COVID-19 and increase of urinary incontinence

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Hello all. It's been awhile since I've been here but we are recovering from COVID-19. I was wondering if anyone else noticed an increase in their incontinence while recuperating from COVID-19? For example; I used to get a three second warning before my bladder would start to leak. Although I can't stop the leakage i could somewhat control the "speed" or "rate" of the leaking. I've always been afraid that if my urine came out too fast my pull-up wouldn't be able to handle it quick enough. Now however, I can not control the speed, and my short warning is gone. Now its like no sensation as a warning before I start urinating and not only does it come out at break-neck speed but the frequency has inreased incredibly. And sure enough, because it is happening so fast I have leaked on myself and this has not been an issue prior COVID-19. And nights have never been too much of an issue but now its happening at night too. I've wet the bed for the last four nights. I think if I didn't feel so sick it would be much more upsetting but honestly I'm too yuckie feeling to give it much of my energy. But my question is this: has anyone dealt with these issues with COVID-19? Did it get better and if so, how long did it take to see improvement? I know everyone is unique and I do have a telahealth appointment tomorrow with my neurologist so I will run it all by him then. Just when ya think things can't get worse....

 

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I can’t help with your questions, but I hope you recover soon!

 

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I'm sure your body is going thru hell right now due to covid.Probably the sickest you ever experienced so I'm think yeah that could be the cause.Your body is going thru something it has never been thru.Give it time and see if it changes.Good luck recover soon

 

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I think other folks have said the same
Be well!

 

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Hi,
I’ve always had OAB and bed wetting issues, but Covid affected my issues similar to what you’ve described. Covid was one of the worst sicknesses I’ve dealt with and has produced long lasting nerve damage. I had one of the original strains back in November 2020 and I’ve had worsening bladder problems since. No warning and no feeling of a full bladder. Just empties when it’s ready regardless of where I’m at or what I’m doing. Thankfully, I’m not dealing with retention. It’s been a big adjustment but overall happy to be alive.

For what it’s worth, my taste and smell are still messed up, and that’s been a harder pill to swallow. I’d love to smell coffee again…as it was before.

Hope your body recovers and that the damage isn’t permanent.

Best, Jetskier

 

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Yes, I am just recovering from Covid and have had the same experience over the last two weeks. My incontinence has definitely been more frequent and more uncontrollable, especially at night. I am praying it gets better...that and my smell and taste which are gone for now. Hoping for the best.
Good luck!

 

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I’m sure there will be studies coming out on incontinence and Covid.

The pharmacy where I get my supply of diapers from (have to use them for insurance purposes) said they’ve never had so many diaper sales in years. They have a whole basement full to keep up.

Also, being in the military, there’s apparently a bunch now through insurance going there for supplies. They’ve never had that before and now there’s like 12.

My issue started about a week after the vaccine. So I’m sure whether it’s the vaccine or Covid or both, there’s definitely some connection. My Urologist seems to think it’s more neurological, and Covid would explain the neurological part.

 

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Hi all,
Hope everyone had a nice holiday weekend. It’s been quite some time since I last posted. Mostly because things have improved for me the past 1/2 year. I occasionally check posts and saw this one. I agree with Boopsie on this. I received the vaccine last year and booster but got Covid in January. The symptoms were not that bad but I had a bad cough for a few weeks. I too suffered a relapse of my issues, which was hard to accept. My issues stem from 3 abdominal Hartman procedure surgeries, lacerated bladder and 3 current hernias. I am 100% sure that my relapse was due to Covid. I was doing fine till then. I have my 6 month f/u with my urologist next month, I’ll see what they say. I am in sales and back out in the field since November which makes things a bit difficult. At least I’ve been there, done that and I’ll get through it again. Wishing everyone my best as I look forward to the warmer weather. Take care.

 

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Hi there I had Covid at start of pandemic. I have noticed an increase in my urge incontinence. I hate to say this but it has been two years and the issue remains. I unfortunately find I wear protective underwear anytime I go out now. Because your right you get very little warning now.

 

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There are a few studies working on this subject, so all your experiences are real and valid, you're definitely not just thinking it or have a false perception on things.

One of these have this in its abstract:
"To the best of our knowledge, inflammation, and demyelination in the pudendal nerve can lead to bladder and bowel incontinence.9, 10 Pudendal neuropathy was reported in some viral infections such as HIV and herpes zoster, and multiple sclerosis.11 Due to innervation of anal and urethral sphincter by the pudendal nerve, It seems COVID-19 by inflammation and demyelination in the pudendal nerve, causes bladder and bowel incontinence."

 

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Thanks for posting this. Prior to Covid I’d had pretty good daytime control and for the most part had feeling and enough notice to make it to the restroom. Just the standard OAB symptoms before. After was a stark change and I knew something had changed. My Covid symptoms consisted of a high fever for a few days with the worst spinal pain I can remember. I also had the worst headache over those few days of acute symptoms. Was monitoring O2 levels over the duration and those dipped into the upper 70’s. Had nasty brain fog and fatigue in the months following. Still deal with getting tired and winded after any kind of physical activity.

Covid was a nasty one, but I’ve made enough recovery to resume a normal active life, so I’ll take that. Will be interesting to see how research on long Covid develops.