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It has been about a year since dealing with my incontinence. Still do not have answers to why and or what is causing this. Changed water intake, stopped drinking soda with no change. Have tried medication, physical therapy with no change.

1. They are doing MRI of pelvic area to check nerves.

2. They are doing electro therapy in my leg to stimulate the nerves.

If those do not work I feel I just need to accept this as my new normal.

I know there are other invasive options to try, but I am concerned with infection and side effects. I broke my petala 2 years ago and had reconstructive surgery and got an infection. That led to 3 months with pic line and IV antibiotics 5 times a day. In home blood work every 2 days. Had surgey to remove damage tissue clean the area, followed by final surgery to remove hardware. All in all not a fun time.

I am wondering if all of the risk pain and time is worth it and or just accepting it and just carry on as this is the normal for me. It is not like it is life and death and is substantial effecting every aspect of my life. It changes things, but is manageable.

What are others thoughts. I think as a man I am struggling more with self image, and the worlds view of a man.

This does not make me less of a person, less of a dad, less as a husband. If anything I am meeting a challenge and saying it will not define me or control my happiness.

Just some thoughts going through my brain. I welcome any feedback and thoughts. We all have our own journey and challenges.

Thanks,

Kevin

 

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@Kevin82

The MRI is not bad. I just had one done not long ago. Best advice is to drink a lot all the way up to when the cut you off (Normally midnight the night before) I went in very dehydrated and ended up with two blown veins.

Don't know about the electo therapy but good luck with that.

As for being a Guy. I know all to well how we get treated.

It was very much suck it up said to me with all this stated. Luckily for my my Physical therapist deserves sainthood and my PCP did not like my repeated ER/ED visits every time I went in to work.

I am very much still on the non-invasive road right now even knowing that it is going to have to happen some time.


My biggest fear is that whole, well you are better now go back to work mentality. Like, I tried that after surgery and now here I am am double incontinences and in pain all the time with no end in sight.

Keep your head up and trust yourself to know what is best for you.

 

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Kevin, only you can decide if the risks are worth taking. Even the medications have some (extremely) serious side affects and that alone precluded my playing around with every new drug that came along. I have accepted this because there were other problems more pressing in my life after my injury. Truthfully, I've never had to deal with ridicule from others or the stigma that comes with this. It sounds like you are handling it well. I've discovered that it's only as big a problem as I allow it to be.

 

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For me just accepting my incontinence and getting on with my life was the way forward.

 

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Hi Kevin, you do know your body better than anyone else and go according to your instincts and gut feelings. That said, gather all of the information you can about what you're facing and that way you can make a more informed decision. And also gain as much support and understanding as you can for those around you and do discuss your feelings with them.
I trust my instincts and if something that's proposed doesn't sound right or just doesn't sound like you'd get any benefit then you may say "this far and no farther."
So far it sounds like you're doing what you need to do. And go with the attitude that the only limits are those you impose on yourself.