Incontinence

[Markbreton]

Hi again everyone!!! Tammy has been having incontinence for 4-5 months now and she is wearing pads to catch the dribbling.... From what we have surmised bladder control is not affected by ALS. Her Dr. is not being much help. I'm just wondering if anyone else has experience this???? Update: Bulbar ALS, diag Feb 06. Tammy still can walk with the help of a walker.... and without at times, uses a scooter to go shopping and is still positive and independent. Keep it up honey!!!!!!
Mark

[Al]

Hi Mark. I forget if you ever said how old Tammy is but most menopausal or post menopausal women my wife hangs out with do have incontinence problems especially wih laughing or sneezing. There are meds to help and surgery is an option in severe cases. Sad to say it but I've found that some docs think you're going to die anyway so they can't be bothered. Push yours to do something.

AL.

[Al]

Checked with Lee. She takes Detrol 4mg one per day and her sister uses it too and they have had great results. Talk to the Doctor.

AL.

[Patsy]

You need to see a urologist. No one can say for certain that that ALS doesn't affect the bladder, for sure; especially when bulbar symptoms are present. Elavil can help. A toilet routine can help also.
Patsy

[Markbreton]

Tammy is 53 and has gone through menopause. We have seen the urologist and I must admit but did not want to say it, I think he feels she is going to die anyway so why bother, just as you have stated. I'll make an appointment with our family Dr. and suggest the meds mentioned above. It seems once diagnosed everything from that point on is ALS related and they cant do anything! BULL&^%$. I've found out more on this forum in the last 2.5 years than from any Doctor.
Mark

[BethU]

I think you're all correct ... there are things that can be done to correct this without straining the patient.

In addition to effective meds and Kegal exercises (which may be difficult for PALS to do), there is a simple surgical procedure that takes about 5 minutes and eliminates the problem.

Stress incontinence in older women is usually a result of either having given birth or having had a hysterectomy. In both situations, extra space has been created in the abdomen, and organs shift around. Often, the bladder tips to one side, which causes a dribble during a sneeze or cough ... or even just when you're changing positions, like turning over in bed.

There is a simple procedure in which a urologist injects some silicone granules into the area (they usually go through the vagina ... no incision), which props the bladder back into it's correct position. Problem solved.

Perhaps if you can find a urologist who specializes in women's issues, you will get a more understanding ear. I think doctors should make quality of life the #1 issue for all PALS. And bladder control for both men and women is absolutely a quality of life issue!

Kick some butt on this! There are solutions, from meds on up ...
BethU

[olly]

i had a hysterectomy 10yrs ago aged 31yrs old due to cancer and other stuff(i wont go into the details with men present lol).
i have stress incontinance when coughing or sneezing,general bladder/pelvic weakness.
they now recognise bladder problems are a symptom in pls,were as it was just thought to be hsp.
if this is a umn symptom then it could be possible in als,you never know.
take good care.
caroline

[ilgal]

I too am beginning to have incontinence but it's not when sneezing, coughing, or laughing. When I decide I'll go to the bathroom either due to a "need to go" sensation or just because I'll be leaving the house and should use the facilities before I do, I'd better get there right away because I'll start dribbling. And heaven help me if I have an uncooperative zipper because I'll have totally wet pants. I try to distract myself by thinking about other thins til I get on the toilet. Mark, does Tammy have this problem or the leak when you sneeze problem? Those of you who know about Detrol and meds, do you think they help with my kind of problem? By the way, I'm 59,post-menopausal and haven't had any incontinence problems before.

[shelly2612]

Although ALS usually does not involve the bladder muscles in the early
phases, people with ALS frequently develop an irritable bladder with urinary
urgency and frequency. This may be due to the loss of motor control
over the brain centers for urination. In addition, urinary tract infections
will also increase bladder spasms and frequency of urination. Therefore,
when there is a marked increase in urinary frequency, an analysis of a urine
sample should be performed, and any infection should be treated with
antibiotics. In men, the prostate gland may be enlarged, resulting in the
need to urinate frequently. Medication may be helpful to relax the bladder
and lessen urinary symptoms if no infection is present.

this was found on on the alsconnection website chapter 6

[Al]

Hi ilgal. Checked with Lee and she says the meds stopped that problem too.

AL.

[ToVictoria]

Hi There,
My Mother has ALS and is also on her last stages using a walker. My Mothers ALS specialist, and also her Nerologist ( which is Chief of the Nerology Dept.) has stated that when a person has extreme muscle weakness in their torso and legs...for example, due to the ALS, it is not uncommon to have urinary and/or fecal incontinence. From all my own studing, this makes a lot of sense. In my opinion, what ever doctor would say that muscle weakness would not contibute to incontinence seems off.


QUOTE=Markbreton;53816]Hi again everyone!!! Tammy has been having incontinence for 4-5 months now and she is wearing pads to catch the dribbling.... From what we have surmised bladder control is not affected by ALS. Her Dr. is not being much help. I'm just wondering if anyone else has experience this???? Update: Bulbar ALS, diag Feb 06. Tammy still can walk with the help of a walker.... and without at times, uses a scooter to go shopping and is still positive and independent. Keep it up honey!!!!!!
Mark[/QUOTE]

[olly]

i have alot of weakness in the torso and pelvic area from the muscle spasms.
i do believe this has contributed to the incontinance.
i did read a article the other day were it said incontinance can be part of als in the later stages.
take care.
caroline

[Markbreton]

Thanks for all your replies.... Tammy dribbles when she has the urge to pee...like metioned above, if she gets delayed getting to the washroom, thats when it happens the most. She now wears pads to help and she is waiting to see the urologist. She is not experiencing problems with fecal matter at this time.
Mark

[Patsy]

That is why regular toiletting routine is imperative. Works for me!
Patsy