www.incontinentsupport.org

I know this is an old post but if you want to find any diaper that is va approved here is the link of every approved diapers all you need to do is click on the one you want print it out and bring it to your doctor just and FYI. Like anything you have to educate your self

http://www1.va.gov/nac/dsp_search_medsu ... archresult

That's called the formulary list. It's made up mostly of the cheaper brands. If they don't work for you, you'll have to turn to the non formulary items like Abena and Dry care. They are acquired through the channels described above.

Don,

I didn't know there was 2 lists I didn't have time to go all 40 pages. I found the molicare and figured that was the best that I found and was goign to go from there. I am going to see my Doc in the morning and Hope all goes well. It gets me that you serve you country and you have to fight tooth and nail to get what is yours. I didn't mean to step on any toes with my post I just thought that list may help someone. I do appreciate the info on the Abena's though. I have tried them and I don't need that kind of product all the time but it is good to know just in case i ever do.

Hey Marine,
You're not stepping on any toes. My posts are short because I have no computer and work off my iPhone. We enjoy helping people here. Or we wouldn't be here. It's all a learning experience. Each VA pharmacy works the items they can get off the formulary first. That's what you found. I've never actually seen the list so good on you. When you request a non formulary item like Abena or dry care diapers, you have to get a doctors prescription. They're going to want you to try the cheap stuff first. Like depend and wings. We all know those are far from quality. I prefer Molicare super plus. But I used Abena extra and xplus for years. I had to complain to the patient advocate that I was depressed and the diapers the VA was giving to me were embarrassing me and not allowing me to live a high quality of life. The patient advocate got with the head of pharmacy who contacted me about the non formulary request. I gave her the name of the company and the organized a vendor number and xpmedical became an approved supplier. I did this same thing with Easy Access Clothing. They are also an approved vendor. But that's a little more complicated. Only because you have to go through prosthetics not pharmacy. Diapers are pharmacy. Anyway, the head of pharmacy spearheaded my approval. I wrote her a business letter describing what I needed and why. She agreed I needed something more absorbent with my complete incontinence. Diapers aren't the only thing you can get from the VA, I get devrom, and bodysuits/concealors, and diaper rash cream too. You just have to ask them. If your doctor doesn't know, call the pharmacy chief.

Semper Fi!

Sgt. "Don", USMC (Ret.)
03-09

P.S. johnstone is another knowledgable guy in this process. He's former Army and is in the SCI clinic. My issues are mental health.

Please allow me to chime in here. Thank you for the product list 03jarhead, but I am sorry to hear your like Don,......another Marine. It's true, I am a Army guy, and my injury is not service connected. Don't be offended, as one vet to another, thank you for your service. I have a L5/S1 spine injury that causes me to have many issues including bladder, and bowel incon. There are a few other vets that are active in this support group so there are several of us vets that use the VA for all our medical needs so you will fit right in with this group. We exchange a lot of information about the VA, and all the medical coverage we receive.

I knew the product list you posted existed,.... I just never saw it before. I've always wanted to see the same list the VA pharmacist was looking at, and being able to review the list you provided answered a few questions I had. One of the items I've been trying to get my local pharmacy to provided me with is a skin paste (Remedy Calazime protectant paste), and the only thing they gave me was a cream that I found on the list you provided. The item I want is not on the list so now I know this would be a non-formulary purchase if the VA is going to provided me with this item. I found the list your posted to be very helpful because it provided a list of all incon products available from the pharmacy without having to go to a non-formulary purchase which is something every VA pharmacy would rather avoid if possible.

Many vets don't know that if they need a product that is not available (item not found on the list you provided), they think that's it. They don't know the VA pharmacy can make a special purchase for any item(s) needed. For those that don't know, this is known as a "non-formulary" special purchase. it goes without saying, the VA would prefer not to make any special purchases, but it does happen. My local pharmacy buys me the Abena products, and for a short time, they also were providing me with the Dry 24/7 diapers for night use. Not ever one needs these products so it's great that your able to make use of the products immediately available without having to have your local pharmacy make a special purchase. Just keep it in mind that if there is any product you need, that product can be obtained by your pharmacy but it does require a item brand specific Rx from a doc before a pharmacy will make a special non-formulary purchase.


Thanks again for the list you posted. I found it to be very useful

The list that was posted isn't a formulary list. It's a VA Contract list. Any VA or DoD facility can (and in most cases, must) order from it. I was a Purchasing Agent for the Navy for 13 years, and got used to seeing these things every day. Computers were just starting to enter my workplace as I was leaving. In fact, that was the last thing I ordered - $40,000 worth of computer equipment!

Hi all, my name is Joe. I'm new here. I am a veteran combat medic, just got out about a year ago.

I have noticed over time some things that I've been dealing with but I haven't been successful in seeing a doctor about much of anything. So, I just deal with it. Probably some of that is my fault too. For example, I was frustrated with the most recent doctor who seemed burned out (as it seems many in the VA are), and the medication I was on for depression wasn't working. I was better without it, so I stopped taking it and never went back. I've isolated myself a good bit, but I'm back in school now which forces me to be more social.

Just the thought of having to depend on the VA for an issue I'm having is enough reason for me to deal with it on my own. But, I read somewhere that urine retention may cause kidney damage. I don't even know if that's what I'm dealing with, but the question is there. While I was still in the army, I asked our PA about what could be going on and she told me being in combat situations, sometimes you have to hold your urine longer, etc, and I don't know, we guys took care of things in bottles if we had to... But that was the end of that conversation. Then when I was getting out of the army, I was sent to the VA for an exam regarding disability compensation. I mention it again when asked regarding other conditions, but I just got a puzzling look and another response similar to before. I didn't push the issue tho.

Maybe it's not even that bad, and I'm clueless. For example, if I urinate while standing, thinking I'm finished and then find out I wasn't finished, I end up with urine down my leg and a wet spot on my pants. It's normal, I'm told. So I sit down to pee now, and it seems this has fixed that issue. I have to strain to get everything out. And the other thing is that every now and then, the urge to pee hits and it's a rush to get things taken care of. I think the part that bothers me most tho is the idea of the retention and straining to pee while sitting. That doesn't seem normal to me.

And then, the idea of having to deal with this, if I have to, makes me want to just deal with it on my own. Am I overreacting? I feel a little embarrassed to even ask...

Great information in this thread.

Best regards,
Joe

Joe,

From what you've said, it sounds to me as though you really do have a problem that needs to be dealt with. In my opinion, you need to be examined by a urologist. Whether you need to do that through the VA or privately is hard for me to judge. I'm Canadian, and we have a completely different medical system.

Welcome to the forum Joe, I second that opinion, see a Uro and get a look over to see if they can find out exactly what is going on, better safe then sorry. Most guys have that "afterward drip" thing to deal with to some degree, I use a guard to keep the shorts dry, easier and no real odor to worry about as it is easy enough to change out if needed. Hope you get some answers to your concerns, Puffy

_________________
Puffy
BC, Canada
Fighting the "Bladder Battle" since 1995

Welcome Joe.

I, as well as a few others on this forum are Veterans dealing with the VA. If I can tell you one thing that will make the difference in your health when dealing with the VA it will be this:

"You are your best healthcare advocate!"

If you don't push the VA to look into your issue seriously they will blow you off. I had a neurologist blow me off telling me the severe pain I was feeling was all in my head. The VA labelled me as a drug seeker and I had to turn to a private doctor to take me seriously. 5 hours of surgery and a several months of recovery proved him wrong. Now I can't walk without help of crutches and leg braces. I use a wheelchair for longer distances.

Take charge of your own care with the VA and don't let them ignore you. Talk to a patient advocate if you need to push a doctor to take you seriously.

_________________
When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade.