Struggling with Mixed Incontinence: Seeking Solutions
A few years back, I received a diagnosis of mixed incontinence, and unfortunately, my condition has deteriorated significantly since then. As a 35-year-old mother of four—three of whom I delivered vaginally and one via cesarean—I find this situation particularly challenging. My struggles escalated further in 2019 when I faced a severe kidney stone, reportedly the size of a golf ball, prompting me to undergo four procedures over three months. Additionally, last year, I was diagnosed with diverticulosis, which complicates matters further. Recently, my incontinence has taken a turn for the worse, leaving me disheartened and frustrated. I've pursued physical therapy, but progress has been minimal. After bringing my worsening symptoms to my doctor's attention a couple of months ago, he referred me to a specialist. However, to my dismay, there’s a substantial wait time of about a year. Given my repeated visits for this issue, I feel frustrated by the delay in proper referral. Daily life has become increasingly cumbersome, as I rely on a pad, changing it multiple times a day. I even invested in specialized leak-proof underwear, yet I still need to use a pad along with it. This ongoing problem has plagued me for a considerable time, and it’s now becoming unmanageable. I’m eager to learn if there’s any possibility of accelerating my referral or if there are ways to navigate this waiting list effectively. Furthermore, I’m contemplating whether bladder lift surgery might be a viable option worth discussing when I finally meet with the specialist. I’m also anxious about the potential long-term implications of my condition, as it often leads to situations where I struggle to maintain control, even while walking. This constant worry has made it difficult to focus on anything else.
Answers (1)
7/7/2025, 6:20:48 AM
OpenHealth AI
Thank you for sharing your situation, and I understand how deeply frustrating and challenging mixed incontinence can be, especially considering your past medical history and daily struggles. Let's break this down into manageable parts, addressing your immediate concerns while considering your future options.
Main Points
- Mixed incontinence can significantly impact your quality of life, and it's understandable to seek more effective management.
- While waiting for your specialist appointment, there are ways to potentially accelerate your referral and explore additional self-management strategies.
- Discussing surgical options with your specialist is valid, but let’s focus on what you can do in the meantime.
Explanation
Mixed incontinence is a combination of urge and stress incontinence, often exacerbated by factors like childbirth and other medical conditions. The challenges you're facing are not just physical but also emotional, and it's important to approach them holistically. While surgery like a bladder lift may be a possibility in the future, it’s crucial to manage your current situation effectively while awaiting a comprehensive evaluation.
Next Steps
-
Accelerate Your Referral:
- Contact the Specialist’s Office: Explain your situation and the deterioration of your symptoms. Sometimes, offices may have cancellations or waitlist options.
- Ask Your Primary Care Provider for Alternatives: They may be able to refer you to another specialist who can see you sooner.
-
Self-Management Strategies:
- Pelvic Floor Exercises: Continue exercises recommended in physical therapy, focusing on the pelvic floor, which can help improve muscle strength and control.
- Bladder Training: Gradually increase the time between bathroom visits and practice relaxing when you feel the urge. Keeping a bladder diary may help identify patterns and triggers.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: Consider a fiber-rich diet to manage diverticulosis and stay hydrated; this may positively influence both your bladder and bowel health.
-
Support Systems:
- Join a Support Group: Connecting with others facing similar challenges can provide emotional support and practical tips.
- Consult a Dietitian: They can provide guidance tailored to your digestive health and incontinence, ensuring your dietary choices support both conditions.
-
Consider Future Discussions:
- Prepare for the Specialist Appointment: Write down specific symptoms and concerns, and note how your condition affects your daily life. This preparation can help guide the conversation toward potential treatments, including surgery.
Conclusion
Your current situation is understandably a source of distress, but there are practical steps you can take to improve your quality of life while awaiting specialist care. It's essential to be proactive in seeking support and managing your symptoms. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have further questions or need more tailored advice. You're not alone in this, and there are paths forward.
Related Questions
Understanding EEG Results for My 22-Month-Old Son: Insights Needed
Could someone help clarify this for me? My son, who is just 22 months old, hasn’t started walking yet, becomes tired easily, and has been experiencing behavioral outbursts. He had a febrile seizure in February 2025, followed by another unexplained seizure in April 2025, which led us to consult a neurologist. Since he was 3 months old, he has been receiving therapy from a physical therapist for torticollis. At birth, he spent five days in the NICU due to issues with meconium aspiration. A recent MRI showed normal results, and he also had a follow-up EEG after one conducted in July 2025. The results from this recent EEG were abnormal for a pediatric patient in awake, drowsy, and sleeping states. Notably, there were brief episodes of left frontotemporal delta slowing, which occurred mainly when he was awake and drowsy. There were no signs of epileptiform activity detected. In contrast, the EEG performed back on July 3, 2025, was deemed normal for both awake and drowsy states, again with no evidence of epileptiform irregularities, although it did not capture any sleep data. This examination was prompted by the child's existing history of febrile seizures. Importantly, he is not currently on any anti-seizure medications. The EEG procedure used standard electrode placements per the 10-20 system, conducted a single-lead EKG, and included continuous video monitoring. During the analysis, the background activity was symmetric, indicating some anterior-posterior (AP) organization, with a dominant rhythm of 50-80 microvolts at 7 Hz. His drowsy state was marked by a reduced amount of eye blink activity, less breathing motion interference, and a generalized slowing in theta/delta frequencies. Stage II sleep exhibited spindles and vertex waves patterns. Additionally, there were intermittent bursts of 250-300 microvolts in the left frontotemporal region with semi-rhythmic activity of 2-4 Hz, mostly observed during wakefulness and drowsiness. No definitive epileptiform discharge was noted. Photic stimulation during the test did not elicit a strong response, and hyperventilation was not conducted during this session.
INTENSE Spine Discomfort, Breathing Difficulties, Muscle Twitches, and Sweating
To elaborate on the situation mentioned in the title, I’ve been experiencing unusual muscle twitches and spasms for the past few days, along with some discomfort in my back. However, today, I felt an unexpected sharp pain shoot through my spine, which has left my legs feeling numb and made it impossible for me to sit up straight. Additionally, I’ve been dealing with cold sweats for the last hour and struggling to breathe properly. Perhaps I’m just overanalyzing things and it’s a common occurrence, but the intensity of the pain is overwhelming—it's truly unbearable. I’m shaking quite a bit, and unfortunately, my parents aren’t responding to my attempts to reach them for help. I have a history of a chronic heart condition and arthritis, yet I’ve never experienced pain this severe, especially in my spine. For context, I am nearly 15 years old and female. My current medications include pain relievers, anxiety medication, beta blockers, and some vitamins, though those specifics may not be particularly relevant. I don’t smoke; however, I have tried vaping a few times, which might not matter much, but I thought it was worth mentioning as it was requested.
Understanding Atrial Fibrillation and Thyroid Issues: Variability in Cardioversion Decisions
Hello everyone, I’m reaching out for guidance regarding my mother’s current health situation, and I’d greatly appreciate any shared experiences or thoughts. **My mother's background:** - **Age**: 55 years - **Weight**: Recently dropped to 116 kg from 118 kg in just two days, likely due to diuretics. - **Health history**: Previously an underactive thyroid, undiagnosed and untreated, now presenting as overactive. - **Medications**: Currently taking thyroid medication and a beta-blocker (Rapiblock). **Current health status:** My mother has been hospitalized since Tuesday, experiencing **atrial fibrillation with heart rates exceeding 200** beats per minute due to her thyroid's hyperactivity. - The plan for cardioversion was initially settled on Tuesday. However, the following day, the medical team advised postponing it until her thyroid levels could be stabilized, believing that her heart rate would return to normal once her thyroid condition was managed. - Her **obesity** precludes her from undergoing a transthoracic echocardiogram, and due to her thyroid concerns, she cannot handle contrast dye (this has been a consistent issue for over four years). Therefore, the only feasible option was a **transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)**, which has yet to be performed. - She has been prescribed various medications including beta-blockers and thyroid treatments in the past. - On Friday, a doctor proposed proceeding with cardioversion; however, the attending senior physician objected. - Today (Saturday), another clinician has expressed a desire to move forward with cardioversion, having initiated a new medication, as the senior physician is unavailable. - **Communication has been unclear**, as we were notified of developments by a nurse rather than the physician in charge, causing confusion and anxiety. - Currently, only a **chest X-ray** is scheduled, and the TEE remains unaddressed. **My inquiries are as follows:** 1. Is it common for medical professionals to have varying opinions and frequently revise medication or treatment plans like cardioversion? 2. Is it safe to conduct cardioversion in the absence of a TEE? I presumed that this was a standard procedure to exclude the presence of blood clots. 3. Is it usual practice to have only a chest X-ray prior to moving ahead with cardioversion? 4. How typical is it for patients or their families to not be directly informed about treatment changes and learn about them through nursing staff instead? I recognize that this cannot substitute for professional medical advice. I’m simply trying to discern whether these circumstances are typical or if we should express our concerns more assertively with the healthcare facility. Thank you for your insights!
28-Year-Old Male Experiencing Scalp Sensations Post-Amitriptyline Treatment
I am a 28-year-old man in generally good health, without any cardiac concerns. Approximately a month ago, I encountered intense pain localized to one side of my head, which was unresponsive to paracetamol. However, a single dose of a migraine treatment provided substantial relief. Following that, I began a regimen of amitriptyline, starting at a nightly dose of 10 to 25 mg. While my head pain has diminished significantly—by about 90 to 95%—I now experience occasional uncomfortable sensations on my scalp. These feelings include pins and needles, a cooling sensation, and some crawling feelings near my hairline and ears. There are fleeting moments where I feel brief throbs lasting a second, but I do not have any persistent headaches. To clarify, I do not experience any of the following: - Nausea - Weakness in my limbs - Numbness - Changes in my vision - Coordination difficulties - Seizures The symptoms I have are transient, shifting around and often intensifying when I become conscious of them or as the day progresses. I would like to know: Is it common to experience these sensations during the recovery stage following episodes of neuralgia or migraine-like discomfort? Additionally, could the amitriptyline potentially be causing these temporary paresthetic sensations? I am seeking some reassurance or advice on what is typically observed during this healing process. Thank you.
Concerns About My Toes
Age: 30, Female Currently, I am on the lookout for a reputable podiatrist in my vicinity. However, I've encountered a perplexing issue with my foot. Just last night, I noticed a growth on the side of my toe, something entirely new to me. I maintain a nutritious diet and have a demanding job that requires me to be on my feet quite often. My footwear includes brands such as Brooks Ghost Runners, Hoka Bondi 9’s, and Nike Motiva’s, and I don’t opt for restrictive socks. I also apply Vick’s Vaporub to my feet, a practice handed down from my family, and stick with simple, non-fragrant lotions like Vanicream and CeraVe SA Cream for my skin. In addition, I am curious about the my big toenail's change in color. What might be the underlying reasons for this? Also, I have these persistent dark spots on my toes that I've struggled with since my days on the runway. Despite my efforts, nothing has succeeded in lightening or diminishing their appearance. I'm just looking to determine if there might have been a factor from the past that could have contributed to these issues. I’m not sure what else to include, but I’m open to answering any questions you might have. Thank you for your attention! Best wishes from a worried soul!