Don't make me laugh... (ladies only please)

[jfoofj]

Don't make me laugh... because I will pee my pants. Coughing, sneezing, lifting heavy objects all do the trick too. This has gotten increasingly worse over the last year or so, to point that I often (ok almost always now) wear a pantyliner "just in case". It isn't related to how full my bladder is, I can still have a pee accident shortly after a bathroom break. I went to my GYN for my annual and he wants me to have urodynamics done (I go in Sept) because he feels that I have stress incontinance, and he mentioned that there was a surgery he could do to "fix that up" for me.

Yikes. I've only had one child (5 pregnancies, but only my son ever got out of the 12weeks gate) so I can't imagine that I have this problem, I always thought it was something that affected women who had a lot of children. I REALLY am not a fan of surgery at all, I know it is a minor procedure but any surgery feels major to me.

So, I'm wondering who out there has been in my shoes (I would say pants but I think that would get me more infraction points, and I've been doing well for so long now.....). Tell me what you had done and how it went and if you are happy with the results!

Also, my OB/GYN says he can do this surgery, should I need it. A friend of mine had hers done by a Urologist.... is it common to have an OB/GYN do bladder surgery?

Thanks so much~ Jfoofj

 

[kirbydog48]

Yes, I am a member of this club, and I only have one child as well. I chalk my "issue" up to menopause. I haven't talked to my doctor about it because it's not all the time for me. I say, if it's really becoming a bother for you, have the procedure. I think it's done equally by OB-Gyn's and Urologists. At least we're keeping the "Poise" company in business.

 

[pipersmom]

Same problem here, and also only one child! My Dr gave me the option of surgery..or...
drumroll please.....

physical therapy!!! Maybe I'm just too modest, but I had no desire to have a PT walking me through Kegel exercises and such! I was lmao all the way home from the Dr!! This was about two yrs ago, and I just continue to keep Poise in business for the time being.

 

[mamo-4-wdw]

I am not in this cat. yet but i think if you need it do it,. It can only get worse an it would be better to do it now before you develop any other health issues.
good luck

 

[lemondog]

What's sad is that I am 38 and this is already happening! First child was adopted, twins were delivered via c-section so I should not be having these issues!!

 

[apirateslifeforme]

I just turned 36, I have NOT had a child, but I have to "assume the position" (you know...the "leg-cross-and-clench") whenever I sneeze! 10 years ago, I did have an ovarian cyst the size of a large grapefruit surgically removed...the doctor did say that could have the same effect. I hate to see what will happen after I do have a baby!

 

[JessicaR]

Figured I would chime in with my experience with this. I have 2 children. Didn't have any bladder issues with them or after them. About 4 years ago I had to have spine surgery. It was done with an anterior and posterior approach. After that surgery my bladder was affected greatly. For a few years if I laughed, coughed, sneezed or anything else remotely similar I peed. I went to a Urologist and my OBGYN and they both told me of a procedure that would help. Thankfully I stuck it out instead and did Kegels ALL the time. It worked! Worth a try, right?

Assume position made me crack up! So true.

 

[dlm1017]

I had this problem for years and finally I couldn’t stand it anymore. I had two large babies my first was big (10lbs) and both were delivered naturally. I found a Dr a URO-GYN who specialized in this, he was wonderful. I had a surgical procedure and had the insertion of a mesh “sling” a non invasive procedure that took all of ½ hour ( the prep took longer) I did have to go to the hospital, but it was painless no stitches as it is inserted through the Vag. I am not sure if I can post the website, but it is mybladdermd.com. I have to say that it has made a world of difference for me! I know can sneeze, cough and not have to worry. It was covered under my insurance so I am not sure of the costs if you check out the website it will answer any questions you may have. If I can answer any questions I would be happy to help!

 

[pat fan]

A friend of mine had this pretty bad, and she did the therapy (which didn't work for her) and wound up with the surgery.

The therapy isn't just Kegals, it's more humiliating than that I believe. Think electric shock with a probe to stimulate the muscles Sorry, but there you have it....

I'd just have the surgery. The new techniques out now are so much better than the old days, you'll be out and about before you know it. My friend just wishes she'd done it sooner.

 

[mrsheppo]

I had the surgery almost 2 years ago and I believe it has made a world of difference in my life. I can sneeze, cough and laugh without fear of wetting my pants. My gyn did the surgery. Very fast and simple and no real need for painkillers. I had one and only took it so I could take a 4 hour nap.

I was also told I could go through the kegel exercises and therapy, hated the urodynamics testing and opted for the surgery with no regrets.

I did have 4 kids weighing 9.5, 8, 7.10 and 7 lbs. Think that had a lot to do with it.

 

[Sailorwife]

I just had the bladder suspension surgery about 3 weeks ago. It is a little more invasive than the Monarch Sling surgery. I did have to spend the night in the hospital. The worst part was the small inscision with a few stitches in a very sensitive place. The pulling of the stitches was the worst. That said, I would do it all over again!! It has already made a world of difference. My gyn is a uro-gyn so he did the surgery. I would be prepared to be out about a week. I still cannot lift anything over 25 pounds for about another 3 weeks.

I had 3 kids with my heaviest being 8 lbs. They also found a hernia that was causing some of my issues while they were doing the surgery.

I had the Monarch sling done about 2 years ago and it worked for a little while but then I was right back where I started. With that surgery, I was just down for a weekend.

I am looking forward to being able to run on the treadmill and not have to keep getting off to go the bathroom!!!

 

[lilosurf11]

My mom gave birth to me and my two brothers and she tells me that I ruined her bladder. If she sneezes too hard or laughs too hard, she wets herself. I hate to laugh, but I do, sometimes. I do feel bad for her though.

 

[Kimberly]

I don't want to get too graphic on this board, but a friend of mine had this problem while she was in college. Her OB/GYN mentioned giving kegel exercises before being medicated or even attempted surgery for it, but it ended up working for her.

 

[tigercat]

I had surgery done many moons ago to "life" my bladder. I just couldn't believer the difference it made and has made. It was done about 14 yrs ago and now at the menopause time frame am happy I had it done. One thing that women can suffer from is the "oh my goodness if I don't find a bathroom right now I will be going here" but when I get the feeling I am usually able to overcome it. If I hadn't of had the surgery I doubt very much if I woud have the control that I have now. I did have 4 children and the last was 8 lbs 13 oz, and I am only 4' 8" tall so that is hugh for me.
tigercat

 

[JoiseyMom]

OP, thanks for posting this! I have had this problem for a while, but never thought of mentioning it to my doc. Just figured it is part of having 4 kids and aging. I will mention it at my next check up. I would love to be able to sneeze and cough without .

 

[jfoofj]

Thanks for all the replies! I guess there are a lot of us out there. I do the Kegel excerices (at red lights while driving ) but my Dr said that can only help so much. I guess when I have the urodynamics done they will know how bad it is and I can make a decision from there. I have been googling a lot of info about it, and talked to another person who had the same procedure done w/ my Dr. and she had great results. I suppose if I have to do it, I will do it because it is getting to the point where even my kids know when I sneeze and run to the bathroom that I just peed my pants.

What's sad is that I am 38 and this is already happening! First child was adopted, twins were delivered via c-section so I should not be having these issues!!

I will be 38 in September... and I had my DS by c-section (I did push for an hour before, though) and he was 8lbs6oz... not huge by any means. I never had this problem till after pregnancy, though... actually, it started during my pregnancy.

I will update when I have the urodynamics done... I guess that entails having a catheter inserted... that will definately make for an interesting post!

 

[EllenFrasier]

For those that had the surgery done, does it do anything to tighten anything else up down there?

 

[starann]

I am 30, with 2 children and I am a pants pee-er!

I can hold peeing for hours......but if I cough or sneeze....forget it!

 

[arubio0801]

What's sad is that I am 38 and this is already happening! First child was adopted, twins were delivered via c-section so I should not be having these issues!!

I'm also in the club and I'm only 22!!!!! So don't feel bad I'm soo young and went to a urologist and he gave me a gel to put on my arm or stomach!! I don't think it's working very well so I'm going to go back. I only have one child too he's only 5 1/2monthes and I've had this problem since after my c-section my OB says it's from the c-section so hopefully the meds will work.

 

[DisMN]

Everyone always tells women that it has to do with having had children. I beg to differ....I know several childless women who have this problem.

I got a solution without having told my doctor I even had the problem. A hysterectomy cleared it up for me at probably 98-99%. Rarely do I wet myself anymore.....this leads me to believe that it has a lot to do with the uterus pressing on the bladder.

OP and all the other ladies going through this...hang in there and I hope you find your fix! I'm thrilled beyond words to have accidentally *pardon the pun* found my solution! LOL