Embarrassing medical exam

[Inco24seven]

Hi is it just me but I find my health care examinations totally nerve - racking ? Yesterday I had a trip to the physiotherapist, this was in connection about arthritis in my knees. However whilst I was in the examination room they asked if they could look at my hips at the same time and would I mind taking my shorts down ? This i did very reluctantly because I was wearing a Tena slip diaper . I did explain this to the physiotherapist but I was told it would only take a few minutes and they know all about my incontinence problems which are all on my health records.
So I complied with the request and laid on the couch for the examination , all the time feeling very embarrassed . It only took five minutes or less but I was totally devastated about the experience . Whilst i was laying down having my knees and hip examined I wet myself , unfortunately that's what happens when you're incontinent. My Tena diaper was noticeably very wet . I feel sure the physiotherapist would have noticed this, in fact it would have been very difficult to miss I still find my incontinence problems a total embarrassment after more than six years. I still find talking to Drs about my bladder problem very difficult.
Sorry about my rant ,I just get so down from time to time.

 

[justej]

Honestly it took me getting a suprapubic catheter to not be embarrassed anymore. You can't hide a tube/bag! Bowel issues are something I still struggle with, but luckily it doesn't happen too often when I am out. New providers are often nerve wracking, you definitely aren't alone!

 

[Inco24seven]

Hi . I hate to make a fuss and normally I don't . But I was so embarrassed after my physio appointment last week it really upset me. When I was laying on the examination coach and I had a wetting accident that really took the biscuit . But I see by your post you also suffer with bowel problems . That must make just wetting yourself seem like a breeze, I really am sorry to hear that . I would be mortified if I had bowel problems along with just my urinary incontinence . I wish you all the very best

 

[justej]

I'm at the stage where it is what it is. But I know what its like to have a medical professional see you in that vulnerable state, especially when an accident occurs! At first when the bowel issues started it was really hard. I have been dealing with urinary incontinence since 2016 when I fell down an escalator. It was pretty inevitable that bowel incontinence was going to happen at some point, but boy was I in denial! I use a wheelchair full time and its weird that almost makes it OK for a lot of people. I have home health aides that are with me daily for 10 hours a day and I have been VERY lucky that when the bowel issues started they have been really supportive an non judgemental. One of them has been with me a little over 2 years now and she has been an absolute blessing.

I have said many times I wish I could go back to dealing with just urinary incontinence and just having to manage with diapers. But life is almost never how we planned and it just ended up that I have a suprapubic catheter and bowel incontinence now! I could wish all day that things were different but it wont change anything, ya know? My motto for awhile is adapt and overcome. But it took awhile to get there.

Sorry for the long post!

 

[Inco24seven]

I'm at the stage where it is what it is. But I know what its like to have a medical professional see you in that vulnerable state, especially when an accident occurs! At first when the bowel issues started it was really hard. I have been dealing with urinary incontinence since 2016 when I fell down an escalator. It was pretty inevitable that bowel incontinence was going to happen at some point, but boy was I in denial! I use a wheelchair full time and its weird that almost makes it OK for a lot of people. I have home health aides that are with me daily for 10 hours a day and I have been VERY lucky that when the bowel issues started they have been really supportive an non judgemental. One of them has been with me a little over 2 years now and she has been an absolute blessing.

I have said many times I wish I could go back to dealing with just urinary incontinence and just having to manage with diapers. But life is almost never how we planned and it just ended up that I have a suprapubic catheter and bowel incontinence now! I could wish all day that things were different but it wont change anything, ya know? My motto for awhile is adapt and overcome. But it took awhile to get there.

Sorry for the long post!

Oh I do sympathize with you I really do. My only challenge is that I need diapers 24/7 , embarrassing ? yes for me very embarrassing but when it comes to having bowel accidents that is on another level. I will do my very best to cope with just having urinary incontinence . All the best from the UK

 

[james939]

That sounds really uncomfortable. Feeling exposed like that would shake anyone, especially when it’s something so personal.

 

[Callahantr89]

You’re definitely not alone, and I’m really glad you shared this. Medical exams can be incredibly nerve-racking, especially when they touch on something as personal and vulnerable as incontinence. Even when clinicians are professional and “used to it,” that doesn’t make the emotional side any easier for us as patients.

I can really relate. I’ve had many medical exams where I was wearing an adult diaper, and every single time my anxiety spikes, even when the doctors already know my history. I remember one exam in particular where I had to undress more than I expected, and I was so aware of the diaper the entire time. Like you, I worried about it being noticed, about losing control, about that feeling of exposure. And yes, there have been times during exams when I’ve wet myself too. It’s humiliating on a very human level, even though it’s a medical reality.

What I’ve learned (slowly, and not without tears) is that our embarrassment doesn’t mean we’ve done anything wrong. Incontinence is a health condition, not a personal failure. Still, that doesn’t magically erase the shame or the emotional weight, especially when you’re already in pain or feeling vulnerable on an exam table.

Please don’t apologize for your rant. What you’re describing is real, and it’s heavy. Talking about bladder issues with doctors is still hard for me as well, even after years of dealing with it. Some days are just tougher than others, and that’s okay. You’re showing a lot of courage just by showing up to your appointments and taking care of your health, even when it feels devastating. Be gentle with yourself, you deserve that kindness.

 

[Stonehouse]

I realised that with incontinence comes a lack of dignity so many medical people have seen me in diapers and in various states of undress in the beginning I felt so embarrassed and self conscious today just don’t care anymore all part of it sadly.

 

[Inco24seven]

I still get really embarrassed about the whole incontinence thing , that's after more than six years. Not sure why I get like this all the medical staff that I have encountered have been very supportive about my problem. I just find it all a real downer.