Hi Mike
Thank you for reaching out to us. It’s good to see that you are seeking support for your wife’s incontinence, and that she isn’t facing these difficulties alone.
Incontinence is common after a stroke. Initially, continence difficulties can be quite distressing but with support, they can be treated, managed, and often cured.
Incontinence refers to poor control of bladder or bowel. There are many changes post stroke that can lead to incontinence. Here are a few examples:
- Damage to part of the brain that controls bladder and bowels
- Difficulty walking or getting to the toilet in time
- Communication difficulties that stop people asking for help
- Thinking, memory, and judgement difficulties
- Vision changes
- Diet
- Medications.
It is important to find the underlying cause of your wife’s incontinence.
Continence Foundation helpline
A good first step is to call the Continence Foundation helpline and speak with one of their nurse continence specialists. The helpline is a free service. I’d suggest calling the helpline as soon as you can – they really are the experts and will have some good advice for you.
Call 1800 33 00 66.
Website: www.continence.org.au
Which professionals can help?
Ask your wife to talk with her GP. The GP can make an initial assessment, address her medications, and link her in with the appropriate health professionals.
The GP may refer your wife to a continence clinic, which may include medical, nursing and physiotherapy. The GP may also refer to a dietician, other allied health professional or specialist depending on the underlying cause of incontinence.
Treatment options
Treatment options for incontinence may include bladder or bowel training, pelvic floor exercises, medication, bladder stimulation, bladder and bowel diary, dietary changes and addressing physical and cognitive impacts from stroke.
Resources
The Stroke Foundation’s EnableMe website has this incontinence resource page including a factsheet and podcast that may be useful.
StrokeLine can also help with information, support, or advice about recovery after stroke. We’re great listeners.
Call StrokeLine on 1800 787 653, Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm AEST. You can also email strokeline@strokefoundation.org.au
With kind regards,
Kath, StrokeLine
I am in the same boat as she is but lost the use of my right side to and need assistance , you can see a specialist who might help , but then dont think the are god , they might give you advice but thats only what they have learnt but not been thru it . Basicaly I am to badly damaged for there help .