‘My incontinence was so bad I wet myself on my wedding day’

A dry cleaning business owner has shared her struggle with severe incontinence that led to wetting herself on her wedding day and wearing nappies. Sarah Stevenson, who resides in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, has dealt with bladder issues since childhood, wetting the bed nightly and enduring multiple accidents daily. The 34-year-old described how she couldn’t sneeze, jump, or run without leaking urine, with activities like trampolining being entirely off-limits.

Sarah revealed reaching a breaking point after wetting the bed on the morning of her wedding to husband Matthew Stevenson. Despite trying various treatments, including medication, her symptoms persisted until she opted for Botox injections into her overactive bladder. These injections significantly improved her condition, allowing her to regain control over her bladder and lead a more normal life.

Reflecting on her lifelong battle with incontinence, Sarah expressed the challenges she faced, including ridicule from others who expected her to outgrow the condition. She recounted instances of losing control of her bladder in public, navigating sleepovers and school trips, and resorting to wearing adult nappies for extended periods. Sarah highlighted the emotional toll her condition took, including the humiliation and inconvenience she endured.

Following the Botox treatment, Sarah shared her relief at feeling like a ‘normal person’ and no longer constantly worrying about accidents. She emphasised the importance of seeking help and not feeling embarrassed about seeking treatment for incontinence, reassuring others that there is support available. Sarah encouraged others facing similar struggles to stay resilient and hopeful for improvement, urging them to acknowledge and address their needs for a better quality of life.

Sarah’s journey from enduring chronic incontinence to finding relief through Botox injections serves as a testament to the transformative impact of seeking appropriate medical intervention. Her story sheds light on the emotional and physical challenges faced by individuals dealing with bladder control issues and underscores the importance of understanding, compassion, and accessible treatments for such conditions.