Needing help

[talkhealth]

I’ve had continence issues for about ten years. I’ve tried quite a few treatments but my GP has really written me off and is unhelpful. I read about a couple of treatments that I might be able to try but not sure how to talk to my GP as he’s so uninterested. I really need help as my bladder issues are affecting how I feel about myself and life generally. It’s all really depressing and I just need help. Thank you Sarah

[Mr Mohammed Belal]

Dear Sarah

It would appear that you have long standing issues with incontinence. The treatment will depend on the actual cause of the incontinence. Combination of medication and physiotherapy can help urinary incontinence. If there is failure of medication and conservative measures, then a referral to secondary care is appropriate and I would suggest that explaining the large impact on your quality of life should help the discussions. In the community there are usually continence advisors who are keen to help and can be a way to obtain the appropriate treatment and advice. They can be an avenue of referral to secondary care