Is my incontinence MS or Menopause?

[sandythegeek2]

I will turn 50 in a month and I am suddenly experiencing some incontinence. It's not severe but it's causing concern. It started about a month ago. I don't have to wear anything yet but am getting worried. I've never had this issue that I'm having now. I am still in limbo on whether I have MS. I think I should call my regular doctor tomorrow. I hate this. Don't know what to do.

[sandythegeek2]

Thank you all for your great wisdom and advice. After reading your comments, I have found improvement if I just sit and wait another 30 seconds and I always void a little more and leak less afterwards. I never had a slow voiding issue until the past couple of years. Now it takes a long time. I envy those that can empty quickly. The things we take for granted.

[Deb61]

I think it could be either one.  I had this problem for a very long time--even when I was younger, so I think it could be MS.  I had a total hysterectomy (for a different reason), and the problem persists.  I think my problem is that my bladder is not completely empty due to neurogenic bladder.  When I cough or sneeze or do anything like laugh, I have an accident or leakage.  I also have problems with UTIs.

A sonogram of the bladder after voiding may determine if this is the problem.  My neuro has a sonogram machine just for determining this problem in her office, so I was guess that a urologist would have one too.

[BOK2Bjan]

I admit, this made me smile.  Are we lucky or what?  I remember my mother in law telling me about her OBGYN telling her to stay sitting until she's sure she has completely voided.  I was too young to appreciate the advice.  NOT ANY MORE!

I have Interstitial Cystitis and stress incontinence, so I either feel like I have to go, have to go, or am going.  There doesn't seem to be a lot of time spent away from the old toilet. lol  I also have constipation from my Systemic Sclerosis, (and pain meds) which can push on the bladder and cause problems (oh boy) and now my doc and I are thinking I may be developing MS bladder and bowel problems.  Who could ask for more?  I mean really?

But, I'm starting to have a numbness that makes it hard to tell if I've had a bowel movement - weird.  As far as the bladder - how would I know?  I have way too much going on there to be able to weed out what's causing what - HA!  At least I still have a sense of humor about it all.  The sad part is how much of my life my GI tract takes from me.  I used to think my bladder problems were stealing my life away.  I really was just getting started down the road of life disruption!

Wish all well, Jan

[Lulu54]

Incomplete voiding is not uncommon - you think you are done, stand up and immediate ly to go again.  There are several ways to try to retrain the bladder - one is to just sit and wait longer.  The other is to actually stand up and then sit again.    Having to go too frequently is a different issue - it could come from a UTI (yes, you can have one and not know it!) or from incomplete voiding.  Either way, you should check in with a urologist and have this discussion.  Don't let the problem continue too long.

Because you have had this problem with sneezing (stress incontinence) for some time, I would almost guess it's not a neurological issue but muscle tone.  But then againk ,as you know I am not a doctor.  So please go see one.

hugs, L

[sandythegeek2]

Thank you all!  That helps a lot. My specific issue that is new is the leakage when I stand up immediately after urinating, and over active bladder (feeling like I have to go all the time, even after I go).  I have had the sneezing issue for years.

[SaraBiston]

Hello,
Maybe its Menopause. Take a proper food which contain lots of vitamins and fibers. Do regular exercise which will help you to take relief in menopause. Take some natural herbs like Aloe vera, Damiana, Soy, Flaxseed, Black Cohosh, Ginkgo Biloba . This all herbs helps to give relief in menopause symptoms.

[SarahL2491]

Jj is correct but also thank pregnancy, sorta an after thought gift! Leaves parts just not what they used to be!

[Caryopteris]

The best thing to do is Kegel exercises.  There is no surgery that's as good as doing Kegels.  Very important!  I used to work for a urologist.  

[supermum_ms]

Hi there,

There are a number of different causes and types of incontinence, a lot depends on the how/when it happens (coughing/laughing, anytime) the most common are not connected to MS, common ones that come to mind are things like age, menopause but there are others UTI, kidney issues, prolapse etc etc.

A lot of the time if its not temporarily being caused by an infection, pelvic floor exercises can help, so can a trick i read on another MS site.... after you think you've finished wait for 30 seconds or so and try to go again, repeat until you can't get any more out.

A really common time for mini accidents is to do with the female anatomy, if you hold on too long for what ever reason and the urge to go did stop but when you next stand up you unexpectedly leaked, thats actually often when a female can have a little accident or be really desperate to go and not make it, think female anatomy and gravity. Going more frequently, not holding on, strengthening pelvic muscles etc can all help is this is when its happening.    

When it comes to MS, I think your going to find that its specifically spinal lesions that are the cause of bladder, blowel and sexual issues. I seem to have triple the fun, err right lol

What id suggest you do, before you start to worry to much, is to first think about when and how it happens, it should help go towards explaining exactly what's going on, when you discuss it with your dr.

Cheers............JJ