I've been struggling with incontinence for 3 years now.

I've tried herbal combinations--nada.
I've tried exercises and T.E.D.--great improvement but not a solution.

So does anyone have a solution to this problem.

I'm sure it's way down on the list, but have you talked to anyone about surgery?

Dr. mentioned sling surgery...about a year heard ads re problems with the sling.

I'd prefer to avoid surgery.

The best, short of surgery, is merely to do pubo-coccygeal exercises religiously.

Once the bladder has prolapsed (usually d/t birthing children) it's pretty hard to get it back where it belongs.

Unfortunately, any surgery that involves mesh implants can cause extreme inflammation in the pelvis. Hence, the ads for class action lawsuits. My sister had mesh inserted after she had breast reconstruction with abdominal fat. A little over a year later, she had multi-hour surgery to remove the mesh and all the scarring and adhesions from the inflammation and infection it caused.

Have you tried a pessary?

http://www.webmd.com/women/guide/pr...-bladder?page=3

Luckily I don't have a prolapsed bladder which is another reason I didn't opt for the surgery.

My muscles are weak, which have gotten better with exercise and T.E.D. My greater problem is urge incontinence, that is taking me longer and is more annoying/troublesome.

Sorry, I know this can be terribly debilitating. Things that have been very helpful for me are cutting out caffeine entirely, no sodas, plenty of plain water (though sometimes I have to convince myself on that one). I've been meaning to look into bio-identical topical estrogens, as I've heard that can help a lot. You might want to ask your doctor about that.

Found a large part of the problem. I was using T.E.D. for Urge Incontinence and Mixed. When I started using T.E.D. for Stress Incontinence I had much better results.

Hopefully I will continue to improve now that I know which type of incontinence I'm treating.

I just switched the setting due to frustration, duh.

Thanks for starting this topic, Zuleikaa.

I suffer from this too and it is embarrassing to talk about. I've been putting up with this for way too long now and with information you've provided, I may be able to get help.

In addition to avoiding caffeine and sodas, you may want to avoid other acidic beverages like cranberry and citrus juices. Since cranberry juice is often recommended for urinary problems, we had been giving it to my mother, but it made things worse.

Urge incontinence, is that when you feel like you have to go but don't have time to make it to the bathroom? As of lately I will feel like I have to go pee so head to the bathroom and will just start tinkling before I make it to the bathroom.

Yep that's urge incontinence. It's also when you get the urge and your body can just release the urine right there. It's a matter of degree.

I was dealing with a lesser version of that: the minute I drove my car into the garage, I had to go. NOW.

Even if I'd just gone a few minutes before I left wherever I had been. I read that that kind of problem was common for women, especially after having had kids. Our urethras are much shorter than men's, and all the stretching, etc of pregnancy can shift things, and not in a good way.

The solution sounded like self torture, but I tried it. Make myself wait 5 minutes after I got home, rather than rushing into the bathroom. And gradually increasing the waiting time. Kegeling all the way, of course.

Crazily enough, it worked. Now, if I really have to go when I get home, I really had to go before I left!

This book, The Bathroom Key, was invaluable. I purchased copies for friends and family.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...key%2Caps%2C719

This is the TENS device I use; they also have kegal balls and weights. Sorry, I can't find the direct to consumer sales site; if anyone has it, please post it.
http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale...ciser+for+women

Thank you for sharing this info.

Please explain what the T.E.D. device that you got actually is. I clicked the link and see a page of Kegel exercisers but nothing about a TED device.