Guest guest Posted June 29, 2010 Report Share Posted June 29, 2010 Is there a standard scale to measure incontinence? I read of men in this list who are having problems long after others are OK. Can we measure incontinence by number of pads per day (but here we have to measure tolerance for volume in the pad), or do we measure by noting how often we have leakage. Is one or two squirts a day when lifting something incontinence or just a nuisance? When does incontinence turn into just a bother? It would be helpful if we had a standard scale saying that I am at Level 3. It would then be helpful and encouraging to note that some man was at Level 5 a month ago, but now is at Level 4, etc. For discussion purposes, I put forward the follow based on personal experience and for discussion purposes only. Levels apply only to day time activity. Level 0: No leakage, no more than once a month. Level 1: Leakage rarely, difficult to decide to go with or without a pad as determined by type of activity planned. Level 2: One pad a day, more only if doing very vigorous activity like lots of lifting, walking behind a lawn mower. Level 3: No flow when rising from a chair and gentle walking, but extended exercises would require a pad. 2-3 pads a day. Level 4: Flow when rising from a chair, sitting down, bending at the waist, lifting anything heavier than a few pounds. 5-7 pads a day. Level 5: Significant flow when making even minor movements or no movements at all. 8-10 pads a day. To be able to have some rubric to be able to talk with another person would be helpful. If there is not an accepted standard, please criticize the above. If it is deemed not helpful, not problem. It works for me as a measure of my progress. Cheers, Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 30, 2010 Report Share Posted June 30, 2010 Rick:Great idea. I would assume that urologists would have a formal scale, but come to think of it, my urologist said incontinence was defined as 2 or more pads a day. On the other hand, my PT said she defined incontinence is any unwanted and uncontrolled leakage. If they, urologists, don't have a formal scale, shame on them as a profession! I am almost 2 years out and still at your level 2. Those of us who suffer from incontinence and/or impotence know the difficulties of post prostate cancer therapy. We are reminded daily.If anyone knows of a formal scale to measure incontinence or impotence, please enlighten us.Subject: Incontinence scaleTo: ProstateCancerSupport Date: Tuesday, June 29, 2010, 12:13 PM Is there a standard scale to measure incontinence? I read of men in this list who are having problems long after others are OK. Can we measure incontinence by number of pads per day (but here we have to measure tolerance for volume in the pad), or do we measure by noting how often we have leakage. Is one or two squirts a day when lifting something incontinence or just a nuisance? When does incontinence turn into just a bother? It would be helpful if we had a standard scale saying that I am at Level 3. It would then be helpful and encouraging to note that some man was at Level 5 a month ago, but now is at Level 4, etc. For discussion purposes, I put forward the follow based on personal experience and for discussion purposes only. Levels apply only to day time activity. Level 0: No leakage, no more than once a month. Level 1: Leakage rarely, difficult to decide to go with or without a pad as determined by type of activity planned. Level 2: One pad a day, more only if doing very vigorous activity like lots of lifting, walking behind a lawn mower. Level 3: No flow when rising from a chair and gentle walking, but extended exercises would require a pad. 2-3 pads a day. Level 4: Flow when rising from a chair, sitting down, bending at the waist, lifting anything heavier than a few pounds. 5-7 pads a day. Level 5: Significant flow when making even minor movements or no movements at all. 8-10 pads a day. To be able to have some rubric to be able to talk with another person would be helpful. If there is not an accepted standard, please criticize the above. If it is deemed not helpful, not problem. It works for me as a measure of my progress. Cheers, Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 Must I always be the " different one " ? I've been having nightime incontinence- about once a week. Shall I " blame " the prostate (IMRT) or look for something else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 Did you have surgery or other treatment, and how long ago? Did you already achieve continence and now you're having new problems, or is this some sort of plateau? According to all I have read and my 2 urologists, generally all the improvement you're going to have is achieved by about 18 months out from surgery and you can't really assess what your permanent status will be before then. There are some other things to check on. Have you recently increased your consumption of caffeine or alcohol? Have you gained a lot of weight? Are you taking more fluids in the late part of the evening? Are you taking any new medications, such as antihistamines or other meds? Must I always be the " different one " ? I've been having nightime incontinence- about once a week. Shall I " blame " the prostate (IMRT) or look for something else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.