Last September I was hospitalized for 5 days with lateral ruptures of L4 and L5. I am in chronic pain and have noticed occasional bouts of incontinence. Lateral ruptures or herniations of the intervertebral disc generally cause low back pain and radiating pain through the legs, but not commonly incontinence. While incontinence may have many causes, given your history of degenerative lumbar discs, concern arises that that you may have herniated those discs or others more centrally within the spinal canal, thereby compromising the sacral nerve roots which control bladder function. This is called a cauda equina syndrome and has to be treated emergently.
Early diagnosis is key.
Screening should begin in the school grades, particularly for females. Non-operative options include therapeutic exercise, bracing and postural awareness. But it only happens when I wake up in the morning. I used to be able to sleep long hours on the weekends but find I can't do that anymore, due to waking up in pain. I used to highjump in high school and college.