Do Absorbent products help you?

[sj2016]

I hate the reason in life that I'm always stopping what I am doing is because I have to go to the bathroom. And when sitting in traffic or at work, I'll worry I'll have an accident, fidgeting around trying to hold it in.

So I talked to my doctor about transitioning to wearing protection/pull-ups, and it helped me feel better.

How do you know when it's the right time to use them for relief? What if the restroom is close by but it just can't wait or you don't have permission to go? Would appreciate hearing from your experiences.

 

[hbic60]

What you are describing could be the symptoms of OAB /urge incontinence (incontinence in case it comes to unvoluntary loss of urine). When starting to wear (and to use) protection is your own decision. Some people try to avoid protection as much as possible, trying to use the bathroom even without urge, staying near bathrooms or planning activities around availability of them…

I have a combined dribble and urge incontinence, for the dribbling part I have to wear thin protection anyway; the decision for myself to switch to much more absorbent products which also can handle more than just some spurts but full bladder contents (and more) was easy for me. I wanted to continue my active and social life in the same way I did before becoming IC and not to arrange my life around my IC. Yes, wearing (and using) diapers for managing my IC enhanced my quality of life dramatically and I‘m happy that I made this step. My doc supported me with the decision instead of playing with meds (with not so nice side effects) in order to reduce the urges simply to use protection ( without side effects) as long as I‘m OK with it.

 

[Inco24seven]

I hate the reason in life that I'm always stopping what I am doing is because I have to go to the bathroom. And when sitting in traffic or at work, I'll worry I'll have an accident, fidgeting around trying to hold it in.

So I talked to my doctor about transitioning to wearing protection/pull-ups, and it helped me feel better.

How do you know when it's the right time to use them for relief? What if the restroom is close by but it just can't wait or you don't have permission to go? Would appreciate hearing from your experiences.

Hi I find the whole business about wearing waterproof protection for my bladder problem very embarrassing , but it's a lot less embarrassing than wetting yourself in public . I am totally urinary incontinent and without the use of diapers I wouldn't be able to go out in public . However I use Tena Slips, free from the NHS here in the UK and because of this I can live an almost normal life. But I still get extremely nervous telling anyone about my bladder control ( or lack of ) So with me it's a case of not going out in public or wearing a diaper and a pair of waterproof pants. So because I like and need to go out it's a diaper and plastic pants all the way for me.
However in a few weeks time I will need to spend three or four nights in hospital due to a non incontinence related operation. This is a mega scary prospect for me. You asked when the best time is to use protection even if the toilet is close by afraid that is just trial and error , but you don't want to be using protection and still struggle and maybe fail to make it to a bathroom. With me I don't get any sensation if I need to go for a pee I find that I've just wet myself. I hope you find all this of interest . All the best.

 

[ThatFLGuy]

My issues are huge. I would not have a life without diapers. I have zero bladder control and my bowels are like that of a toddler potty training on my best days.

No matter what, those that love me do not care what I am wearing. Doctors are use to it. People I hang out with don't really know enough for it to matter. If they found out it would not really change what I do or don't do.

Over all diapers are part of my life and make it so I can live am much as I am able to.

 

[ADFW61]

Hi I find the whole business about wearing waterproof protection for my bladder problem very embarrassing , but it's a lot less embarrassing than wetting yourself in public . I am totally urinary incontinent and without the use of diapers I wouldn't be able to go out in public . However I use Tena Slips, free from the NHS here in the UK and because of this I can live an almost normal life. But I still get extremely nervous telling anyone about my bladder control ( or lack of ) So with me it's a case of not going out in public or wearing a diaper and a pair of waterproof pants. So because I like and need to go out it's a diaper and plastic pants all the way for me.
However in a few weeks time I will need to spend three or four nights in hospital due to a non incontinence related operation. This is a mega scary prospect for me. You asked when the best time is to use protection even if the toilet is close by afraid that is just trial and error , but you don't want to be using protection and still struggle and maybe fail to make it to a bathroom. With me I don't get any sensation if I need to go for a pee I find that I've just wet myself. I hope you find all this of interest . All the best.

Hi there,
Like you I am in the UK and also have my Tena Slip Maxi Active Fit adult nappies supplied by the NHS. Again, like you, I have no feeling of needing to wee, or actually weeing, other than feeling my nappy get wet. My incontinence started after a spinal injury over three decades ago, initially just at night but then further complications led to me losing all sensation 24/7 and so I now wear nappies 24/7 to manage it. When it first started I felt very embarrassed and isolated and did not go out, stay away or form relationships but I eventually started to accept it and manage it better, supported by my local Continence Nurse specialist. I have had multiple hospital stays - four spinal operations, multiple other procedures and a hip replacement. The nurses have alway been excellent although I have been very lucky to have private medical insurance. I always supply my own pads/nappies. I get UTIs every time I am catheterised and so they know not to do so and keep me in nappies. If I can I will change myself but that has not always been possible and I have many times had to ask the nurses to change me; they have never made an issue of it. I did once have a very difficult 5-days in my local NHS general hospital. They were so understaffed and I was left in wet nappies for far too long, which caused nappy rash and sores. Hopefully your experience will be better and your procedure trouble free.

 

[L0l0zboy]

If I didn't use an absorbant product, I'd be confined to my home. Diapers allow me to lead an almost normal life.

 

[notarobot]

I hate the reason in life that I'm always stopping what I am doing is because I have to go to the bathroom. And when sitting in traffic or at work, I'll worry I'll have an accident, fidgeting around trying to hold it in.

So I talked to my doctor about transitioning to wearing protection/pull-ups, and it helped me feel better.

How do you know when it's the right time to use them for relief? What if the restroom is close by but it just can't wait or you don't have permission to go? Would appreciate hearing from your experiences.

Yes, absorbant products help me.
And because you are asking these questions it sounds like it is the right time to try them out.
Warning! There is a learning curve, everyone is different and it will take time and experimenting to find what works for you.

 

[hbic60]

Yes, absorbant products help me.
And because you are asking these questions it sounds like it is the right time to try them out.
Warning! There is a learning curve, everyone is different and it will take time and experimenting to find what works for you.

I fully agree! It took me several weeks until I found the right products for my level of IC and which fit perfect to my body shape. I learned very quickly that it’s much better to wear more absorbent products you can rely on and are then much more discrete than thinner ones which leak…
So, if you want to give absorbent incontinence supplies a try, first try out fit and absorbency in the save surrounding of your home where a leak accident is not really one. Be patient with yourself and first of all don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed for wearing protection; there are many , many more people with the same issue; you’re not alone and don’t hesitate to ask any question you might have!

 

[JD]

Absorbent products gave me the ability to get back to my life. Suddenly having full bladder incontinence in my 30s after an injury took a toll on my physical and mental health. While seeking treatment from doctors I tried to downplay my issues and hide from them. I was given the advice to fight the injury or illness don't fight the protection. At first the stigma of an otherwise healthy man needing protection took a heavy tool on my mental health. I thought I could get by with just a pad but was quickly proven wrong and then a pull-up but was still having leaks. It was after multiple embarrassing accidents, grocery store, gas station, my own kitchen that I realized I needed to stop fighting the protection and embrace the freedom it can give me.

I got my life back when I started wearing and embracing diapers. Multiple medical attempts failed to help me regain control so now I wear diapers 24/7 and live my life. I have found great success in North Shore MegaMax and Incontrol BeDry diapers. I buy a smaller size for the day and have found I can hide them under most of my normal clothes. I have no sensation when I need to go as it now just happens on its own. These diapers allow me to get through my day without worry or many changes. Overall I am mentally relaxed that I don't have to worry about accidents as the diapers I am wearing will do their job.

It you are struggling with incontinence you can do both, wear protection and work with a doctor to solve it. Don't fight the protection as that is what will let you live your life.