www.incontinentsupport.org

In a few weeks I will be seeing another health professional. I will be having a base line skin evaluation by a dermatologist. My wife encouraged me to have one since she just had surgery for melanoma; which was successful. Since I will probably be partially exposed for this exam, the doctor will most likely see my diaper. Already, I am getting anxious/nervous about this appointment. I am considering sending the clinic a short message explaining the reasons for my incontinence and need to wear diapers. I'm trying to be as open to new health professionals as I can. Is this an appropriate thing to do? All of my other doctors and specialists know of my issues. Even a few of my family members and close friends know, but my anxiety level always increases when someone new becomes aware. Thanks for any advise.
Dennis

I don't have much experience with this but with my abdominal scan (ultrasound) I just went in and pulled down as far as he wanted me to. At that point he could see that I was wearing a diaper but he wasn't shocked or said anything about it. Later on he did gently ask if I was wearing protection because of what he was scanning for and I just answered manner of fact (it wasn't).

I wouldn't send the clinic anything unless it has a direct bearing on your appointment. Being open is ok but they don't need a justification because it's not up to them if you need to wear a diaper or not, even if they disapprove. If they ask about it, just answer honestly and frankly. They'll not dwell on it.

I expect that they've seen it all before. It is easy to say but I wouldn't give it much thought. Instead, I sweated over how I might pee all over the ultrasound table and it just so happened that it didn't happen.

Not to make light of it but boldly go where your diapers have never gone before! I think that the more you treat it as business as usual, the easier it will be.

Good luck Dennis!

Well said!

Echoing what Wayne said, the more you think of diapers as one’s underwear and “business as usual”, the less anxiety there should be.

Everyone of my treating professionals know that I require diapers and plastic pants. I also use eye glass's , and walker . This is my way of managing my new reality and not letting it limit my interaction with the outside world. I trust these people and their knowing this puts both them and me at ease during treatments and appointments.
This includes physiotherapist, massage therapist, occupational therapist, psychiatrist, urologist , cardiologist, orthopedic surgeon, neurologist , my General Physician and a very few close friends including of course my wife and my adult daughter. I know it is hard but try and relax a bit and don't let the stigma hinder you from having a rich beautiful and fulfilling life outside your four walls.

Just my thoughts
Paul Henry

I agree with Paul. All of my medical professionals know as well. Except my pain doctor. But that’s because he’s not treating me for anything incontienence related. There is no reason for me to tell him but I totally would if he needed to know. On all my medical forms I check that I’m incontinent. No shame. It’s awkward yes but it gets easier. My family and friends know as well. It’s much easier than sneaking around hiding diapers and trying to figure out how to change without anyone knowing. I don’t show it off but if people find out so what? Especially medical professionals. Unless it’s the first day, week, etc of them working rest assured you aren’t the first person they have seen in a diaper. I’m an amputee and my bladder issues stem from my accident so people have known since 2015. If you see when I first started posting here around that time I tried to hide it. I was miserable.

Like Paul, I do not "beat around the bush" with my physicians. All are aware of my incontinence and need to wear diapers.

I regularly see my dermatologist for a full-body scan. As I have had melanoma, I take this quite seriously.

Although I normally wear tabbed diapers, I wear a good pullup to the full-body scan. As I try to arrive for the exam with a dry pullup I pee in a toilet just prior to the appointment. My dermatologist (female) scans the diaper area (asking permission first, of course). A pullup makes it easier for both of us as she can just pull the waist down for a scan.

My incontinence (and its cause) is an important part of my medical history. Even my pain doctor needs to know, as the nerve damage affecting my incontinence also plays a part in my pain. As I have neurogenic bowel, part of my fecal incontinence is affected by chronic severe constipation, and opiate pain medication will increases the constipation.

--John
(double incontinent)

The aggravation of opiate caused constipation can lead to bowel incontinence. But you need pain medication, so there is the dilemma. I hope you can experiment with laxatives, stool softeners, and, as you mentioned elsewhere, lots of enemas. I am in your debt, and envious of your skills. As for diapers, we need them, so we wear them and get on with life.

My suggestion, based on personal experience, is to not worry. Wear whatever protection you need. Physicians, including dermatologists, their nurses and assistants see patients will all types of issues. Diapers won't be a new for them and they will be professional. Think about the patients with colostomies who must disrobe regularly for exams. Those of us who wear diapers are no different. How we cope with our issue(s) is simply another variation.

i am sure this has all ready been posted before me but here it is anyway this new doctor has all ready seen 1,000 diapers before and willing to also say they have seen them on a whole range in age and one of the cause of them could very well be diaper rash that could not be healed by any other doctor for example i could very well be wrong but this did come to mind when seeing your post