www.incontinentsupport.org

I am glad the medical professionals I have come in contact with and see to treat me are so non-chalant about me wearing diapers. I feel I can talk to any of my doctors or nurses about my incontinence and diapers and they will not judge me. It makes me feel good to talk to them. I don't have to hide behind my incontinence. And many times, they can give me advice. I have even taught my doctors a few things about living with incontinence and how to have a successful life despite it. Many of the things I mentioned I learned on forums like this one.

I have physical therapy as I mentioned in another thread and the physical therapist always has his hand on my hip and right leg. I wear light gym shorts to PT and an abena extra underneath. I know my Physical therapist can feel my diaper as he touches my hip. He stretches my leg out everytime I go. And has his hand toward my buttock. But he doesn't say anything. Meeting good people like this in the world makes me feel better. I'm not so ashamed of being incontinent. Now don't get me wrong, I don't go around just telling anyone. I am very particular about who I tell. So far, only my family and doctors know. None of my friends.

I'll add my two cents, Don, as I've had only good experience with medical professionals.....which is how it should be!

One time I was being X-rayed lying down, for back / hip pain. I was wearing cloth diapers....this was a long time back before we had good disposable diapers. The tech came in and said "I hate to ask but can you remove the pins? They are in the way of reading the X-ray." I immediately complied and after sucessful shots I was asked if I needed any assistance......to which I replied, "no thanks, I'll just be an extra minute getting up from here." End of story, no discussions!

More recently, with a massage therapist.....which I use on a routine basis now for a number a years along with a chiropractor....I always thought I had to "explain" the diapers.....until I asked myself one day....Why? Other than my primary care doctor.....who else needs any explanation? So with a new massage therapist, I opted not to say anything (until asked) and then only say I had incontinence issues. Well, it has never come up and a massage therapist is all over your back, lower back, buttocks, legs and there is no hiding a diaper! And the subject of diapers has never come up ......

I'm a very private person, so that is just how I like it....very few people know I wear diapers....that's my personal business.

JoeK

Yea Joe, I'm with you on the medical professionals. Thats great about the xray tech. Very professional indeed. I too have had xrays, CT scans, and MRI's and I've never had anyone ask me about the diapers. I only had to say something to my CT tech because I was having a scan done of my lower abdominal region. It was of my GI tract. I was wearing an extra. I had to strip my clothes off, leave the diaper, and put on a gown for the CT scan. I told the clinic about my incontinence and it was no big deal. The diaper did not interfere with the scan. Nobody said a word to me and they reassured me that all was ok and there was no reason to be embarassed. My scan went great.

I don't go around telling people either that don't have a need to know. I have an old friend who is a massage therapist. I have thought about going to see her for a massage. She knows I have Bipolar Disorder. But does not know of my incontinence. Going to see her would involve telling her of my incontinence. I just don't know if I'm up for that. My wife has severe headaches and I'm definitely going to send her to get a massage as I think it would relieve some of the tension. But I probably won't go. As of now, only my close family know.

Whenever my Bipolar puts me in the hospital, I always take my own diapers with me. I haven't been in the hospital in a year though, thank God. I have been stable for a year. Anyway, back to my point, I always wear just plain street clothes in the hospital. I usually wear sweat pants and a tshirt and flip flops around the unit. Because its more comfortable and I sleep alot. I wear an Abena Extra underneath my sweat pants. You may be able to tell what I'm wearing under the sweat pants, but for some reasoon, when I'm in the hospital, I don't care too much about my appearance. The nurses and doctors all know of course. I just don't see it as that big of a deal.

I did have one patient say something to me once. He was my room mate in the hospital. I had come in the night before and he was going home that day. He saw two of my diapers in our rooms trashcan and said...."What in the hell are those"? I didn't respond. I just rolled over and went back to sleep. I just thought what a jerk. I have never had a problem since. That is the only time I have had a problem and I have been in the hospital like 10x in the last 3 years.

My overall experience with medical professionals and diapers has been a good one.