www.incontinentsupport.org

I posted this a couple of other places as well but always looking for advice
Yesterday for the first time I had a full bladder problem while on campus. I had only one class hour and 15 minute class today because another one of my classes was canceled. Right before I went to go into class I felt the slight urge to go but ignored it and it soon went away like many of the urges to go I get. With about half an hour left in class the urge started to return but not too strong. When the class let out it was still their and getting stronger and I needed to go buy some stuff from the campus bookstore for my bike but still figured I could make it back to my apartment with no problems and then use the toilet (given the choice between a public toilet and the one in my apartment I definately prefer my own). As I checked out from the bookstore I felt myself leak a very small amount the urge was strong but definately not to the point of wetting myself. I had a bit of a walk to the parking garage my car was in and as I neared the parking garage I started leaking just a little with every step. I started leaking a little more as I climbed the stairs in the parking garage. Then when I reached my car and stopped to get my keys and unlock it my bladder just totally let go and I couldn't stop it (I think that the fact that I was moving had kept it from totally going due to muscles moving around it or whatever). My bladder must have been almost full which I didn't expect as usually with my OAB I need to go frequently and usually not large quantities and I had went not long before I left to head to campus. Well I got in my car and real quick drove to my apartment, and went in my room and got changed, and found for the first time for me one of Abri-flex pull ons had leaked out the side under my leg and had my boxer briefs I wear under it damp luckily my shorts were still dry. It looked like the abri-flex could have held more but I think my bladder emptied so quickly that it overflowed the standing leak guards before it could absorb everything.
Sorry for the long rambling story this is the first time I've had an issue like this on campus and still getting used to all of this and figured maybe somebody had some advice or maybe could relate or whatever

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-full time graduate student with urge urinary incontinence due to an overactive bladder

I am sorry you had this experience. I can definitely relate. If I am unable to follow my timed voiding routine, the pull-ups I wear (usually real fits) flood and leak. In the past, I have experiemented with fitted briefs (Abena Delta Form). I never had leaks with these. But I found that, over time, I totally abandoned my timed voiding routine and developed the habit of always using the diaper. It was very comfortable to give in to that. For me, this was not a good habit, and I switched back to timed voiding/pull ups. You may feel as I do, or you may prefer to transition to a fitted brief. On the positive side, you could probably avoid public restrooms for several hours. On the negative, your voiding habits might deteriorate. Many here have struggled with this sort of decision. I hope you find a system that works for you.

I've struggled with that thought before and I do think if I use a full diaper my voiding habits would get worse and also I frequently have issues with loose stools and diarrhea never have any trouble with leakage on that end thankfully but often it is occumpanied by pretty strong urgency so being able to get to a toilet quickly is always a good thing and also it is difficult to find a brief that can easily be taken off and put back on after going #2. However I have thought about doing it just in case. For me doing timed voiding isn't really possible half because of my schedule but also because my bladder is so inconsistent some days I only need to pee two or three times other days I get the urge almost every 40 minutes it is just a crapshoot so I'm just not sure really

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-full time graduate student with urge urinary incontinence due to an overactive bladder

If your bowel urgency continues or gets worse, you may need to switch to full tape-on diapers and plastic pants. In one sense, these are easier to manage because you do not need to remove your pants to change; however, they are more expensive. Also, if bowel control becomes a serious issue, you might consider adding Nullo or another internal deodorant to your diet. Good luck.

I already use tape-on diapers during the night just not ready to make the daytime switch. Yesterday, was the first time in a while I had some bowel urgency and I think I had just eaten something bad the day before. When I say frequently I mean maybe once every month or two not like multiple times a weeks.

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-full time graduate student with urge urinary incontinence due to an overactive bladder

my urge incon was similar in the beginning. I had 2 VERY public accidents that prompted me to start wearing diapers.

At first I gambled too...either with wearing far too little protection (Depends real fit) or no protection and thinking I could make it. Well one day I flooded my pants and totally overwhelmed the Depends on a packed commuter train. I'm talking soaked khakis in front of dozens of people, puddles at my feet, people moving away from me.

Another time, at a mall I ignored the urges and thought I could take my time and make it and then I flooded my pants with no protection at all in the middle of the crowded food court. Looking back, I can't understand why it took my two such accidents to embrace that fact that I really needed to wear a proper diaper at all times.

My IC has gotten orders of magnitude worse since then and I'd not dare be more than 30 seconds from a toilet without a diaper on. I can actually do this at home and "air out" a bit as my house is relatively small but has 3 bathrooms. But once I get dressed for the day or have any plans of stepping out, I'm taping a BetterDry on.

I'm the same way and hoping my IC doesn't get worse some days I go without protection some days with I'm glad it was a day I had protection on although I do think I am more likely to try to find a bathroom sooner if I don't have protection on so might not have even had an accident. Usually I can get an idea if it is going to be a day where I'm going to have an issue before leaving my apartment if I need to use the toilet multiple times or have some super strong urgency then I will typically use protection because I know it will likely be a day when more protection is needed. The inconsistency of my issues is annoying that way. I really don't want to have to make the switch to a proper diaper in the daytime unless it is totally necessary as I feel like almost that would be giving up

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-full time graduate student with urge urinary incontinence due to an overactive bladder

Hello, I can definitely relate as well. I still remember how hard I was struggling with my incontinence in college. Especially as I had a roommate to share a room with, he was a cool guy - very friendly, but I was young and terrified back then. I didn't want anybody learning about my issues and obviously it didn't take them long before they noticed. If you are coping with similar problems as I used to I will give you this bit of advice beforehand - you should come clean and tell your friends, peers about what really is your problem. They will notice, people are not dumb, especially in such a small community like in college - you may think you are doing very well hiding your issues, but the truth is that you won't hide them for long. They will talk among themselves about your weird behavior, weird smell from time to time etc. You can't really escape it, so my best advice would be to tell them while looking them straight in the eye with serious and confident expression on your face. Do not feel embarrassed or shy when you do this and I wish you to get well

Wearing better protection is not giving up its being realistic and proactive in dealing with incontinence issues. as the cooler months arice you will probably see an increase in your bladder issues. If you are having full floods pullups even the best brand are not designed to deal with the volume you will leak. ignoring the the the urge to pee is not a good idea if you are staying with the pullups and timed voids.

As west has stated people will find out over time, even quicker if your pullups fail and they will. proper taped diaperss like betterdry or dry 24/7 or northshores premium diapers will give you the confidence that your protection will handle your bladder issue. I deal with multiple no warning full floods every day I now wear Thicker absorbant taped diapers 24/7 (BetterDry) and can trust my protection to do its job. Talking aboit incontinence gets easier and you will feel less stressed about changing and managing bladder issues when hour family and people you hang around with all the time know you have a medical iasue and require diapers.

remember you are not alone in having to wear diapers again as an adult once you accept you need to wear and can be open about your needs managing your incontinence with premium taped diapers becomes a non issue that is easy to deal with.

My bladder issues vary sometimes I have barely any control and have frequent accidents and other times I am pretty much dry for a few weeks lately I've been dry so haven't been wearing much protection if any most days but when my issues are bad I wear protection as I think I need. It is almost more frustrating because it isn't consistent. If it gets to the point where I have no control then I'd be more willing to tell others about my need but for now since I still have a good bit of control it isn't an issue at all for me to manage on my own

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-full time graduate student with urge urinary incontinence due to an overactive bladder