Urinary Incontinence Support Group
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary excretion of urine from one's body. It is often temporary, and it almost always results from an underlying medical condition. Stress, functional, and urge incontinence are the most common forms. Share with other support group members and learn from their stories and experiences.
Hey everyone,
I'm brand new on this forum, although not brand new to many of the topics and discussions I've read up until this post.
I felt compelled to join in hopes for a little advice - I've been struggling to wrap my head around whether or not I'm being lazy, gross, or if I'm overall 'giving up' by moving to adult briefs.
Here's a little backstory on my condition. I've had overactive bladder my entire life. The drips, dribbles, leaks, sneeze/cough/laugh leaks, and full blown 'i can't make it' accidents started at age 20, the doctor visits were plentiful, and the depends underwear started at age 23. The act of urinating even at the toilet is a field day - stopping and starting, never fully emptying, and my bladder suddenly continuing to empty on it's own after I've washed my hands and walked out.
Although I could have confirmed this myself, my Urologist established a clear link between my anxiety, stress, and panic attacks, with heightened symptoms of O.A.B. & accidents. Apparently, I have more of a pelvic wall issue than a bladder issue. What happens is that the anxiety tightens the pelvic wall, which then strangles the bladder. After lifelong issues, the pelvic wall has managed to squeeze tighter and tighter, which overtime as shrunken the bladder and makes it feel full at all times. What are the ways to fix this? Physical therapy. The worst kind.
The physical therapy used to calm the pelvic wall is performed by a therapist inserting a tool through the rectum that is supposed to relieve tension in the muscles. YIKES. If that wasn't bad enough, it's nearly $300 a session, which I was recommended to go once to twice a week. Results should show in a year. A year!? No thanks! - And If I wanted to go the bladder route, I'm not willing to try expensive and possibly harmful medications at 26. Nor am I willing to risk surgery.
So now, I'm 26. The protective underwear is very useful, but desperately needing to pee every twenty minutes has become a reality and I'm very irritated and sick of running to the toilet constantly. The Pull-up is only meant for a single accident, and is not designed to be used like an adult diaper. So I'm finally to my question.
I'm considering a trial run of using adult diapers. I know they have their own set of problems, but I am literally so sick of feeling desperate to pee at all times during the day. It's controlling my life.
So.. Am I giving up? Or am I answering my needs? Any opinions or advice will help and be very appreciated.
Thanks,
EchoBoy
I'm brand new on this forum, although not brand new to many of the topics and discussions I've read up until this post.
I felt compelled to join in hopes for a little advice - I've been struggling to wrap my head around whether or not I'm being lazy, gross, or if I'm overall 'giving up' by moving to adult briefs.
Here's a little backstory on my condition. I've had overactive bladder my entire life. The drips, dribbles, leaks, sneeze/cough/laugh leaks, and full blown 'i can't make it' accidents started at age 20, the doctor visits were plentiful, and the depends underwear started at age 23. The act of urinating even at the toilet is a field day - stopping and starting, never fully emptying, and my bladder suddenly continuing to empty on it's own after I've washed my hands and walked out.
Although I could have confirmed this myself, my Urologist established a clear link between my anxiety, stress, and panic attacks, with heightened symptoms of O.A.B. & accidents. Apparently, I have more of a pelvic wall issue than a bladder issue. What happens is that the anxiety tightens the pelvic wall, which then strangles the bladder. After lifelong issues, the pelvic wall has managed to squeeze tighter and tighter, which overtime as shrunken the bladder and makes it feel full at all times. What are the ways to fix this? Physical therapy. The worst kind.
The physical therapy used to calm the pelvic wall is performed by a therapist inserting a tool through the rectum that is supposed to relieve tension in the muscles. YIKES. If that wasn't bad enough, it's nearly $300 a session, which I was recommended to go once to twice a week. Results should show in a year. A year!? No thanks! - And If I wanted to go the bladder route, I'm not willing to try expensive and possibly harmful medications at 26. Nor am I willing to risk surgery.
So now, I'm 26. The protective underwear is very useful, but desperately needing to pee every twenty minutes has become a reality and I'm very irritated and sick of running to the toilet constantly. The Pull-up is only meant for a single accident, and is not designed to be used like an adult diaper. So I'm finally to my question.
I'm considering a trial run of using adult diapers. I know they have their own set of problems, but I am literally so sick of feeling desperate to pee at all times during the day. It's controlling my life.
So.. Am I giving up? Or am I answering my needs? Any opinions or advice will help and be very appreciated.
Thanks,
EchoBoy
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In 2013 I had an accident resulting in spinal injury at the base of my neck with paralysis from there down, spasticity (muscle contractions and spasms) and double incontinence. Both my anus and my urethra have been left closed except with manual intervention. I hardly ever pass urine via the usual route (I have a suprapubic catheter passing directly into my bladder about 2 inches below my...
I use the Tena Super briefs for both day and night, although sometimes I add a boost pad for more absorbancy. Just make sure the diapers you are using are absorbent enough for the amount of time you will need before changing. At first it feels like everyone knows that you are wearing a diaper, but that goes away quickly. How many people that you see have you ever been able to tell that they are wearing a diaper?
We can help you on products if you want, just let us know. I mostly order from the internet, because the diapers you can buy in the stores are just not that good. I would encourage you to at least give the diapers a try for a month or so and see if that does not really relieve a lot of stress. Hope this helps, let us know how you are doing.
So did I give up? No, I found what works for me so that I can live. Living the quality of life one needs/wants is more important than caring is someone thinks you have given up/in on something.
I hope you find what works for you and that you can start living life the way you want to and not the way the doctors want you to.
She was right of course once I started wearing nappies all the time soon any control I had was lost. To be honest life in nappies is so much easier. I no longer worry about wetting my self or never being far from a toilet
Those I work with know of my situation and are supportive and daring, my wife appreciates the reduction in laundry and ironing.
Anxiety is a big complicating factor and finding the right solution means having a way of living life without the added stress of worrying about getting to the toilet before your underwear is too wet or pee is running down your leg.
If your own "internal control" systems are failing there is nothing shameful about using external control methods as long as they are reliable - there is no point in being less than confident in the protection you use so that the "have i wet myself" anxiety is replaced by "has my diaper leaked" anxiety".
Many years ago incontinent people were virtually housebound and endured a constant battle to keep enough cloth nappies and dry clothes available. More recently the first disposable products were pretty dire and hard scratchy plastic pants were only partially successful in controlling leaks.
Today the right protection can be very effective,not uncomfortable and happily you soon get used to the security of knowing that you will be able to cope.
I take issue with IC nurses who say "if you use protection you will lose control of your bladder completely". I wear protection because i have lost control, but that does not mean that I don't exercise what control I have when I know i need to pee. The pad is there for the times when I don't realize i need to empty my bladder and it decides for itself -or despite my best efforts leakage happens.
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Plus remember this, nothing says that you have to make one decision and stick with it. On less busy days, maybe you decide protective underwear and multiple trips to the bathroom are fine. And then maybe there'll be days were you say to heck with it and go with a full diaper so you don't have to be interrupted. I keep a wide variety of products in my arsenal of protection even though most days I just go with my diaper. I seem to be happier that way.
Best of luck,
CJ
Mine was on and off since childhood, overactive and small bladder complicated by back surgery's for spinal injuries, nerve damage and so on
After a while on pad's then pullup,s and diapers too medication did not work for me, I consulted with my urologist.
He suggested I try botox treatment not the most pleasant of treatment ss, but after nearly a year of being free from pads diapers protection I am not complaing.
I know I will go back to get topped up when it wears off but this is expected.
I hope you this helps
Rorg
I'm to see a urologist about this procedure Monday, 11/30. However, I'd much like to know patients' experiences w/ this device.
Is there anyone out there that has had experience w/ this device?
Often times, procedures that are promoted to alleviate discomfort
or inconveniences don't really provide significant relief. I have SUI - stress urinary incontinence, and I am continually leaking. I've had seed implants, radiation, a prostatectomy and a transurethral resection at the bladder neck. I've been using diapers, external catheter and a urinary cup w/ accompanying support underwear. I change these aides from time to time to give this area a rest from chafing. I wash the perineal area frequently, twice a day at rimes.
I'd much appreciate any information about the use and effects of this device.
TIA