"Would you like a Urinal?" No thanks.

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Hey NAFC,

I just woke up - and it got me thinking - as I have a reusable bed pad and disposables that I keep on hand. For the briefs that I wear at night - I can fold them in with my pajama bottoms and take them to the bathroom when my roommate is not around.

Continence is something that can be very embarassing and personal - so when dealing with it; I try to be as discreet as possible.

Tonight was one of those nights that I relied on a bed pad; but I typically wear a tranquility overnight brief. I do still have some attends - but am running low on my comfortable briefs - and really don't want to go back to wearing uncomfortable protection.

Anyway, it reminded me of the lack of awareness of others - when dealing with continence issues. I was offered a Urinal my first day at the home I am living - as I advised them to discreetly put my mail and medical supplies away in my closet area or dresser; and they obliged. However, in medical environments as many places are anti-continence products for medical need - a Urinal is offered.

However, for dignity purposes I just don't find that to be discreet or even applicable for someone with continence issues.

Maybe it's because I'm still a young buck - as I am still only in my 20s - but laying down with a Urinal while sleeping/Resting is only giving the urine an opportunity to escape and leak onto the bed as the urinal is positioned flat.

Same with noise - an empty urinal is more susceptible to others noticing you have a bladder condition as noise could be heard from relying on it. Which brings me back to my urologist conversation where they recommended continence products for not just peace of mind; but for my own dignity of not having to wake up or lay in a wet bed.

Has anybody else dealt with this in conversations with others? I know @Maymay941; you had your experience at the pet store - but this is a little different as it's others directing there advice towards your continence.

Just my morning thoughts.

Blessings In Christ,
Honeeecombs

 

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I have not been offered a urinal instead they insisted on a Foley Catheter while I was in a rehab center

 

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@Honeeecombs I’m glad they’ll let you use a computer or a phone to communicate with us. Do you think you’ll be in the home for a while? It sounds like they’re helping you learn some good habits. I’m glad you can talk about being there with us because we don’t judge you.

I’ve tried using a female urinal at night because when I go from laying to sitting to standing to walking to go pee a bunch of times every night, I often lose my pee by just those movements. I thought if a urinal worked, I might ruin fewer diapers and save money and mess. So I’ve tried all sorts of urinal arrangements. They all suck. For women, they just make leaky messes everywhere - allllllll over the side of the bed and the floor - because we don’t have a penis to properly insert into a urinal. Cleaning up pee everywhere in the middle of the night is certainly more awakening than wetting a diaper during the movements to get up and pee. And no, I’m not going to try the Purewick system; I’m a side sleeper and don’t want a device that makes noises suction noises on my nightstand, ensuring that the first thing I’ll see every night is a box of pee on my nightstand. I’d still have to wear a diaper with that system anyway, in case the system failed. Last, I’ve dropped a full urinal twice, which is a foul experience. Accordingly, I’ve given up on urinals and just sleep with our good friends: diapers.

My dad died for 3.5 minutes during an emergency partial foot amputation surgery 2.5 years ago. The part of his brain that controls continence didn’t fully recover after he was resuscitated. He’s a really big guy and can barely walk. He has an enlarged prostate and diabetes on top of that, and I swear, he spends half the day in the bathroom peeing - he refuses to wear protection (sigh, the male ego). At night he has multiple awakenings like I do, and because he can’t make it to the bathroom because he now can barely walk, he pees into a urinal by the side of bed. His movements and the noise of him peeing woke my mom up. So she now sleeps in what used to be my room.

Urinal noises split up a couple during the night who has been married for 57 years and together for 59 years.

So yes, urinals suck and make noises loud enough for someone else to hear.

It sounds to me like what they gave you at the home is a bed pan, like this?

Stainless Steel Bed Pan, Adult

Made of the high grade stainless steel (18/8,304) Crafted without seams which prevents bacteria growth and allows for easy cleaning Autoclavable Specifications Attributes Brand Name Tech-Med Sterility Non-Sterile Size 14" x 11 3/8" Material 18/8 Stainless Steel Contains Latex Not made with...

gobiomed.com

This smaller urinal is more convenient and is what my dad uses:

Urinal with Glow-in-the-Dark Lid

Leak resistant lid Bedrail compatible handle Ribbed bottom for strength Ideal opening angle for use 32 oz Latex Free

www.bhmedwear.com

I would think the small one would make much less noise. Are you able to get more, good quality diapers in the home?

In case you’re wondering what a female urinal looks like:

Female Urinal

Contoured design for a complete and secure seal during use. Designed to prevent accidental spills. Easy to use in several positions. Easy to measure - imprinted in ounces and cc's.

www.bhmedwear.com

And:

female urinal with hose attachment - Google Shopping

www.google.com

As you can see, these products imply that the size and shape of every woman’s lips and vaginal area are identical. Farrrrrrrr from it. None off the devices has fit me right, so they spill pee everywhere. No thanks. I, too, am happier with diapers than urinals, except for their price.

 

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Hey @snow;

Phew that is alot of text. But I understand what you are conveying; but I don't click links due to personal and professional reasons as I believe I'm being targeted by false actors (It's a long story - but stems from years ago; I was Catfished; and in order to hide someone's proclivities - I'm being targeted and victimized..yadayada).

Anyway, the good habits they are teaching me - is learning how to live independently. I've always handled my continence issues privately and in a professional manner in and out of the Healthcare system. One of the things about having a bladder condition at a young age is one word -

Ignorance. And that can even be examplified by the older couple you mentioned that were broken apart by the noise of the urinal. It's a shame.

I do wear protection at night; and I probably should wear a decent pullup or cloth underpants with an insert during the day - but you are right - the male ego and being raised in a masculine environment can get to me. I have to tell myself that it's okay to wear protection; but through good people here, as well as some good open minds in the Healthcare industry like my urologist - I can get a pain free good night's rest.

And that's all I can ask for. Maybe one day someone will help guide me to not being in pain and accepting protection during the day - but that day hasn't come yet.

Blessings In Christ,
Honeeecombs

 

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Honeecombs, that is bizarre that a urinal was suggested to you for bedwetting. They’re not designed for use while sleeping. It would have made more sense for them to suggest a condom catheter with an overnight bag, but they really should just be respecting your choice of protection. Diapers really aren’t a big deal.

 

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@Honeeecombs I can really relate. I find there's a lot of pressure from medical professionals to move away from disposable products but at the end of the day they should listen to the wishes of patients. They gave me a fair bit of false hope re a urinary sheath but it wasn't a great solution for me. At the end of the day for me personally the priority is to make life seem as normal as possible so I find nappies sadly work best as I'm wearing underwear of some sort and not fiddling around with tubes and I'm still able to try and make it the toilet. Having a solution I don't require help with (most of the time anyway) is also a must for me.