Anyone here a wheelchair user?

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I've been a C6 Quadriplegic since a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) in 1995, I was wondering if anyone else in this forum is a wheelchair user due to paralysis (or any reason really). I am a mentor and would like to know your solutions for you UI and staying dry to avoid skin irritation and breakdown. I don't leak, so it would be great to hear from others who do and are able to share. Thanks!
 
Yes, and No, I have one, as we use it at times for appointments and other events. Its safer for me then a wheeled walker.
I use a combination for health reasons of Straight cathing 6 times per day, or a Foley catheter ( urologist told me to give your bladder time too decompress.But for me it lessons my pain also. But for events, or just outings, I guess I average 2 weeks per month now with a Foley) I wear protection day and night and also take Oxybutynin 15mg daily. I also have Valium 5 mg compounded rectal suppository for testicle and bladder spasms pain. My bladder as weak as it is,is very unruly.
I was averaging 3-4 UTI's per year, then they changed me to the Coloplast male portable catheter, I did not have any from then on for over 2 years, now Medicare said they will no longer support that particular catheter, as they said they have no records of my UTIs (Even thou my urology PA gave them the info on them. So back to the straight catheter for now :( she told me will work to get you back to them)
 
This might be hard to describe. My biggest issue was urinary, not bowel while in the chair. Morning enemas mostly eliminated surprise accidents and while sitting, it was easier to not have a bowel movement. My issue was urine that spread to the butt or bottom of the diaper. This would be in contact with my skin and cause problems. Besides a good barrier cream and lots of baby powder, one solution was best for me. I only use plastic backed diapers, so that is what I recommend. I take a fresh diaper and cut it in half from front to back.(hamburger style) I could use both halves for this. I cut the wings off. I use it like a diaper double but upside-down in the back. Basically, lay out the whole diaper to be worn, take a half that you made and lay it over the butt or back region of the diaper but have iT with the absorbant side against the whole diaper absorbant side. Use baby powder to avoid sweat and sticking. Not cream. Pit diaper on as normal. The urine gets absorbed in front (for men) and travels to the rear as before. But now it is trapped between two diapers with the plastic side protecting the skin. I will create one with 2 cheap diapers and take a pic and post it in my photo album on here. Please let me know if I need to explain mire. This truly was a life changer for me. Nobody could help beyond damage control after a rash started. So I came up with this. I dunno if a modified version could be made for females. I imagine so.
 
I tried several times but the pics would not load. Sorry. I hope it was clear enough descriptions. I am sorry about all the typos. My hand shakes since the car wreck 2 years ago. Also, I meant to cut it in half, SEPARATING the front from back half. Not cut from front to back. So you have a front half and back half. It also acts as a sorta diaper double as some urine gets absorbed by the half that is against the regular diaper.
 
@Steven1980 sounds like a good solution. I will keep that in my memory bank to share with others having trouble. I had difficulty uploading more pictures into my profile and in the gallery, but then i was able to upload a picture into a post which does not go into your profile unless you choose for it too. You clicked on "upload image" next to the emoticons thing?
 
I’m a part time wheelchair user. I’m an amputee (right below the knee) so on days I can’t wear my leg I use my trusty green machine. I just had a suprapubic catheter placed last Thursday so I’m fairly new to the world of SPC but I only wear pull-ups now and that’s to deal with any bleeding or discharge I have. I’ve had my ups and downs but I don’t regret doing it.
 
Hi @jsutej, It's good to see that you are coming right along after Thursday. It's going to be some adjusting and getting used to a new normal for a bit but I'm glad you're at the point where you don't regret doing it! Here's to your continuing recovery! :D
 
@justej hope it works out well for you. i considered it when i was first injured but then changed my mind and stuck with cathing. i know plenty of people with the SPC and they are all glad they got it done. I'm sure you'll be happy with it.
 
Hi Dean, I just noticed Steven1980's post just above and I echo his sentiments that mentoring quads and paras is a wonderful thing to do. I admire that tremendously and I salute you! As volunteer myself the best jobs are never those that involve making money. And doing what you do, you must feel extremely rewarded! :)
 
@billliveshere thank you for your kind words. You’re 100% correct. When I was really young I worked hard and had a lot of money before I turned 16 years old. Everybody thought that I was going to be the rich guy, but that rich kid in me spent a little too much on toys and then got injured at 21. After my spinal cord injury I succeeded in a few business ventures but never got to the financial status I always hoped to. But along the way I always helped other people adapt to their new lives after spinal cord injury and I always found that more rewarding than anything I did for money. In the past I have helped many guys learn how to catheterize correctly so they weren’t giving themselves constant UTIs and therefore could live a healthier life. I’ve also helped them with reversing mild ED naturally and you can imagine the joy that brings them which in turn makes me feel great knowing that they will thrive in their relationships.
 
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