Swimming

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This is my first swimming season with my incontinence and I would like to hear advice from the members of this forum. I know swimming is avoidable for many, but I have grandchildren nearby and the major reason they visit in the summer is to go boating on our lake. It is hot where I live and I just can't imagine not jumping in when we take a break from their tubing. Common sense says I don't want to be wearing pads in the water, but what do I do prior to jumping in? And after getting out? I have a clamp but am reluctant to wear it that long. I hate re-inventing the wheel so I'd like to hear from those of you that have figured out a solution to this dilemma.

 

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I wear a clamp. This is my first season with wearing the clamp and getting in a swimming pool. It works great and I feel very confident when I get in the water that there won’t be any leakage. My urologist said he was fine with me wearing a clamp so long as I remember to go to the bathroom every so often to avoid any issues. I told him I go at least every two hours, usually more often, and he thought that was ok. Good luck, and enjoy every minute with your grandchildren.

 

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I use swimmates. Not the regular absorbing material but enough to cover for the walks to and from the pool. A light press as I exit gets excess water out. Chlorine takes care of everything else. I'm just UI

 

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As one accustomed to being on the water, I truly don’t worry about incontinence while on the lake. I’ll wear a pad going to and from the lake, but ditch it at the boat ramp. My swim suit is constantly wet during the day from being in and out of the water, so going in the lake is not a worry if the urge happens. I will sit on a towel in the boat just in case and I don’t worry about it while riding skis. I haven’t had an instance where I wasn’t in the water when an urge hit or couldn’t make it to the water to pee. I do keep track of when I’ve gone so I don’t end up at dinner in the marina with a potentially full bladder. Usually by day’s end I’m on the dehydrated side, and I’ll rehydrate on the way home.

It’s one of my only carefree times of the year regarding incontinence. Don’t have to wear anything and live life like I did before diabetes produced urge incontinence.

I encourage you to enjoy the summer and make the most of time spent with family!

 

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@all
These are all very good comments. The two-hour limit on the use of a penile clamp is a good approximation. Words of caution: make sure your bladder is empty before applying the clamp. Before you make any kind of public appearance, wearing a clamp, begin with an empty bladder.

Also, practice setting the clamp to match your anatomy. (One notch? two notches? three notches?)

Keep in mind also, that the organ in question here fluctuates in size from flaccid to almost full erection. (A MIND OF ITS OWN!) If you set the clamp for a flaccid-size situation and the size begins to increase while the clamp is in place...and you are in public...it may cause a good deal of pain and you will want to disappear and increase the size of the clamp. BEEN THERE! DONE THAT!

It can hurt with a capital HURT! Also, when you loosen the clamp setting for relief, there may have collected enough urine in the bladder to cause a mighty SURGE when the clamp is loosened.

SOLUTION: Before you install a clamp, plot your avenue of escape so you can make an emergency exit that will create the least amount of attention or disturbance. Don't try to plan an escape after the storm has descended upon you. I promise...you will regret it if you do. Go ahead and use a clamp, the surest safety device there is. But, DO IT WELL!

 

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Get an AUS !
I'm at a SCUBA resort right now. Have a dive in 20 min

 

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I am very lucky that 8 months post RP I am now using one light pad per day. I have a pool and enjoy it but have noticed slight leakage on exertion or walking up pool steps. Just make sure chlorine levels are sufficient and don’t worry much.

 

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Another vote for the penile clamp. I have used the clamp frequently in my spa. In my experience, not quite as complicated as DanCarr's (no relations} description. It will be obvious when you will need to release it to pee, depending on whether you are drinking a beverage and volume. But as stated earlier, once every hour to hour and a half. Mr Carr is correct ... when you release it you will get a spurt of urine so be prepared and aim!

 

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@all
These are all very good comments. The two-hour limit on the use of a penile clamp is a good approximation. Words of caution: make sure your bladder is empty before applying the clamp. Before you make any kind of public appearance, wearing a clamp, begin with an empty bladder.

Also, practice setting the clamp to match your anatomy. (One notch? two notches? three notches?)

Keep in mind also, that the organ in question here fluctuates in size from flaccid to almost full erection. (A MIND OF ITS OWN!) If you set the clamp for a flaccid-size situation and the size begins to increase while the clamp is in place...and you are in public...it may cause a good deal of pain and you will want to disappear and increase the size of the clamp. BEEN THERE! DONE THAT!

It can hurt with a capital HURT! Also, when you loosen the clamp setting for relief, there may have collected enough urine in the bladder to cause a mighty SURGE when the clamp is loosened.

SOLUTION: Before you install a clamp, plot your avenue of escape so you can make an emergency exit that will create the least amount of attention or disturbance. Don't try to plan an escape after the storm has descended upon you. I promise...you will regret it if you do. Go ahead and use a clamp, the surest safety device there is. But, DO IT WELL!