www.incontinentsupport.org

Sociologygeek, have you tried Suntory whisky? It's so good you can drink it straight. Check it out next time you're at the liquor store (it's Japanese)! Alcohol is a bladder irritant but we have to have fun in moderation. It is so encouraging to hear your positive story! I bet you're going to be successful with controlling this condition as you have been in the past. I was not sure pelvic floor exercises were effective but now you have me interested.

I don't dehydrate myself. I just don't believe we really need 8 8-ounce glasses of water a day. I think it depends on the weather and the level of activity you participate in. On hot, humid days when I'm traveling I drink tons of fluids b/c I can tell my body needs it and I feel thirsty. I just sweat it out and have low urine output luckily on those days.

I'm now exploring the use of topical estrogen. Hormones have to play a role in all of this. As we age, our hormones decrease and people have all sorts of problems including incontinence, UTIs, and kidney stones. I know I'm a chronic UTI sufferer and it is linked with low estrogen. Low estrogen also causes urogenital atrophy in women. Any women want to chime in? I've been doing a lot of research and I have high hopes that estrogen will control the problem at least. I've ordered a bottle of estrogen cream and can't wait for the shipment.

Hi everyone,

I'm only 38 and just became incontinent within this month and it is devastating! I have urge incontinence and leak when I run to the bathroom. Right now I'm wearing Always Discreet moderate pads as the liners were not enough to hold the liquid. I'm so scared this is going to progress and I'll have to wear Always Discreet Boutique underwear one day!

I have had a history of UTIs and I had a kidney stone last year. Could this all be related? I read on this forum that the sphincter can loosen with passage of a kidney stone.

This is beyond depressing...I was fairly active before this all started. How can I go to the beach now? To the gym swimming? To a hot tub? Do I have to give up on the activities I love? I hope I don't have Parkinsons or some neurological disorder. I'm so young to develop this!

It is devastating at first. Been there, done that. (No t-shirt) And you life will go on. But with a sudden onset like you were talking about, you really should see a doctor. Yes, there will be tests. Yes, you will be annoyed. But remember, the tests can rule out medical conditions that are much worse than a little leakage.

ScottK

So I've made an appointment with my primary care physician to discuss this problem! Thank you for those who encouraged me. I'm hoping to try biofeedback in the coming months as sociogeek had so much success with it for 4 years. Anyone else try it? I want to explore my treatment options and not take this lying down. From the posts it seems like the condition only deteriorates with time.