Incontinence pads and beyond
Open Door - February 2007 page 7
Jenny Henderson
In November's Open Door we published an article that discussed some of the indignities an unthinking system heaps on someone who needs to use continence products. Jenny Henderson lived through such an experience but now shares with us a more dramatic solution to her symptoms.
I lived (or existed) through all the problems that the previous writer encountered and went on to have firstly an in-dwelling catheter (useless), then a supra-pubic catheter (which in my case was also useless, but for many is the answer to urinary incontinence).
Being constantly wet and smelly, I became a hermit and wouldn't go out. However, I found this to be impossible, since I am a rather gregarious person and sought a further answer to my very unsociable problem. Luckily, I met a consultant urologist who was very sympathetic to my situation and arranged for me to have a urostomy formed. I have to admit to this being an horrendous operation and was fully aware that I might not make it, but realised that my quality of life was so poor that I had no alternative than to undergo the surgery.
My bladder was removed (this does not always happen, but mine was the size of a walnut and the surgeon wanted to be sure it was not cancerous). A small stoma - an opening constructed when the bowel is brought to the skin surface - was made and the ureters - the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder - were joined to this. A bag has to be worn permanently, but they are very unobtrusive and cannot be seen under normal clothes. After a couple of months, I was able to drive my car again and restart my life. I am now the editor of the Urostomy Association Journal, since I was so grateful for this opportunity to enjoy life again and wanted to tell others what an advantage this was.
I now also have a colostomy since, shortly after the urostomy was formed, I found I had become bowel incontinent. This time, no messing around, I knew what could be done and was determined to find a surgeon who would be prepared to operate.
So I now have two bags stuck to my abdomen – a small price to pay to be totally continent. I also feel that I have beaten my MS in this regard since it is only because the brain sends the wrong messages to bladder and bowel that incontinence may occur.
Read the previous Open Door article on continence pads
Changes in prescription of continence appliances
Did you know that the Department of Health is proposing changes in 2007 that could affect you if you use prescribable continence appliances (such as sheaths, drainage bags, urinary catheters etc)? Users of some continence appliances may need to change to another product and home delivery services may cease if these proposals are implemented.
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