medical supply store or online shopping ?

[Kolib]

Hello !

I'm new around here and find this forum quite useful. (I am lurking for a few weeks now)

I created an account because I am french and I am going to go in the USA during the summer (for an intership) and I have to prepare to deal with my incontinence during my stay.
I suffer from urge incontinence since a car accident a few years ago (I hurt my nerves pretty bad) so I am wearing diapers 24/7 (medications do very little and surgery is not an available option..). Usually Tena slips during the day and abena M4 with inserts for the night.

The thing is I don't know how to get diapers in the USA. After lurking a little on this forum, it seems that medical supply store are not really common or that they don't have heavy protection products... I should probably order online but I will be living in a houseshare with others scholars... So, I would like to have details about shipping. Is shipment discreet ? because I ordered once last year and receive my order in an ABENA cardbox (wich wasn't very discreet to say the least...) so If you know a good (and discreet) online retailer...

Also, I want to know if you can recommend some good briefs I could use for daytime or nighttime. I see tranquility ATN for the night but is it as good as ABENA ? :/

[Don]

Kolib,

Welcome to the forum. You will find some good advice here. I know I have learned alot from many of these fine people.

As far as your questions go, I get my stuff from Xpmedical. They have reasonable prices and their shipments come in a plain brown box. I know many people here use them. The Federal Government (Dept. of Vets Affairs) buys my Abena products from them. I use Abena exclusviely. I have tried many others and am sold on the Abena product. I have tried tranquility. To me, they leaked around the leg holes when I leaked in a seated position. Left wet spots on my furniture. Some people say they work if you put a booster in it. I for one believe that you shouldn't have to put a booster in it. The diaper should just function like its supposed to without any help. Some others may recommend some other suppliers. Its just a matter of taste. Shop around on some sites and compare prices. I wouldn't do business with anyone that doesn't ship a case for free.

[Sandy]

Welcome to the board
My two cents says if you want to try and buy them in your area rather then online. Find a mom and pop owned drug store. They can often get a much larger selection of types and brands then the big chain stores. I have one about 35 min. from me that can order almost any brand of diaper you can think of. I get most of my Attends and tranquility products from there. Their prices are fairly good also. One pack of six tape waist band Attends are only $11.99.........................Sandy

[zenute]

I use the pull on style Abena and Tranquility. Abena is a bit better for my needs, but Tranquility is less expensive for day use and times when I'm having less severe problems. So far, the cheapest case I have found for Tranquility is through North Shore Care/Samela, but through U.S. Amazon.com, not through North Shore's own website.) Haven't restocked Abenas lately, but as of a few days ago, the North Shore Care price on Amazon.com (again, not through North Shore itself, which lists a more expensive price) came down to $3-4 less than XP Medical, which was previously the lowest price unless somewhere went on sale. I'm not sure if this applies to the Abena brief styles too, but worth a look. Shipping or cases is free, fast and discreet. North Shore also has some other brands and supplies.

[redwolf]

I would 2nd Don's recommendation for XP Medical. The owner is incontinent as well and he ships in unmarked boxes with free case shipping. He offers a most of the high quality disposables like Abena, Dry 24/7 and Molicare. If you experience heavy nighttime voids, you might want to try the Dry 24/7. They are by far the most absorbent disposables I have ever seen.

-Darin

[Puffy Pants]

Hello Kolib, welcome to the forum, it is easier to find somewhere close to home, but there are several online options that have a good reputation for price and shipping. Another one not mentioned as of yet is http://www.b4ns.com/index.php I have used them before, and ship worldwide as well. Good luck in finding a supplier either at home or on the web, Puffy

[Kolib]

thanks for the informations.

I'll take a look at Xpmedial and b4ns. I didn't know 24/7 diapers. I might try them..

By the way, do you know a good diaper for daytime. I usually use tena diapers maxi which can hold a lot and be more discreet than Abena. Do you have something like that because abena are a bit too bulky to wear during the day.. And I wouldn't like my co-workers to know my medical conditions
(I'll be working in a team, so it may be suspicious if I go to the restroom with my bag too often..)

[SeattleDoug]

Check out http://www.securepersonalcare.com.

They offer a good quality diaper that is more discrete than Abena and it is almost as absorbent. The X-Plus brief they offer works well for both bowel and bladder issues.

[Don]

I have mixed experiences with B4NS. They have major supplier issues. I have also found them to be extremely overpriced. I ordered a pair of plastic pants from them in mid february. I finally got my pant early April. A month and a half later. With no reasoning from B4NS. I would shop around and compare prices before I bought from B4NS.

[don0417]

kolib,

I've been using the 24/7 for a while now & at this point couldn't be more satisfied. I get them from XP Medical & am on a keep fill basis. If you do the auto order they have you get a 5% discount and also free shipping. It's nice to do it that way because you never need to worry about running out. They are also a very friendly bunch. You might want to at least take a look.