www.incontinentsupport.org

Hello again. I wasn't sure whether to post this here or to start a completely new thread regarding some questions and my experience. After having a pair of absolutely humiliating and volatile days at work regarding my issues, I realized that I likely need to "up" my level of protection. Fortunately, my partner had some briefs, Tranquility brand, and the slimline model, in his garage that belonged to a relative before they passed. This is my first time dealing with "briefs" for a very long time. Anyone with experience with this particular brand? I also have a few questions regarding it, if you would be kind enough to answer.

They're very noisy and like to ride above my waistline. What have been your experiences trying to make the briefs discreet?

I read the primer on putting them on, and it was helpful, but it feels as if its difficult to lower them or take them off to use the toilet, with the brief becoming saggy and uncomfortable or tapes breaking if I try to do so. Considering I still try to make it to the restroom and go rather frequently, How do you manage to get the best fit for normal toilet use in addition to keeping it comfortable? I'd prefer to only use one or two per day, since my issues are light. I do notice that they absorb much better than the realfit or the guards, so I'm more "dry" down there and I don't have that disgusting feeling of dampness. Its only been yesterday evening and today, though. I ask simply to get members experience and advice, in addition to the primer.

Are there any brands out there that aren't as noisy or have so much plastic everywhere? What are you supposed to do with the extra plastic around the legs and waist?

And perhaps most importantly, how do I get the receptionist on the phone to take me seriously to get me an appointment sooner than a month away? The casual disregard of my issues is rather infuriating. I doubt anyone can answer, so this question is more of a vent I suppose. I'm still hoping this will be a temporary thing though, and I'm trying not to feel totally ridiculous and silly about wearing these things. Thank you for reading, and for any responses.

Hello Matthew, I fully understand the rant thing. I just finished my rant a couple weeks ago. My wife and I were attempting to see a new GP when my problems finally came to a head. We had a physician lined up that said she might be able to take us on in Feb. I managed to work myself up to where I was a wreck and called the doctor basically begging her to see me. Her response was "If it's so bad, then go to the emergency room".

I kinda went nuts when I was told that. I took it as an insult. Looking back though I think she was telling me that incontinence isn't that big a deal if you're not experiencing other symptoms like blood in your urine or pain. It might be disastrous to me but no biggie to someone in her profession.

I wonder still, and this could possibly apply to you, maybe you could just go to the emergency room. Explain to them your issues and the extreme anxiety your problem is subjecting you to. I've seen lately that doctors are MUCH more concerned about mental health than they used to be. If you explained that you're a wits end and worried about your well being they would most likely take you very seriously. A referral from the emergency room would get you into a urologist pretty quickly I'd imagine. Anyways, try to hang in there. I imagine there's a bunch here that know how you feel. I think the questions we ask ourselves cause more pain than finding out what the solution will be. Take care, Ted

Matthew, You might check around for a walk-in clinic that's in your med insurance network and near where you live/work. I'm not talking about an ER or Urgent Care facility. Sometimes this type of medical facility is part of a large, full-service medical center, and sometimes they are stand-alone facilities. If you find one and insurance isn't doable but you feel that you absolutely can't wait a month, ask at the get-go for a ballpark estimate of the charges and pay out-of-pocket, if you can do that without a hardship.

Most tape-on diapers are not designed to be pulled up and down, or allow for re-fastening of the tapes. Since your incon is light and the Real-Fit are not working well for you, some of the other brands of disposable absorbent underwear (pull-ups) might work better for you. Depend underwear, Tena for men, and the store brands like Rite Aid aren't cut as trim as the Real-Fit. Pull-ups are designed to be pulled up and down, and they accommodate for use of the toilet well when the wearer can do so.

Wetters

Hey Matthew,

I though I'd throw my 2 cents in. I have moderate to heavy urge/overflow/stress incontinece (never really figured out an exact type) due to an underactive neurgenic bladder. When I had issues, I first started wearing the pullups to avoid wearing the taped diapers. But, I realized quickly that pullups don't have adequate padding coverage, and are loose and itchy. I eventually came to the conclusion that regardless of the level of incontinence, other than very light dribbles, is the adult diaper, aka adult brief. I wear them 24/7. I do have some control, but find that they provide security for when I have episodes where i flood. Some days i have ligth dribbles, some days I have spurts, and then some days I have floods.

In regard to wearing a diaper and using the toilet, the easiest ones to do this with are those with cloth backed and velcro tabs. Tena Ultra is one that I use in my day to day life.


You can find them on amazon for around 35 bucks a case, depedning on your size. If your issues are moderate to heavy, they should work just fine. They are easy to slide up and down, or undo one tab and take it down. It goes without saying that if a person only has urinary incontinence, you would want to necessiarly use the toilet for bowel movements. It would pose difficulties of cleanup odor and immmediate change otherwise. I have occasionalyl dealt with bowel incontience, and it is NOT fun. You might want to try also Tena Stretch super off of www.xpmedical.com.

I hope this helps!

Peace out!

Rob

_________________
"We cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love" Mother Teresa

"THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!" - Captain Picard from Chain of Command, Part II

I have used mainly at night sometimes during the day if I act up. Atn has a large waist. I will tape the top tabs of the diaper right above the padding and then fold down the top over it. When I need to urinate I pull the front down ,similar to what I would do with underwear, and then do my business before pulling the front back up. I don't bother with taping and un taping because most diapers don't do well with this. If you do have to retape. Reinforcing with duct tape helps.

Thank you for your suggestions. I will try getting some samples or small packs of these to try them out. The main reason I went with the Tranquility Slimline diapers is simply because the price was right. (Free). I'm hoping the pullups will do the trick and the fit is good, honestly! Its strange to wear them, but less strange now than before.


Thank you for this suggestion. This has worked pretty well in dealing with the tabs, though I am using the slimline rather than the ATN line, which are cut thinner than the ATN's. (At least I think so according to google.) Untaping and retaping is a futile effort with these for sure.

Thanks for the suggestions regarding Urgent care as well. I've been out of town for the weekend, but I will try and get myself to an urgent care, since I'm starting classes at school again this week. The urgent care facility for my insurance is rather affordable, so it shouldn't be a big problem to use those services instead. Again, I wanted to say thank you for your advice.

Matthew,

Re going to the toilet while wearing a diaper, we all have different methods. To try what I do, rather than pulling the diaper down or untaping it, just pull your penis under a leg gather. There usually is enough slack in a leg gather to make this practical. Use one hand to hold back the leg gather and your other hand for your penis. This method is quick and does not cause the tapes to come undone.

Tranquility Slimline diapers (briefs) are rated for 22 ounces of absorbency. That should be fine for light incontinence. For comparison, the Tranquility ATN (All Through the Night) holds 33 ounces and the bulkier ConfiDry Dry 24/7 holds 90 ounces. The Real-Fit pull-ups hold about 16 ounces.

You asked about making briefs more discreet. Some tricks many of us use are to wear plastic pants over the diaper both to contain any leaks and to reduce sound. Then wear a pair of underpants on top. They certainly will help to quiet things down. Many of us wear a onesie (body suit that snaps at the crotch for ease of changing) to support the weight of a sagging diaper. It also helps to reduce sound.

Good luck.

--John

Matthew, If you want to stick strictly with guards it is hard to beat a baby diaper. They are going to be much cheaper, and will actually work better overall for their weight and size. This goes the same for boosters in a diaper too.

Thank you for your thoughts. I actually wound up just using the adult briefs instead of the guards or pull-ups. The briefs, while they have their issues, have been nothing short of a godsend as far as keeping me dry, and generally more comfortable than guards / pull-ups. I've tried a couple other brands (The tena ultra that was recommended), and while I like those a lot better, I don't want the tranquility ones to go to waste.

JD, you must be quite...uh..blessed! I'm still working on discretion, but I'm noticing that no one has noticed or said anything about it besides my partner being paranoid and concerned. I unfortunately started classes so haven't been able to make it to a hospital to get treatment. However, I've noticed its a day by day kind of thing. Some days are good, some days are bad in regards to urgency and leakage. I had a couple bad days with large surges, some with small or almost none at all. Its hard to deal with it with it being so unpredictable. I do hope the doctor can do something regarding the frequency though.

Again, thanks!

Hi Matthew

Glad you have decided on proper protection until you see your doctors and urologist, your right bladder issues can be so unpredictable. Try not to delay getting into see your doctor.