www.incontinentsupport.org

In a 'word-or-two' .. how do you FEEL about your incontinence and dealing therewith .. here are a few of my own FEELINGS ..

It is a bore .. It is a lot of work .. It costs a fair amount of money .. It occupies a fair amount of time .. It 'is-what-it-is' so I live with it .. Accepting it does not mean I approve of it .. It is inconvenient .. I am grateful for the HUGE SELECTION of wonderful products we have available to us .. I will-happily-take-it as opposed to MANY MANY other far-more-severe health challenges ..

Just a little food-for-thought ..

I will add this .. I am so HAPPY and I am so PLEASED and I am so FORTUNATE to have a spouse who totally understands and supports me with the acceptance-and-sometimes-the-downs I feel about it.

I hope I'm unique, or at least uncommon. Incontinence, for me, has also involved extremely painful bladder and now colon spasms. There is nobody I dislike so much as to wish these spasms on them. I understand the embarrassment, the petty annoyances, the aggravations that incontinence causes us; the pain I can do without.

Interesting topic. For me, I would have to answer things a bit different. I would have to say things with regards to what point I am in with my acceptance.
First would be the beginning, Fear, shame, hate, disappointment, despair, alone.........
Then: still shame, managing, wanting hope, looking for answers, grieving, sadness......
As of right now:more opramistic, hopeful, not so alone, annoyed,

I hope to someday get to were I can say I am comfortable and accepting but I still think thats a long way away.

Rope

It sucks. only my wife and the doctors know. Afraid of what others might say if there is a wetting accident at work. Looking at seeing my brothers and sisters and having hesitation because they don't know and not sure how they would react.

In a few words:

Eh, whatever. I'll live.

Good topic and interesting replies.

It's a bummer - even though I cope fairly effectively and my friends do not know of my incontinence and wearing diapers 24/7. Although I have reached a point of acceptance so that I really don't care anymore, I have never mentioned it to them and no one has noticed.

In addition to the time and money others already have pointed out, it takes planning and preparation to control effectively (I use enemas to control my fecal incontinence). Nonetheless it does affect lifestyle (especially travel) despite everything I do and also takes a psychological toll. My hat is off to those who have to deal with much more severe medical problems and symptoms

--John

Incontinence is a nuisance, but I've come to understand that, in comparison to many other disabilities, it's pretty minor. I think that learning to cope with incontinence has made me more compassionate toward others who have problems to cope with.

I feel humble that some of you have found it worth-your-time to comment on this. Smiles .. Tewi ..

BunnyGirl, you're awesome - I hope that someday I'll attain your grip on life!

Wetters

Compared with other disabilities..I think incontinence although embarrassing it still is minor, since you can carry on living your life like any other "normal" person. You have to plan ahead however once that becomes routine, it's not that bad, in my opinion.

yes I would love not having to deal with being incontinent, however as my wife explains when I sometimes go ballistic / being depressed about it, she comforts me, saying things could be a lot worse, and she's right.