I"m getting rather pissed off at this...

[gymnafreak]

Well, as some of you know i have urinary incontinence and it sucks (let me tell you) and have had it for like... 3 years now, and its really getting on my nerves. A because nobody else will own up to having it, and according to "studies" 2/3 of gymnasts report having even a small amount of incontinence occasionally so that would mean that 2576 people on here either have it or are a parent/coach of somebody who has it. It is so flippin annoying and it bothers me so much trying to hide it from everybody and wearing pads 5 days a week, and worrying about smelling and getting pee on stuff and GRRRRR!!!!!!
I went to a pediatric specialist of somesort and he pretty much told me that there was nothing he could do because he wouldn't do surgery on a 15 year old girl, so yeah.
If anybody has ANY advice for me it would be greatly appreciated, or just somebody to talk to that has it and is also most likely thoroughly pissed off about it. Feel free to private message me.

 

[Mack_the_Ripper]

I'm sorry I can't offer you any advice. I haven't had a problem with urinary incontinence or anything similar for seven years (a bladder infection), and nor have I encountered anyone in gymnastics with a similar problem. Do your couches know about your problem? It may be sort of embarrassing and they probably don't want to talk about it either, but it will be easier to avoid a misunderstanding later if you've talked about it before.

Once again, my apologies for your unfortunate situation. Do you know when you can get surgery? Or you could get another doctor's opinion to see if maybe they could do surgery because it's obviously affecting your life. I would imagine that it's very tough to be a teenager with urinary incontinence. My advice is a second opinion on the surgery.

 

[mtbmom]

I'm sorry you are having problems. A doctor who specializes in gynecologic urology or urology can advise you of exercises that may help. The treatment depends a lot on the cause.

My best advice is to seek further medical advice.

Sue Z

 

[Pineapple_Lump]

I can't stand Mary Lou, but perhaps this is what you are looking for?
Exercise for Urinary Incontinence - Watch WebMD Video

Definatly see your doctor though.

 

[aerialriver]

I know they have a couple of meds out for that. Have you tried any? I would also seek another doctors advice. I don't understand why they would not do the surgery if it is nessary and this is not going to be a problem you outgrow.

 

[fishchimes]

I know that I occasionally 'wet myself' a bit (not a noticable amount) on trampoline or when I concentrate really really hard on tumbling.

I have never done it outside of gym, though.

I think you should probably look for another doctor; I'm sure there must be something you can do in the meantime.

It's one of those things where you think, shoot, why couldn't it be something else?? Why this??

 

[gymnafreak]

Thanks everybody for your advice!
Pineapple_Lump- I did see that video when i was researching incontinence on the internet. I've been doing exercises since i went to the doctor last summer.
aerialriver- They had me try sudafed, but that didn't work and i guess i haven't been back to the doctor since last summer.

I'll probably end up going back to a doctor of some sort sometime.
Thanks again for all of your replies!!

 

[nicci1999]

You have to do those exercises constantly for awhile, just like any other muscle to build up(in case you haven't been....). And this might sound silly, but it can work(working with the elderly for years!!!) try re potty training yourself. Just like with a child or a puppy, put yourself on a schedule, and stick to it. And as another poster mentioned, there are meds as well that you can take. See if you can get into a urologist as others have suggested, but hopefully in the meantime....Best of luck with this.

 

[cher062]

I'm sorry you are having problems. A doctor who specializes in gynecologic urology or urology can advise you of exercises that may help. The treatment depends a lot on the cause.

My best advice is to seek further medical advice.

Sue Z

I agree I think too I would get a second opinion from a specialist. There are lots of treatments out there to deal with this. And they need to find out what is causing it. Sometimes its an injury sometimes it just stress etc.

Here is a great article that might be of help to you in determining your next step.

Incontinence: A Woman's Little Secret

and

http://organizedwisdom.com/helpbar/...s_5008097_what-causes-incontinence-teens.htmlhttp://organizedwisdom.com/Urinary_Incontinence_in_Teens

Here is a little excerpt from it.

"Women in high-impact sports are at highest risk -- parachuters, gymnasts, runners," says Moalli. "In these sports, you're hitting the ground hard, which can damage pelvic muscles and connective tissue that support the bladder."

"For these girls and women, simply wearing a tampon or pessary -- a device similar to a diaphragm -- during exercise is a good solution, says Galloway. "They just need a little something to support those pelvic tissues, something to put pressure on the urethra."

 

[Catya]

I remember I had a bladder infection in the 5th grade. That sucked. I can imagine how you must be feeling now. I hope you can do something; find a good urologist or some doctor who can help you. Good luck with that!