Telling my doctor I use briefs?

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Hi there,

I am having my annual physical in about a month and I am nervous to tell my MD that I began wearing briefs. Before that, I was depressed and I wouldn’t go out often. I also feel like my life is a lot easier because my disability, it takes longer to get to the bathroom and sometimes I need to have an accident to function better outside the house and be more productive.

How should I explain this to my doctor and neurologist? I feel like they wouldn’t know how to react and I worry they won’t understand what I’m trying to say because they are so used to dealing with incontinence caused by bodily impairment rather than external factors causing incontinence.

I feel like my quality of life has improved since I started wearing products but I’m not sure how to fit that into the traditional medical model to make my needs more palatable to health professionals.

 

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rdouga,
I apologize up front for some tough love that you clearly need. You have a medical condition; get over it. Nobody will think less of you because you have a malady that many of us have, particularly professionals. Tell them and tell the world you have incontinence, if the need arises. Trust me, once you get over the psychological issue of admitting you're not perfect, the stress will disappear and you will thereafter enjoy getting out of bed once again. I confess that I once shared your discomfort in discussing my own incontinence and so am an expert in such things, so to speak. My family knows, my neighbors know, and certainly my doctors know. And, not anyone to this day has laughed at me...(that I'm aware of) Relax, tell all about your sore feet, just before your challenge with incontinence. Best wishes, Fylee

 

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I am 74 and post radical about 4 months. Several people either knew it, or had been through it themselves, and most of them were supporting me with life saving advice. My control gets better, and slips now and then, but I now know I was quietly surrounded by people that were wearing some sort of incontinence protection. I discussed it with my regular doctor again just yesterday. I have a classmate that is facing the decision to have surgery or not. He hasn't got it yet that the rest of us don't care what he is wearing as long as he is still around. I may never get complete control back, but I am not going to let that stop me. I will adapt! So should you!

 

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Hi rdouga1,

To be brutally honest you are being way too thoughtful. If your doctors make you feel bad because you are wearing protection you need new doctors.

Not sure your medical condition and reason why you are having issues however I do know that doctors take a oath to provide patient care in all forms. Pretty crappy doctors if they result in you having more issues wouldn’t you agree?

Like fynlee the major issue is probably your own psychological issues at play and the stigma we have in society that diapers are only for kids. Complete bs and like many have said it’s like people with vision problems wear glasses. People with bladder issues wear protection.

Myself I have relapse and remitting MS and by the time it was caught I had severe nerve damage but thankfully I have recovered most of my issues however urinary still seems to be an issue and my neurologist has said that perhaps there was too much damage on those nerves in my spinal cord that they are slowly dying as my mri s don’t show any new and active lesions thankfully. However at 39 years old I am wearing protection 24hrs a day. And I still remember back like 4 years ago when I decided just to wear how freeing it was for me and it was like I got my life back.

Sorry for the long post but you should never worry about how to say things to a doctor as you should be able to say anything and be comfortable it otherwise you will not say things which is just hindering yourself from proper care. There is only one expert on your body and it’s you. And it’s your body you can do with it whatever you want.

 

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Hey guys thank you for the responses! I hope this clarifies things but I’m 24 and I have a condition called cerebral palsy. I use it wheelchair to go long distances but I walk independently at home. The reason I’ve decided to use diapers is that it sometimes takes me awhile to go to the bathroom.

In other words, I have a fully functioning bladder but when I’m in a meeting or on a Zoom call, it have to choose between spending ten minutes in the bathroom or just using a diaper and continuing the activity I’m engaged in. I don’t really know how to explain this to my doctor(s) without sounding like I’m not trying

 

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rdouga1.... Just Google "cerebral palsy incontinence". There is plenty of info showing links between cerebral palsy and incontinence. I would think that it would be enough to tell your doctor that you are wearing diapers to manage bladder issues caused by your cerebral palsy.

 

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Nothing wrong with using the tools that are available... Briefs, Pullup, Pads or any other incontinence products that you utilize to lead a productive and fulfilling life journey. Find a new Doctor if they have an issue with incontinence products.

 

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Theres a term called “functional incontinence” meaning the plumbing works but mobility issues make it hard to make it in time. I highly recommend you look up the term and make sure it matches my description and if so think of it in those terms.ive found that Keeping it clinical and knowing the terms they use will an make easier time of it.

 

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Functional incontinence is as real as any other type of incontinence, and how you choose to manage it is completely your choice. If your doctor claims that you're not trying, simply explain that you are trying, but sometimes you simply don't make it.

It's hard to realize when you're first dealing with incontinence, but you don't have to justify your choices or your management strategies to anyone. Do whatever enhances your quality of life, and get out there and enjoy things as much as you possibly can!

 

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I just set up with a new PCP yesterday after having to fire my previous PCP after 10years and one of the things I discussed with him is the supplier I receive my diapers from needs to up my monthly supply due to the fact in the last 6 months 4 of those months I had run out 2 to 3 days before my shipment has arrived now this month being a shorter month I actually will have a small surplus to help next month so the PA (Physicians Assistant) said he wasn't aware of this he dug further in my records and found the letter from my PCP and he said he would take care of it just remember they see people with different needs all the time unless they are a brand new care person I am sure you're not the first adult that they have seen that needs diapers just be open and honest with them

 

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First, as others have said, you are worrying too much. Yea, some doctors will question why you are using diapers but more out of a need to know to make sure it is not a medical issue. When I first started going to the doctor for what is going on with me they had a lot of questions about what was going on and that was after going to the ER several times. Just be open with them. They have seen it all.

 

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I don’t know if this makes sense but there seems to be a “last resort” attitude towards wearing incontinence products in the medical field. That is the reason why I’m kind of anxious about it. However, because it’s functional incontinence, there’s really no surgery they can do. I don’t know if this makes sense.

 

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It all makes sense rdouga1. I think sometimes medical professionals feel like they need to help us more than by just saying use diapers etc to manage our issues. And like you said a surgery is not going to fix your issues / functional incontinence so they maybe feel like they are not doing their job in a way. I hope that makes some sense. But honestly your doctors need to be looking after your needs and if wearing protection is a huge stress reliever for you so be it. There’s nothing wrong in that.

But also don’t overthink things. You will find out we are all our own worse enemies. Be kind to oneself and forgive oneself.

None of us are perfect as we are all human. Lol

Cheers

Jason.