www.incontinentsupport.org

Hi all,
I've been doing some thinking. I now have enough $ in my HSA account to cover seeing a urologist (only been seeing Gen Pract.) about my moderate incontinence if I wanted to do so. Is there would any benefit to doing so now, or should i wait until it gets worse, or alternatively try more self help first and then go? Here's my take:

- I know I have a moderately enlarged prostate and tests for cancer have come back negative
- I dribble after using the can and at other times too
- I usually sleep through the night
- I wake up each morning badly needing to go and occasionally experience nocturnal enuresis
- I've been pretty sedentary (i.e. lazy) for a long time but recently joined the gym and am working out (weights and cardio) 3-4 times a week
- I drink 2 10 oz. mugs of 1/2 caff coffee a day
- I drink one glass of wine per day on average
- Herbal supplements lessen the symptoms like poor urine flow, dribbling (not completely though), etc.
- I am about 12 lbs overweight. I should be 110 and I'm 122.
- I urinate 8-10 times per day on average but I know some days are 11-12.
- I am not diabetic and diabetes isn't in the family.

Would whatever tests a doctor would do be worth the time and money? Is there more I could be doing on my own? Is going to a Dr. right now a waste of money? Would he charge me a $100 to tell me "Get more exercise and drink less"?

G

Although you have only very light incontinence, it is likely that your urologist will require a series of tests, rather than diagnose and prescribe based upon just the initial consultation. Will your health coverage also include the cost of the tests?

I am scheduled for my first urologist consultation in two days. My symptoms may be worse than yours, but are irregular in that they vary between light and severe incontinence. Because they come and go, I delayed scheduling an appointment with a urologist. Also, my primary care doctor expressed his doubt at a decisive outcome, based on my extensive pelvic trauma from old accidents. However, someone on this board pointed out that I still need to verify that all is physically well with the plumbing and that there is nothing more serious of a medical nature.

With regard to undergoing the tests, the statements from others on this board indicate that their experiences ranged from only mild discomfort to serious discomfort.

Nonetheless, it would appear that the best choice for each of us is to see our urologist. Good luck with your appointment and let us know what happens.

--John

Hi John,
Regarding the cost of tests and so forth, I have a $5K deductible so I have to cover the 1st $5K of medical expenses. If the urologist does want to run tests I have to pay for them out of pocket via my HSA account. I'm somewhat distrustful of the medical profession and so I'm leery of tests being ordered that aren't necessary. I'm also leery of meds depending on the circumstances. For instance my Gen Pract. prescribed 2 meds to shrink my prostate. The 1st is really a blood pressure medication and since my blood pressure is fine I don't want to take the med. The side effects (first dose phenomena) are fainting, dizziness, etc. The 2nd med needs 6 months min before it starts to have any effect and it unfortunately masks the antigen used to detect prostate cancer. It does reduce the likelihood of getting prostate cancer but if you get the cancer it is far likely to be a more severe situation.

G

It sounds like you have the classic symptoms of an overgrown prostate which, assuming it has not got cancerous, would normally be treated by an operation to reduce it is size. Before that was done, I would expect a urologist to first of all inspect the problem with a flexible cystoscopy and, maybe, have a scan done. Unlike the medications, that ought to a permanent solution but at a price.

If you are lucky things won't get much worse and you can live with that but things can get tough if the prostate continues to expand as one can get to a state where the ability to pee stops and a hospital visit for a catheter becomes and emergency.

Hi, G. Free advice from a woman may be worth exactly that - nothing - to you. Nevertheless, since you have been diagnosed with enlarged prostate and have had only moderate success with the herbal supplements, I think a urology appointment is in order, especially if you got your diagnosis 6 months or more ago. In addition, drinking a little less coffee and a little more water might calm an over-stimulated/overactive bladder, if that's what's really going on. Since you have a history of Nocturnal Enuresis, you may be just stressing out over the dribbling (and/or other stressful stuff going on in your life). Getting an answer may end your occasional wet nights.

Wetters

yesterday was the 1st day of cutting my coffee intake in half and I intend to give up coffee by mid-next week. I'm hitting the gym most days so I'm more active now. Cutting coffee from full caff to half helped me a few years ago and relieved urinary symptoms so I'm hoping this help. I'll ditch wine too if I have to (I hope I don't) .

Regarding the herbal treatments, the dosage recommended on the bottle is 2 pills once or twice a day and I've been taking it only once. Sorry but I'm a tightwad and I didn't want to burn through the bottle too quickly. However yesterday I bit the bullet and I started the 2x a day routine.

I'm waiting for a call back from a urologist so I can make an appt. I'm paying cash via my HSA so I'm going to ask what the cost is going to be for an appt up front. I may delay specific treatments so I can fill my HSA acct a bit more. I don't have any credit cards and don't want one.

Thanks for the advice all and to Wetters, I say keep up with advice. A woman's experience with prostates may be limited but that doesn't mean your advice or opinion is valueless.

G

Go see an urologist and have a second opinion, My family doctor prescribed flow max to treat my issue before doing any tests as we were heading south for a vacation shortly after the visit to the Dr . We read the side effects and decided I should not to take the medication. Once we got back from vacation I saw an urologist for the first time, thought it was only a consultation visit but ended up on an exam table with a camera where no camera should go but I have to say the video was interesting to watch.

There was a slight discomfort when the camera got to a point just before hitting the blader area. It's worth getting every thing checked by a urologist as the first thing he said about the prescribed meds that flow max would have done nothing for my (OAB) $70 for meds down the drain.

Get checked out and follow the correct dosage or talk to your doctor again about the meds. It's great to save money but it's not worth saving a few $ if they can find and fix a issue before it becomes bigger

Last thing you want to be able to say if you don't catch somthing in time is well at least I saved a couple of bucks

I got lucky and every thing looked good prostate and cancer wise just have to wear protection 24/7 but it's worth the peace of mind it's not a major issue just an annoying flood once or twice a day.

I started out like you small leaks and wet underware then it grew to full flooding