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.

 

[unease]

I have urinary incontinence, originally urge and after prostatectomy also stress. I had very bad pelvic pains which I have learned is pudendal neuralgia. For a while I could not sit at all and I continue to have pains in the rectal and penal area. Have had nerve block which helped for a while but have learned to avoid doing certain things and do not get stressed to keep the pain at tolerable levels. Recently I was on a catheter for four months to allow sleep and it helped with the incontinence. The nerve started to be aggravated by the catheter, I had one uti, and the upkeep was taking a lot of time. I was having many bladder spasms occurring and also could not go into the lake with my grandchildren and I got blood clots in the urine when I went on longer walks.
I went back to diapers 3weeks ago. I have been sleeping through the night now. The diapers are so much easier to upkeep, do not have fear of uti, and can walk without causing abrasion to bladder. When I was using diapers before the catheter I did not realize how good they were. I just need to accept them and not worry about what others think. They are minimal maintenance, keep me dry and not worrying about wetting. The limitations are minimal. Now just if I can keep the pudendal nerve pain at the level it is now. I feel I have come a long way from where I was and need to be happy with what I accomplished. This lowers my anxiety and keeps me away from becoming depressed. There are too many good things in life (grandchildren).
Wishing ever happiness and happy holidays.

 

[JoeAK]

Absolutely absorbent products are a huge help.
I’ve been able to get by with a simple pull-up or disposable diaper during the day. However, for nighttime, I use either a high absorbency disposable product, like the Betterdry Crinklz (pic 3)
Or even a cloth diaper. (Pic 1 & 2)

I’ve been trying out cloth diapers with plastic pants at bedtime at least 2 or 3 nights a week as a money saver over the last year.
The protection absorbency level is very high. The comfort level is very good as well. It is a huge money saver.
My wife actually sews many of the cloth diapers for me.


I have a neurogenic bladder as well as BPH, and absorbent product is a must.
Even though I was a bedwetter as a youth, I experienced a serious back injury and received a BPH diagnosis in my 40’s which seemed to bring my nighttime wetting back.
Daytimes have there challenges as well.
Wearing protection brought quite a bit of my freedoms back and allowed me to stay active as a hiker, biker, camper, hunter, fisherman. Especially true during winter outdoor activities.
No hassle protection, and nobody knows when I’m wearing a diaper, unless I let them know or they’re aware of my condition.

Yes, wear absorbent products and stay protected, active and enjoy your freedoms.

 

[JoeAK]

Absolutely absorbent products are a huge help.
I’ve been able to get by with a simple pull-up or disposable diaper during the day. However, for nighttime I use either a high absorbency disposable product, like the Betterdry Crinklz (pic 3)
Or even a cloth diaper.
I’ve been trying out cloth diapers at bedtime at least

 

[JoeAK]

Making homemade cloth diapers

 

[MichaelDahlke]

There are many types of voiding dysfunction and there are treatment and compensation options for each.

For OAB, it starts with classic muscarinic receptor antagonists like Trospium, through the newer beta-3 agonists like Mirabegron, and goes all the way to injecting Botox into the bladder wall.

So if you ask, “Do absorbent products help you?” I would say it depends on what you are expecting. Does it help keep your clothes clean? Yes. Does it help fix the problem? No.

In the case of OAB, there are many treatment otions available - so I would go for those options first, because usually no one (except some fetishists) likes to wear protective pants. However, there are actually some medical conditions where compensation is the only option. Here, absorbent products can be an alternative.

 

[rothpirate]

Absolutely absorbent products are a huge help.
I’ve been able to get by with a simple pull-up or disposable diaper during the day. However, for nighttime I use either a high absorbency disposable product, like the Betterdry Crinklz (pic 3)
Or even a cloth diaper.
I’ve been trying out cloth diapers at bedtime at least

Ecoables 2.0 diaper covers would work perfectly over those, are those pre-flats?

 

[JoeAK]

Ecoables 2.0 diaper covers would work perfectly over those, are those pre-flats?

Hi Rothpirate,
I guess that would be considered a preflat and semi contoured cut.
My wife makes them from 100% cotton birdseye diaper cloth purchased at Joanne fabric store.
2 layers of two different colors fabrics making for a 4 layer diaper. The contour cut is simple to make for an easy trifold, pin on fit.
The two different colors just adds an option to what side you want facing out.
She also makes a matching rectangular booster pad to go inside that adds an additional 2 to 4 layers of absorption. They work fantastic and are incredibly comfortable.
I use Hiaan brand plastic diaper cover pant available from Amazon. I found these to be very affordable, but more importantly Hiaan is the softest vinyl, best elastics, longest lasting wear plastic pants available.

The green diaper pictured is essentially the same cut and fit, however it is made with 100% cotton tee shirt fabric. It is thinner and stretchier.
the Hiaan plastic pants pictured are solid color blue over a gauze fabric diaper. Wanted to show their transparency. The other color offered is smoke colored. They’re all transparent. Uncertain of the spelling on Hiaan.
I actually do have some Ecoble diapers including 2.0 diaper cover.
I’ll have to give it a try over the homemade diapers. I haven’t tried that yet.

Best,
Joe

 

[rothpirate]

It’s great to have a wife that can sew. My wife has sewn quite a few things for me, no diapers, since those are easy to find. She made so snap crotch rib knit tanks (wife beaters) to help cover up, and some larger pajamas since cloth diapers don’t really fit with off the shelf pj pants. I only use the pull on covers with the fitted cloth diapers from Ecoables any more. It’s kind of like a pull up in terms of discretion, and you can change standing up without taking off pants and shoes. Otherwise the 2.0 cover and pockets work great when bulk is not an issue. I’ve also switched to flats because prefolds take too long to dry and don’t always get really clean. They are also so versatile for stuffing pockets or layering to customize absorbency. I hope someone starts to sell pre flats or stretchy flats. There seems to be increased interest from cloth diaper companies to address this market, as their core market gets more crowded. Any way thanks for sharing. Snappis work great with the 2.0 btw.

 

[JoeAK]

There are many types of voiding dysfunction and there are treatment and compensation options for each.

For OAB, it starts with classic muscarinic receptor antagonists like Trospium, through the newer beta-3 agonists like Mirabegron, and goes all the way to injecting Botox into the bladder wall.

So if you ask, “Do absorbent products help you?” I would say it depends on what you are expecting. Does it help keep your clothes clean? Yes. Does it help fix the problem? No.

In the case of OAB, there are many treatment otions available - so I would go for those options first, because usually no one (except some fetishists) likes to wear protective pants. However, there are actually some medical conditions where compensation is the only option. Here, absorbent products can be an alternative.

MD,
Thanks for commenting.
Regarding your reply.
True that many people seek treatments, surgeries, and pharmaceuticals to treat UI and fecal IC in lieu of pads and diapers, or use of products in conjunction with protective products. That’s fine.

I can imagine that many individuals feel that this helps them physically and mentally.
And I think that depending on the circumstances, it’s a good idea.
Explore the options best for you.
Mentally and economically.

I use Calis and Flowmax pharmaceuticals to treat my BPH. It works for me, and I need them to prevent prostate infections.
The Flomax and its generics are designed to literally empty the bladder to avoid urin retention. It can, and does add to nighttime wetting.

For my spinal injury and cause of my Neurogenic bladder L3,L4, L5 and S1, includes the nerves that control the bladder muscle (L3 & L4) .
I sometimes need to take a pain blocker and a muscle relaxer.
These seem to make me wet more often, especially at night.
I rarely take them, only when necessary because I’ve over exerted myself.
I do regularly receive physical manipulations and therapy for that condition.
I personally don’t like to take medications anymore than absolutely necessary.
My choice for better health.

I don’t allow my UI to make me feel less normal than anyone else.

I’m well beyond any stigmas, I’m doing great, enjoying life, staying physical and as healthy as possible, as we all should.

The pharmaceutical companies can help as well as poison.
So yes, as you stated, protective absorbent products can be an alternative, however, I wouldn’t consider many surgeries and drug treatments as better. It’s only an alternative.

Stay healthy and strong,
J

 

[JoeAK]