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So I'm 30 and have a neurogenic bladder. At least that's what my urologist believes I have. My symptoms started shortly after I injured my back in the military. My MRI showed spondylolisthesis and a bulging disc. The neurologist said the MRI findings didn't "clearly explain," but given the damage and the timing, that was the diagnosis they gave me. Anyway, when it first started, I had these constant abrupt sensations of needing to pee and would leak heavily. I would often empty my entire bladder. The VA provided me with the Abena M4 brief. I hated them as they it was impossible to conceal under my clothes and even though they are a heavy duty brief, I was going through 5 or 6 a day. Sometimes b/c they were at full capacity, sometimes out of comfort. They also restricted my mobility while exercising, weren't really meant to be refastened, and caused me to get a lot of diaper rashes. Eventually, I was recommended the NorthShore Mega Max and it has been great.
However, my urologist got me on a treatment plan, 15 mg of Oxybutynin and Tens Unit on each ankle once weekly, which I've been on for a couple of years now. Since then, my symptoms have greatly improved. But, to this day, I still wear the MegaMax day and night. While I do still need a heavier tabbed brief at night, I tried the pull-on briefs for the day time, but unfortunately, they are a joke. I tried several brands and sizes but they are not reliable. For one, I'm in between sizes. The mediums are too large and don't create a tight enough seal around the leg band. The smalls are too small and rip halfway on the bottom side after a few minutes of wearing, which also affected the seal. I kept having urine leak down my leg, yet my brief could be completely dry. I also have a larger penis and genitalia, so I need a wide crotch product so that the absorbent material can catch the urine.
Anyway, after trying several products, I just decided on the MegaMax day and night. I'm a grad student and just didnt have the time and energy to keep trying new products. I do have a cloth brief that works okay that I wear occasionally during he day, but it's certainly not perfect. The MegaMax is not too bothersome. Even given the fact that it is a bulkier brief, It's still hardly noticeable under my clothes, and I don't wear very baggy clothes, so that's really nice. I think it's b/c the padding is more consistent and doesn't bulge up in some areas. It's also refastenable, so I can use the toilet as needed, which is important for me given my improvement. I will say they can be kind of noisy to unstrap, but I can pee at the stall w/o even removing the straps when necessary, which is nice. They also keep my skin pretty dry even when the brief is wet, so I don't use as much antifungal cream anymore. And, they don't restrict my mobility as much.
The main thing I want to know is if anyone has a similar experience and a recommendation. One of the biggest ways my treatment has improved my quality of life is being able to leave the house for the entire day w/o needing to pack a change in my backpack, and even if I found a pull-up brief that actually worked, I definitely don't think I would make it through the day without needing to change. The MegaMax offers me that freedom. But at the same time, it just seems like overkill during the day.
Lastly, the VA provides my briefs, and they are overall a great product, so maybe I should just be thankful and let it go, but I would love to hear your thoughts and recommendations.
However, my urologist got me on a treatment plan, 15 mg of Oxybutynin and Tens Unit on each ankle once weekly, which I've been on for a couple of years now. Since then, my symptoms have greatly improved. But, to this day, I still wear the MegaMax day and night. While I do still need a heavier tabbed brief at night, I tried the pull-on briefs for the day time, but unfortunately, they are a joke. I tried several brands and sizes but they are not reliable. For one, I'm in between sizes. The mediums are too large and don't create a tight enough seal around the leg band. The smalls are too small and rip halfway on the bottom side after a few minutes of wearing, which also affected the seal. I kept having urine leak down my leg, yet my brief could be completely dry. I also have a larger penis and genitalia, so I need a wide crotch product so that the absorbent material can catch the urine.
Anyway, after trying several products, I just decided on the MegaMax day and night. I'm a grad student and just didnt have the time and energy to keep trying new products. I do have a cloth brief that works okay that I wear occasionally during he day, but it's certainly not perfect. The MegaMax is not too bothersome. Even given the fact that it is a bulkier brief, It's still hardly noticeable under my clothes, and I don't wear very baggy clothes, so that's really nice. I think it's b/c the padding is more consistent and doesn't bulge up in some areas. It's also refastenable, so I can use the toilet as needed, which is important for me given my improvement. I will say they can be kind of noisy to unstrap, but I can pee at the stall w/o even removing the straps when necessary, which is nice. They also keep my skin pretty dry even when the brief is wet, so I don't use as much antifungal cream anymore. And, they don't restrict my mobility as much.
The main thing I want to know is if anyone has a similar experience and a recommendation. One of the biggest ways my treatment has improved my quality of life is being able to leave the house for the entire day w/o needing to pack a change in my backpack, and even if I found a pull-up brief that actually worked, I definitely don't think I would make it through the day without needing to change. The MegaMax offers me that freedom. But at the same time, it just seems like overkill during the day.
Lastly, the VA provides my briefs, and they are overall a great product, so maybe I should just be thankful and let it go, but I would love to hear your thoughts and recommendations.
