www.incontinentsupport.org

Because of my chronic prostatitis, it is painful to store my urine and holding it in creates both pain and urgency.
My incontinence now results in mostly dribbles throughout the day punctuated with floods every several hours.
I understand that the floods are not nearly as heavy as a complete bladder release.
However, if I am dribbling all day, why would I still have a large bladder release?
I thought that the dribbles would keep my bladder fairly empty.

thanks for any input

Hi Fiacs

It makes sence in a way, your dribbles are less then what your body is producing so your bladder is slowly filling up to a point where your weakend sphincter mucles can no longer retain your pee and it releases what ever is built up in your bladder. As your muscles continue to weaken your dripping amount will probably increase and your floods will start to diminish to the point of mini surges.


Your urologist will have a better understanding of whats going on and be able to explain why its happening, over the last 4 years I have continued to slowly loose more and more control but in the last few months I have noticed an increase in loss of control as my sphincter weakens.

I have been told that the nerves around my sphincter muscle are damaged as well as the sensors that detect a full bladder. To compound it, my urologist claims that my bladder doesn’t empty, which leads to UTIs. Of course there’s several medications for that, which generally leaves me dizzy, dry mouth, anxious, and makes my vision blurry. I’ve tried various medications in various dosages.....
My work around is plenty of water and juices to flush. When I feel an infection on the way, I have a light beer (yes beer) before bed a few nights, and that seems to take care of it, usually.
Anyway, back to point, I dribble all the time, but at some point will flood, one or two times a day, depending on my intake. I always urinate a lot at night too, with zero warning. When I dribble or flood, I have no sensations of needing to go. This has worsened as time passes. The worst part is when I step out of the shower and suddenly begin to flood, I am unable to stop! I have a beautiful jacuzzi tub but am no longer able to use it ;(

This reads as though it is something a urologist should check out, soon, if not at your next appointment.

Hi Patrick
If you’re referring to me, I’ve been to several urologists over the years. I get antibiotics when needed and urine tests to make sure nothing else is going on. I also get ultrasound and highly invasive tests of the sphincter area as well as a CAT scan recently. Other than fluid retention and occasional UTIs, everything comes back negative. We know about the sphincter and nerve issues. There’s been several things done over the years to treat including Botox but if the control isn’t there, there’s little effect. I’ve been offered permanent catheter solutions, but I’m not ready for that road, even though the UTIs would decrease.
I choose to live with leakage and try to live as “Normal” a life as possible. For the most part, diapers work okay and don’t interfere with my activities. There are times that get me down and result in extra cleanup work, but for now, I’m willing to deal with it this way, as I have nearly all my life.

If you can manage, and you are under competent medical care, wonderful. Bravo! I too had several Botox injections into my external sphincter, which were successful, but only temporarily; a sphincterotomy offered me permanent relief. For me, the goal is to manage successfully, but with enough flexibility to change as my body and its needs change.

Patrick,
Short answer is that Botox did not work. I’ve gotten to the point where I’m tired of being a science experiment.
I believe that they have great intentions though, but if I didn’t, I’d question their professional ethics to only perform medical procedures when there is a strong likelihood for success....
God only presents me with challenges that I’m able to live with every day and overcome. I believe that my challenges are certainly much less than a GREAT many!
I count my blessings, though have the “poor me” blues that hits me now and then.

I agree with RobertH, however, I don't dribble. Like Ellyn, I don't sense a full bladder. When urine collects in my bladder, I have a bladder spasm followed by an immediate gush. No warning beforehand that an involuntary void is coming. I practice timed voiding when I'm home or @work, but there are times in my day when a restroom isn't always available or I can't abruptly end a conversation or leave a meeting. I use Abena Abri-Flex pull-ups 24/7 (with a surface bed pad and waterproof mattress cover @night) because I also have motor skills issues from my stroke and don't get a good fit with tape-ons. When I was in my early 40s (nearly 20 years before diabetes set in and I had my stroke), I was told by my PCP that my bladder doesn't empty completely and it gets "over-full" (his words).

W.

Hi Fiacs,

not sure what you doc say, but there might be different reasons for your problem. One symptom of chronic prostatitis can be dribbling after voiding as well as urge symptoms and pain while voiding - it felt a bit like an UTI but isn't.

I found an interesting article in the net that deals about why Kegel might not be best advice in every case - not wondering that artice focus female - but the problem is for men the same and maybe even more important: https://pelvicpainrehab.com/female-pelvic-pain/507/why-kegels-are-bad-for-your-pelvic-floor/. I'd learned that chronic prostatitis may lead to an overdraw pelvic floor what may lead to a downward spiral because that may also one reason for a chronic prostatitis.

To make the long story short - a specialized physiotherapist can find out easily if this is the case for you and also have methods to improve the things. So it might an idea to ask the doc next time about his opinion about this.

The floods may have a different reasons, because as far as I know the likeness for this combined with chronic prostatitis isn't that high. So you might be right wondering about that. Did your doc allready made a UDT / cystometry? If not it might be a idea to check that out just to make sure it's nothing different.