www.incontinentsupport.org

Well, yesterday was the big day. I don't suppose seeing a new doctor and revealing my incontinence made the whole thing any easier. To say the least, I was a wreck. I stuttered stammered and finally go it out. He quickly began directing the conversation towards "Urologist". I think this is the "go to" answer for all GPs. I must have shocked him with my overly emotional response towards urologists as he back pedaled quickly and began asking more questions. After hearing my anxiety issues and listening to the whole story he told me there are medications that can help. He then asked me questions about my prostate and the typical voiding problems.

His final diagnosis ended up Overactive Bladder. Wow! No extensive invasive tests, no running here and there, just a pee sample and blood work there in his office. He prescribed the standard Oxybutynin 5mg extended release. This is what I was really hoping for. I've been managing my OAB and it's inevitable problems for fifteen years and I just find the whole Urological solution more than I can emotionally handle. I'm really hoping the drug provides some reduction of the symptoms at the very least. If the Oxybutynin doesn't do the job or the side effects are too extreme I'll try the other drugs out there. I don't really have a lot to lose other than a few bucks. Then, if the drugs can't get the job done, I'll drop the whole incontinence treatment by the medical profession and just carry on with my life.

Now that my doctor, loved ones and friends are aware of my situation, the fear and embarrassment are tremendously reduced. As long as there continues to be no symptoms that suggest a serious problem I believe I have a path that I am comfortable with. If that means a diaper now and again, so what. Like my sister that's an RN in a large hospital said, if you decide to wear diapers, you'll be in good company, half of the patients she sees are in diapers.

So, thank you all for your replies and support thru this overwhelming ordeal fort me. Ted

Wow. Really glad you found a doctor that will work with you. That makes all the difference.

Congrats Ted for making it there. I know from your post you have struggle greatly with this. Hopefully, the meds work for you, but like you sister said "You are not alone"

I'm glad to hear that it went well, Ted. You're in good company here! I took four of the seven available meds. I had no luck with medications as they have an extremely low success rate. But I tried them anyway. All they did for me was make me constipated and give me awful dry mouth. I found diapers and then later, Foley catheters to be a much better way to manage. I wish you great success with your medication!! Just be aware you may have to try more than one, and then you may find that it isn't the best available solution for you.

Ted,
Finding a good medical team is harder than most think, but it sounds like you have one that will work for you and not the hospitals wallet. Your sister is right you are not alone. Most here don't know what dry is, we just adapt and move on.

Thank you all for your support. It really has been a huge relief to come here and discuss my concerns. As much as my friends and family try to support me, they firstly have no idea what I'm dealing with and secondly, are really uncomfortable talking about it. You folks have been there, done that. You know where I'm coming from. Once again, thanks. Ted

Ted,
Please give out the information on your journey with your medication. It may help someone else that is thinking about trying this med. I hope it works for you.

Hello mljhr, Yes, I'll keep posting on this. I would have liked to seen how the meds worked for the folks that have taken them. The posts here are somewhat jaded I think as the majority of the posters have had no luck with the drugs.
There's got to people that have had drugs work for them or they wouldn't still be producing them I'd think. That said, I have read that OAB drugs have seen a discontinuation rate of 80% at one year. That means something is happening. I'm hoping that it means the problem has gone away. .....yeah.....right....

Also, how do you folks think I should post this information. A new topic each post, or a continuous ongoing post?
Thanks, Ted

I think that the people for whom the medications for overactive bladder work well no longer have any need to participate in an incontinence forum. So we don't hear from them.

Ted, I'm convinced OAB is their code for "we know something is going on with your bladder, but we don't know what". Don't read too much into that diagnosis. You really should see a urologist about it, your GP doctor isn't going to be very specialized in this or any other field for that matter. I know that anxiety based fear can be a big hold back for you, but you really just need to try and overcome it (I know easier said than done right). These doctors really and truly do see patients in diapers a LOT. Think about how many diapers are sold in every store in the USA They don't stock that many diapers for something that won't sell very often! It's way more common than you might think and there is nothing to be embarrassed or anxious about with it.