www.incontinentsupport.org

It appears to be a common theme doctors not accepting diapers as a viable solution for incontinence. Many of the web pages I visit on incontinence also appear to tell a slanted or 'fairy tale' version of what medical science can actually do, that incontinence can be cured or successfully treated.

So what I am wondering is has anyone ever encountered a doctor or 'medical professional' that was sully supportive of using diapers, rather than running more tests, installing medical devices or using more drugs?

Hello yes my husbands doctor is fully supportive of his using diapers. The doctor said not all forms are treatable with medications or surgery.

Here in the UK nappies (diapers) are used a whole lot less. First line solutions for men are sheaths (external catheters) and drainage bags which avoid the problems of changing, nappy rash etc.

For those with retention and overflow incontinence, intermittent catheters are the best solution (I should know, I'm not needing and protection during the day) but I would expect that this solution would be the same in the USA. I could also have a supra-pubic catheter which is very unlikely to get infected compared with the urethral kind.

In the UK these possibilities are explored first and only, I suspect, in the case of faecal incontinence would absorbent products be suggested.

I think the medical support depends on the type of incontinence a person has. For example, my incontinence is cause by damaged to my lower spinal cord causing nerve damage a medical condition known as Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES). I get the impression that my urologist thinks using diapers is pretty much a last resort. Since I am double incon, (bowel & bladder), wearing diapers is the easiest way to go since my options are limited. It only makes sence that the medical community would like to PREVENT the use of diapers by treating each patient to the fullest before opting for one of the last resorts.

In my experience, urologists and other physicians seem generally to think that a man should use an external catheter (sheath). I even had one urologist tell me that wearing a diaper was "unmanly." Over the years, I've developed a pretty thick skin when it comes to dealing with doctors. IMHO, diapers are much more comfortable to wear and less prone to catastrophic failure than external catheters. So I just tell the doctors that I prefer to wear a diaper and make that statement the end of the discussion.

It depends on the type of external catheter you have. I tried many of them until I found one that works. And then they have double sided gel tape to use so it won't come off. I have been wearing one for 2 years and I have never had one come off and I do all kinds of things wearing my leg bag. I grow roses and have no problem with it outside in the heat. I use a leg bag that is quiet and doesn't slosh around. My insurance covers all of my supplies.

Hello, all,

I am fecal incontinent and have the support from my doctors (Internal medicine and gastroenterology) to wear diapers. My gastroenterologist noted various surgical options but recommended against them. With bowel, there are really not a lot of options and diapers may be the most effective.

I do administer enemas (with medical approval) to clear out the colon and buy myself about 12+ hours in which to go about a normal life. However, sometimes an accident occurs earlier than expected and that is where the diapers are indispensable.

--JD

I see a continence nurse and a urologist. The continence nurse is The one who prescribes pads. The urologist doesn't do any of that and you can see a continence nurse without ever seeing a urologist. The continence nurse first wanted me to try self catheterising only but that in part was because she thought it would work completely! Then we move on to nappy style pads and now a combo of pads and Tena flex. Honestly,none of the doctors have seen have ever mentioned it. I've been asked if I wore pads only as part of an evaluation of severity. It's none of their business I guess.

Same here my doctor and of course the urologist I saw know all about my incontinence fut they mentioned nothing about how I should deal with it. This was left to the continence nurse. She prescribed me pads for night time use and agree'd with me if I was managing with the washable inco pants I should stick with them.

I've found that most doctors believe that men should not wear a diaper unless every other option has failed. I even had one urologist that wearing a diaper is "unmanly". So I've given condom catheters, which is what I've been told is a better solution, on three different occasions. However, I found,the condom catheters caused more skin irritation (and in a particularly sensitive place), were less comfortable to wear, and more prone to catastrophic leaks than a diaper. So I'm a diaper boy.