www.incontinentsupport.org

Several members have commented that their symptoms improve during the summertime. It's the same for me. This is a complex blessing because it changes my routine. Wearing protection becomes optional rather than necessary. At this point, I'm not very good at discerning when it will be a good day and when it will be a bad day. Does anyone who wears protection part-time have any suggestions about how to predict in advance when symptoms might flare up? Thanks for any advice you have.

Noe

Hi Noe

Jurying the summertime a lot of us seem to have more good days then we do in the colder weather, unfortunately a good day can change to a bad day quickly and with no warning.

Incontinence is unpredictable by nature its better to be protected for when your bladder decides to act up.



Rob

Noe,
For me there isn't any good days, But if I did I would always stay protected. Remember to old saying " Better safe than sorry"

I've been dealing with this for a number of years now, and because my symptoms have stabilized (for the moment) I feel safe in having days without protection. Many times I would try to have a "dry day" in my early years, I would end up having a major embarrassment instead. When I look back, I can honestly say "what was I thinking?" But now that summer weather has arrived and my wet days have diminished, I am looking forward to wearing normal underwear again. It was a warm sunny day yesterday, but I knew I would be wading in our koi pond so I wore a diaper anyhow, since being wet is one of my triggers.

So- KNOW YOUR TRIGGERS. These are different for each of us. Know all your triggers- coffee, rain, washing dishes, whatever. Be prepared for each of these before you make that decision to go without. That's my take on it.

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- Tom

The best way to predict it is to hope for the best and plan for the worst. Even if you can go a whole day without needing a diaper then it still wasn't a waste as it still brought you stress relief in not needing to worry about it.

I can just picture this, "Gee, Sweetie, I'd really love to wash the dishes but I can't because that is one of my triggers!"

--John

There are a number of tips you could follow to try predict and prepare. One is knowing ahead what you are going to do during the day. 1) look up the forecast! and be prepared for sudden changes in weather.2) It is wise to dress warmly or at least keep some extra clothing with you just in case, and if you have to sit outside or in some other cool environment, it is a good idea to dress warmly. I always wear a double shirt and thin woolen socks to protect my kidneys, bladder and feet from the cold. (If my feet get cold, at least my bladder goes haywire). 3) Bladder issues are diverse, mine is sensitive and overactive with occasionally painful urination and it tends to warn of bad days in the mornings. There's an unpleasant, burning pressure & throbbing in the groin-abdomen area and pain in the kidneys, so listening to one's body might be helpful, if the nerves are working (for people with nerve-damage this probably does not work).

4) Especially during summer, be prepared for air-conditioned (i.e. freezing cold) environments and of places with hard (usually also cold) seats etc. if you have to visit them. This helps in preparing. In outdoor cafes it is a good idea to avoid metal chairs, especially if there are no cushioning. 5) It is safest to assume that most days will turn bad. Where I live, it is not uncommon for the weather to change quickly from warm to arctic in a matter of minutes. The northern parts of the country just got 4 inches of "summer snows". 6) Medications, if one has that, is a necessity. I decrease the medicine intake during summer as the chemical causes dizziness and sensitivity to heat. 7) I would wear adiaper if I had to remain stationary (say outdoors concert etc.) or visit a mass-event, like a big outdoor-market or something as they rarely have enough portable toilets so that they could be reached quickly. Even if it is warm, especially if there's some breeze, I get very easily cold, and that is bad for my bladder. I also avoid drinking alcohol if I'm outside. Water's okay in small amounts. But these tips are probably familiar to most people with inco-issues.

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Linja-autojen ja rakkauden perässä voi juosta tai odottaa seuraavaa.

Gonna have to try this one!! LOL!!!

As for my triggers, well, there is breathing....... and, um.... breathing seems to be the biggest one!!

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When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.

Marcus Aurelius

I'm rather new to being cognizant of my issues. I noticed my issues have reduced as well with the summer weather, which I am thankful for. However, my issues seem predictable relative to my frequency. I keep protection in my car and start the day with normal underwear, then if I feel my frequency is getting high, I change before problems like leaks or sudden urges start occurring. This has protected me pretty well, with only a handful of noticeable incidents. I'm very glad that I can go without protection sometimes, as I get prickly heat pretty horribly in the summer and any less sweat collection down there is better.

For me, there is no part time for wearing protection. Even when I have dry perioids, i wear, or at least keep them handy. I would much rather have them handy and wear them and not need it, than need it and not have it. That's one advantage of cloth diapers..if you end up not needing it can be reused rather than wasting a product. Of course, every product has its downside. With cloth there is the upfront expense and the occasioanal compresion leaks.. but thats for another post.

Peace out!

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"We cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love" Mother Teresa

"THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!" - Captain Picard from Chain of Command, Part II