www.incontinentsupport.org

Well, went in for my yearly check up at the VA and actually got a Doc that listen to my thoughts. They are changing. I was shocked through when I had to give a sample it was only in a cup, vice the machine that monitors your stream. We discussed the meds I have tried and the new meds out on the market. He actually listened and didn't push when I told him I didn't want to take any more meds due to the side effects and there was only a little improvement. Just wasn't worth it. He asked if I had tried a condom cath, which I have and he listen to about how the tube showed through my work pants so that was out of the question. He mentioned about a guy he saw the other day that had some type of cup that he wore and was wondering if I had seen that before. Even discussed botox, but stopped when I told him I knew about it was a temp fixed and I knew I would have to cath afterwards, we moved on to the the next area. I got the idea he was trying to get me out of adult diapers which was fine, but he quickly realized I knew my stuff. I told him I have looked at various options and knew from this support group that when the condom cath fails or that cup things spills it is a catastrophic failure leaving a puddle where you stand or sit. With a diaper it may leak when pushed to its max, but the puddle you are left with is minimum and may not be noticed. From there it was well do you have enough supplies.

I've had bladder-control issues since I experienced a surgical mishap when I was 14 years old, and I've been in diapers 24/7 for about 30 years now. My experience is that physicians ALWAYS think I should be managing my incontinence some way other than wearing a diaper. They don't seem to understand the extent to which condom catheters are difficult and fiddley to handle and prone to catastrophic leaks. So I've had to be firm and explain that I think that wearing a diaper is an easiest and most reliable solution for me. I'm 74 years old now, and the idea that a man my age might wear a diaper seems less objectionable to my current physicians than was the case when I was younger.

Batman,
I glad your doctor took the time to sit and actually listen. My doctor has been super supportive on my journey through my ordeal. Condom catheters to me are just a true pain and very unreliable. I now use Duette catheter though the week and wear diapers on the weekend to give my bladder a break. This is the plan that we came up with to keep me dry and infection free.