Bladder Incontinence - Scared to Tell Doctor

I am scheduled for an appointment with a new gyno tomorrow. I have been on medical leave from work due to upper respiratory problems. I also had a pelvic ultrasound that showed I have fibroids, one the size of a baseball. I am concerned about going back to work and then needing time off again for the hysterectomy that is impending.

My real issue, since reading everyone's posts is that I have been peeing on myself when coughing and not as much as prior (just a little bit, enough to be a nausance but not an embarrassment). Now it's enough to change my underwear.

So I'm afraid to tell the doctor because he may want to push the surgery off until I have consulted and secured a urologist to accompany him for any bladder repairs (if needed.)

What do you ladies think I should do? Mind you I haven't been scheduled for surgery. This gyno said his earliest open surgery date is 6/19. I was hoping to fill this spot so as not to be back to work and off again but I don't know what is going to happen until tomorrow.

As you can see, I'm really :confuse: and upset :cry: and I need your input.

Thank you in advance

I think it's worth a mention. You may be pleasantly surprised to find (1) you don't need any bladder work, removing the fibroids may fix your problem; or (2) your DR will do the surgery for you.

This is one of those things you can work out with your DR, usually. If s/he recommends a bladder lift you can stress that you want to wait and do that later. S/he can't force you into an operation you don't want or one you don't want to do right now. It's worth voicing your concerns that you don't want anything to stall your hyst since it's important you return to work as quickly as possible.

Of course, the new DR may not schedule your hyst for the 19th anyway. S/he may not want to operate due to the upper respiratory problems or, as a new patient, s/he may want to have time to review your entire chart and will feel too rush to operate so soon after meeting you.

If the problem bothers you enough to mention it here, it's worth mentioning to your DR.

{{{{{ Bev}}}}}

If your having incontinent issues please let the know, it would be to your best interest to IF your needing some kind of help . The Urologist will run a Stress & Urodynamic test to see if your problem can be resolved by exercise, medication or surgery. It would be better to undergo only one surgery rather than two. You will be shocked on how fast those Doc's can get you in So give it a shot, if anything-you need to see a specialist sooner or later..right

Take Care and 's to you

my surgery is tomorrow,
when I had my first check with dr and we decided to do the TAH he asked me if I was having any problems with any leaking, then he checked and said it seemed fine but would look at every thing closer and decide if it needs anything when he gets in there, but tell them , s/he will probly be able to fix it themselves!!
good luck to you
Sheila

like the above posters said, DO mention to your GYN about your bladder issues..i too am dealing with leakage due to uterine prolapse..i've gone the urologist route with no help at all.my GYN diagnosed me and is the one who'll be doing the bladder tack along with the other work (tvh/a&p repair/bladder tack on 7/21)..so make sure you get in to see your GYN and be totally honest with him/her.......stay well *diana*

I agree, mention it to your doc. They do this all of the time. Stress incontinence is one of the most common issues that they deal with. Most gyn. docs do this kind of surgery at the same time as the hyst. It is much easier to have only one surgery instead of two.
Good luck!!

I agree with all the replys above

I have suffered from inconti problems for the past 18 years, (under a gyni 10 years ago, had all the bladder tests, had an inconti nurse for 18 months, declined surgery and tried the pelvic floor exercises, which worked very well and managable up until 1999/2000) when I finally visited my DR in 2001 for severe painful periods, painfull sex etc I also mentioned my inconti problems again which were getting me down. My DR referred me to a lovely gyni who did lots of tests and referred me to another gyni who specializes in TVT (transvaginal tension tape for stress incont) it was this gyni who carried out my whole surgery as I did not wish to have 2 operations - believe me it was worth the wait, if it had ment waiting to have them both done at the same time I would have waited, as it was I had my operation within 20 days of seeing my main gyni and making my mind up to have TVH BSO + TVT

I feel wonderful, first time in a very long time that I have not had to wear pads, dont dribble when I cough, sneeze, exercise, lift or when having sex - thanked my gyni very much, told him if I could get away with it I'd kiss him ! best thing I ever did

Take care, please mention it to your DR or Gyni - it will be worth it

Bluebell

I saw my today and told him about the incontinence...Thank you all so very much for this input, it gave me the courage to tell him without worry. He informed me that the bladder is held up by ligaments and that he would not need to concern himself with it. He further stated that my incontinence may be from the pressure of the fibroids. Luckily he said he would do the surgery on 6/26. I am very grateful for the date being set and the pre-op appointment being completed.

Thank you ladies again for your input. Here is a from me for your support. It was meant a great deal.

Hi Bev,

I also am having stress incontinence especially with coughing, sneezing, etc. I told my Dr about it. have an appointmetn today for urodynamics testing. If there is a problem she stated that she would add a Burch procedure to mt hysterectomy. This is basically a bladder tack. She did not state that I had to see a urologist and surgery won't be postponed. It will all be taken care of at the same time. so please mention it to your Dr. you might be surprised at the results.

Kim
ONE WEEK TO GO!!!!!