around the time of my period and when I sneeze or cough in multiples eg. you sneeze 3x and you are out (literally). I buy those Poise pads - the extra plus and have used them as an emergency bathroom on more than one occasion (I just stood and peed slowly to relieve some pressure it was urgent especially after a coffee). The next bathroom I found, I peed some more and changed the pad.

[emeralds333]

I'm so glad someone posted this. I've had to wear pantiliners constantly for the last year for little bits of "leakage" here and there. I used to wear them just because it made me feel cleaner (always the unsented, breathable kind) - now there's no choice and there's not much feminine or sexy about the entire thing.

I absolutely hate it.

[Peta]

I leak all the time. I never go without wearing a pad. The leaking was one of the first problems I experienced when I was in my early teens.

Peta frown

[pixelkat]

wow! It's good to know i'm not the only one with this issue. I pretty much have to wear panty liners all of the time, and if I don't I feel really insecure. It's super frustrating. I do notice it's worse during a flare or near my period. I don't even feel like I have to pee; I just randomly feel tiny amounts of urine coming out at random times. I assume it's just weak bladder muscles (which runs in my family) or one of the frustrating side effects of IC.