www.incontinentsupport.org

Some random comments on incontinence and cloth diapers.
I am in my early sixties now and was born with a Neurogenic bladder, I wore diapers full time until I gained daytime control at eleven years old and I have always worn night diapers.

A few years back I developed diabetes type 2 and about three or four years ago it destroyed the nerves controlling my bladder so now I’m back in diapers full time. Obviously I was raised in cloth diapers and plastic pants as there were no disposables back then.
I see posts all the time extolling the virtues of either disposable or cloth diapers. My feeling is that what works well for one does not necessarily work well for another.

There are those that use cloth exclusively and others like myself that use a mix of both and still others that go with disposables full time and again it’s what works for that person.

I go with cloth at home and disposables when out only because it’s not easy to change a cloth diaper in a public restroom. I find disposables to be hot ,sticky hard on my skin and just plain miserable to wear not to mention the leakage problems they have. I have tried most every disposable on the market and find all of them irritating to wear and prone to leakage. Yes I have tried the Abri forms and while they don’t tend to leak as much the problem I have with them is they won’t stay up when wet. Regardless of how I tape them or how snug a fit I make it they always work there way down when wet. I drink lots of fluids because of my diabetes and because I have some heart issues I have to take a diuretic and so I wet heavily and always have a problem with disposables causing squeeze out leaks when sitting down.

With cloth diapers I find them to be very comfortable and cool in hot weather even with plastic pants on over them and I never have any problems with leakage and I’m a side sleeper so that’s saying something not to mention my skin does much better in them. I guess because I was raised in them and have worn them all my life may be why I find them the most suitable for me.
With people newly incontinent it’s hard enough to accept the fact that it has happened to you and having to use either diapers or caths I’m sure. And the idea of cloth diapers and plastic pants seem so over the top they won’t even consider it. Most incontinents after weeks or months of frustration with the disposable products leaking and feeling miserable will start looking for something else and a few of them will end up trying cloth diapers. Some will find them ideal for there needs and others will not, again it depends on the person.
Becoming incontinent is a bummer for sure but you have to play the hand your dealt. After a while you’ll give no more thought to changing your diaper than you do to changing your shirt now. Trust me your much better off now with all the incontinence products available to you that are easy to conceal then when I was young and there were only cloth diapers available.
The ones I feel sorry for is the kids that have incontinence issues, I remember all the teasing and ridicule I had to put up with as a child and in school. I got jumped out on the playground in second grade and they pulled my pants off and threw them up in a tree leaving me standing there in front of the whole school with a diaper and plastic pants on. It’s very common to see kids wearing backpacks to school now since the schools did away with lockers but when I was in school nobody carried a pack except me because that was the only way to carry my changes with me. I guess I was a trend setter and didn’t even know it.

To those who are new to this just hang in there and it will get easier trust me. Think of it this way, sure it sucks but would you trade you control problems for a ventilator or a wheel chair? I doubt it so don’t let it ruin your life and don’t let it turn you into a hermit either.

I just read your post and came to the site so late because of my experience tonight. I cannot imagine the stuff you had to go through as a child. It is bad enough as an adult. I just had a little "emergency" at had to stop at a Walgreens during a drive home. When I came in I was searching the aisle, and ended up buying the only thing in stock, everyone's least favorite underwear. I'll bet you know the brand. Some teenagers came in and I heard them giggling and tried to walk around the store until they left. Apparently, they got a big kick out of someone shopping a certain aisle and decided to hang around. I tried to quickly go to the register and grab some other purchases to make it more discreet. It didn't work because they insisted on standing right behind me trying to surpress their laughter. While I realize it is only immaturity I am so fed up that I may be done talking about this. This is the second time this has happened. It was pretty late at night, isn't there a curfew for these kids?

Well Said, Boomer!
I agree with you 100%. When I look at what other people who have a disability a lot worse than mine, I just count myself lucky to have my basic health. A diaper is so small compared to what other people have to put up with. ...................Paul Martin

LtsofQues,
It saddens me to read your post about people who snicker at someone buying incontinent supplies. Fortunately for me, I've never had any of that, but have had people sort of look at me. Most people should know it's best just to look the other way, but there are those few who will make you wish you weren't there. .....................Paul Martin

Thanks Paul. I don't understand why anyone would be looking either. It's weird and rude too. You and Sandy have been a trmendous help and I appreciate all the advice.

Hi all Boomer you and I are about the same age and yes my incontinence started a few yrs ago due to bph.I 'am sure glad it wasn't when you started with hardly any products to choise from.I'am still kicking the ideal of cloth any advice?

For my money you can't beat cloth for comfort,absorbency,leakage protection and skin health and oh did I mention comfort? And your right it wasn't much fun growing up with all the teasing and ridicule.

"Skin Health" I never really thought about Shin Health with cloth I always feel much more wet in cloth?..................Sandy

When I am away from the house on a trip or a long ride and use disposables my skin really pays a price especially in hot weather. With cloth diapers at home I never have any problems. A trick I use in hot weather during the day is to use snap on pants from KINS,they have 5 snaps on each side and I leave the three in the middle undone so I get some air flow thru them for cooling but they still keep my pants dry when walking or standing or sitting.

Boomer,
You're right about the snap on plastic pants. Not only can you change your plastic pants if you want to keep your pants on, you get the great ventilation so your skin can breath. I need to get myself some more snap-ons! ....................Paul Martin