Urinary Incontinence

[NicolaBlair]

Hi, I'm a 19 year old female who needs some advice. I have suffered from urinary incontinence since i was born really. The cause is confusing to me, as my mother took over the medical side, meaning the cause has never been explained to me.
I suffer from double duplex kidney, one of which is severely scarred from years of constant infections and the other is partially scarred also. As well as a double duplex kidney, I also suffer from douple duplex urethra, which as far as i have gathered from years of trying to listen to the conversations between my specialist and my mother, is the main cause of my kidney infections. ( One of the urethras is carrying urine back to the kidney)
I suffer from kidney infections at least once a month,most of the time i self medicate as the hospital routine of antibiotics and bedrest is tedious. The only time i admit myself to the hospital is when i suffer from a double kidney infection, which for some reason seems 100x more painful rather than just twice as much.
I am on countless amounts of drugs, (I have been on antibiotics EVERY day since I was 6) switched between different new fangled pills and techniques. All of which don't make a difference. Some make the pain easier, makes the infections pass a bit quicker but none stop the infections or give me any bladder control
I regulary self catherterise, double void, to prevent constant infections. The doctor stated that my bladder is around the size of a 50p, meaning i have no bladder muscle and it basically acts as funnel, holding no urine. I have had many operations, twice to block the spare urethras to prevent infection. Failed attempts to expand my bladder, give it more control.
I just realised i have failed to disclose that i am from Glasgow in Scotland but my main objective is to find out if anyone knows of any other techniques, surgery options, drug options or just general personal advice.
I just feel so isolated, there is no support groups and i am too ashamed to admit my problems to anyone, how on the outside i look perfectly normal and healthy but i have to wear special daytime underwear and nappie-like pads during the evening and even then it just stems the flow. I'm19 years old and too scared to share a room with anyone or even tell my secret to.

[cathrine001]

There is no shame here, but I empathise with your problem and I understand your emotional pain. I have kidney disease and ruptured discs and have had incontinency issues for about 5 years.

If you are 19, you have the right (I think) to discuss your medical history with your doctor, but I am unfamiliar with the laws in Scotland. If possible, gather your medical records and find another doctor for a second opinion -- maybe in a larger city with a teaching hospital. Being on antibiotics since the age of 6 is not only disturbing, but it may be dangerous. While you are not in the US, you may be able to get some information from webmd.com, or the nih.gov, which are sites on the Web located in the US.

I will keep you in my prayers that you will find an answer soon. God bless.