www.incontinentsupport.org

I was on my way to a medical appointment yesterday (actually it was group therapy for my bipolar disorder) when I had sudden onset diarrhea and subsequent bowel incontinence (I do take nullo). It happened while driving on my way there. No big deal, I thought I was early enough that I would just go in to the bathroom and change. Luckily, nobody was in the waiting room. So I went into the bathroom thinking I was clear. Wrong. I had all of my supplies in my backpack except my wipes. How could I have forgotten them? All I can think of is I must have forgot to put them back when I changed backpacks (I have 2). So I had about 45 mins till my appointment. I decided to leave and go buy more at the drugstore down the road which was about a ten minute drive. In a wet and soiled diaper, that wasn't fun. But I had to change. I could not sit in that mess for an hour in therapy. So I did what I had to do and went back for my appointment. This time, when I went in the waiting room was packed with about 10 people. It was quiet. In the clinic the bathroom is connected with the waiting room. When the waiting room is quiet, you can hear everything that goes on in the bathroom including people peeing. You cannot hide the ripping of diaper tapes and fumbling with wipes that go on in the bathroom. So I had to suck it up and go change even though everyone could hear me. I wear Dry 24/7. Not the quietest diaper. I had to just bite the bullet and rip the tapes off. There is no way everybody outside did not hear me. I went into the bathroom with a backpack. By now, if people were paying attention, they would know what was in it. Sounds from the bathroom echo in the waiting room. Anyway, I fumbled with my wipes and cleaned up and applied a new diaper. Once again popping the tapes to attach. Put my clothes back on, I flushed the toilet, washed my hands, and when I went out, the stares were pretty overwhelming. Nobody said a word. But my group members now know that I'm the guy that wears diapers. Oh well, keep calm and carry on.

Sorry to hear about your bad day. I remember years ago when I got an infection in my colon after jumping of a bridge a river from about 35 feet up. I ended up at the hospital after waking up in a messy diaper (I am a bed wetter so) with my back hurting so much I could not walk. It was 3am and my parents got me cleaned up and ready to go which included a fresh diaper. The hospital did blood test and after the results came back then decided that I needed an enema and a lot of fluids. The enema cleaned me out but then they decided that I needed to stay. Due to bloody stool. I ended up in the Icu because they gave me two I.V.'s and and I had not peed in ten hours. I ended up with tubes coming out both ends in the hospital for two days. After getting out I was in diapers 24/7 for a few day will diarrhea and wetting due to the medication I was on. I was 19 and working at the time. Work knew I was in the hospital but I was asked if I could come in for a meeting. I ended up running out of the meeting to the bathroom. I ended up just getting in the door when i severely messed my diaper and pants and had to call my parents to get my go bag out of my car and also buy me new pants. Every one at work knew I what happened and were cool about it but it was hard going back to work when I got better. I ended up getting my hours cut so much that I left that job and looking back I should have went after them for it but I was majorly embarrassed ever day at work anyway so I don't want to be there after.

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Focus of what is important
Capture the good times
Develop from the negatives
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Don, that was an unfortunate experience and to be quite embarrassing for you. At least it is behind you now. In your words, keep calm and carry on.

--John

I'm sorry you had to experience that, for me it's a similar problems when I have a bowel accident at the college, and since I'm mostly there my classes get disturbed sometimes when I have an accident in the middle of it cause I have to go and change.

Yeah, I know how that feels too. I finished my degree online because my disabilities became too much to deal with in traditional schooling. I soiled myself many times in classes because as I mentioned before I get very little warning before I have an accident. I usually take nullo so odor was minimal but sitting in a full diaper was not something I was willing to do. So I would just excuse myself and go change in the handicapped restroom where I had more space.

Yeah, it gets pretty hard to clean up when you have an accident while your seated >.<
Even I have access to a handicap bathroom on campus... But it's still a little hard to clean up in compared to at home. I too have had so many moments where I soiled myself during class.... It's so depressing..... I think you mentioned you have diarrhea and I feel so bad for you....I hope your managing okay with it...

Yea I do ok. I keep a backpack with supplies with me at all times. It usually stays in my car. I use a&d ointment and powder. I also wear a PUL cover over my diaper. The nullo I take cuts down on the odor. I have no qualms about using a handicapped bathroom. Nobody has ever said anything to me. I need the extra space. I don't mind changing when I'm out and about. I'm used to it. I prefer handicapped stalls in the corner of the bathroom. The college I went to had several. I mapped out all the locations. If I felt a bowel movement coming on, I would quickly leave. I do the same in public. I usually have an accident on the way to the bathroom. The nullo comes in handy keeping it a secret. I'm sure everyone here will agree that having someone in public know you have soiled yourself is pretty miserable and very embarrassing.

It is embarrassing, miserable, and infantile. I'm not sure you ever get over it. At least I don't think I ever will.

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I think Hotdogg is right that we don't completely get over it. However, we learn to bounce back more quickly and get on with living.

--John