www.incontinentsupport.org

I am so happy that I found this forum! I just recently became incontinent, and I am really struggling with it. I am sad, scared, humiiliated, confused, and uncomfortable. I have always leaked just a tiny bit, and I just figured I had a goofy bladder. within the last two or three months, I have been having a hard time telling when I have to go, until it is really really urgent, and sometimes I don't make it in time. About two weeks ago, I realized that I have lost the feeling completely, when I completely emptied my bladder at work (wet my pants). I immediately went to the doctor, and he said that it must be a side effect from my antidepressant. A few days after that, I went to a different doctor. She said that it can't be the antidepressants. My urine, blood, and rectal exam were all noormal. She want much help. I recently found that there is a continence center in town that helps people with this. (The doctors failed to tell me about the place), but I can't get in for an exam and physical for a couple weeks.

I was told that I need to start wearing nappiies, which was a lot for me to take. Even iif the medication is the cause, I can't just stop taking it, because incontinence is also one of the effects of the withdrawl from my medication along with many other things.

I also have been wetting at night. I really don't know what to do. Right now, there is no way to know what the cause is or how long I will have to live like this. I'm scared and uncomfortable. I don't even know where to start with any of this and I have a million questions. I am 21 and male. If anyone can offer me any advice, please reply asap.

It is a difficult adjustment to make. It can be made a bit easier if you have people to talk with. Try to find a support group in your area for incontinence. People that have been dealing with it for a long time can help you through the adjustments.

_________________
When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade.

Earl,
Thanks for joining our forum and your first post. You have come to the right place for support. You're on the right track in speaking with your doctors trying to find the cause. Normally it takes a long time and a lot of trial and error.
Don't let the stigma of having to wear a diaper for protection. Like a lot of people have said on the board, it's just a another type of underwear. Please feel free to ask all the questions you can think of. There are many people on this site that's ready to help! ....Paul Martin

I am glad you found us and I sure hope you will get the support and info you need here!

Of course you are scared and uncomfortable! For anyone to lose control of urine and wet their pants is a disaster that few can understand who have never "been there".

Incontinence is cruel...it happens to young and old alike and all ages in between....and I say "cruel" because bladder control is so basic....no one thinks much about it until they have trouble holding it and then have accidents and then find they need to "do something" to prevent the accidents.

You are "doing the something", so I applaude you! You are seeking professional evaluation and you are considering protection. I know, as so many others know who read this board, it is tough accepting diapers. I want you to know many others have been down this road that you face! Diapers are a big help.....no one has to know you are wearing a diaper and the protection you get from the unexpected voiding lets you go about your life, with a little less stress.

Hopefully there will be help for you; we have had one great success story with SociologyGeek....you may wish to read the threads he has written. He is another youngster who had to resort to diapers but he persisted and found a solution to his problem.

For many others, sad to say, it is a story of acceptance of the nasty blow we get when incontinence hits. You'll read how meds rarely help and the side effects are often worse than wearing diapers.

The mental game is a whole different thing. You are stressed because you fear you may wet your pants in public....but you are also stressed when you put on a diaper, fearing people can tell and you feel awkward and uncomfortable wearing a diaper. That's a hard battle but most here will tell you accepting diapers comes to most of us and after that, life is a lot easier....just as Paul said; we look at diapers as just another type of underwear.

Diapers can give you peace of mind as you get on with your life and look into what may be done to help your incontinence or even cure it.

Ask your questions and post your feelings...there is a lot of experience amongst the people on this board!

JoeK

Biskit Earl,
I have suffered with manic depression since my early teens, and there are a couple of medications out there for depression thatare used to help with incontinence problems, but, there are a hell of a lot of the anti depressents that are being used that can cause incontinence problems as well!

the reason for this is, in some people, the chemicals used in the medication cause cause the bladder to loose its elastic nature, therefore it cannot empty full, which naturally leads to difficulties.
the other thing is, being on anti dpereesents can dull the sensation which tells you you need to use the bathroom. again this is in 'some' people.

i think, like everyone else here, that you have taken the first and hardest step towards getting help, and thats by seeing your doctor, and yes, the doctor 'should have' told you about the continence center, but it seems to be something they dont think of! mine didnt either!
but the important thing is, you are going to get help.

there are all kinds of pads available, it depends on the severity of the problem and also the frequency of voiding urine as well. But the people at the continence center will help you with that side of things and help you choose a product, should you need one, that suits you.

like joe said, please dont hesitate to ask whatever questions you need to have answered, there seems to be a lot of people here (new myself) and from the posts i have read, they are all willing to help!

Mike

I was one that had lost some feeling as to when I needed to go.Then I had a heart attack and the Doctor put me on Crest star and I lost more feeling.Now I don`t feel dressed with out a diaper on if I need it or not.As Sandy I think I may have turned into a DL.I know it sure makes life easer even when I don`t use my diaper I know it is there if needed.