incontinence question

wildmountainchild · Feb 28, 2008

I imagine that you leak lying down b/c the urine has a chance to leak out the top of the attends. Gravity is pulling in a different direction when you lie down. Maybe you could get your hands on some chucks. They are absorbent pads that have a plastic backing on one side. We use them often in the hospital for incontinent patients. Place them under your body but over the bedsheets from your waist to your mid thighs. It should help with the clean up of your wet sheets at least.

Have you considered using a condom catheter at night? It fits onto the member just like a condom except it has a tube and a bag attached to collect urine. The risk of getting a urinary tract infection is much less that with a foley catheter that goes into the urethra. Adhesive is used to help keep the condom in place. There are various sizes and they are sized for non-erect memberes.

I can't recommend any other adult incontinence aids as I don't have much experience. Good luck though, hopefully someone else can help you more.

poodleH · Feb 28, 2008

Hello Someguygoblue32, I totally agree with the last post. I work in a nursing home and we us uridomes (condom cathetar). They are much healthier than permanent cathetars. I am sorry to hear you have troubles with helpers. Unfortunately no shows are becoming more common in the health industry. :typing

someguygoblue32 · Feb 28, 2008

I wear briefs because I have bowel movements too. I watch out for UTIs. I make sure my aides wash me up really well when they change me. I will try to get chucks. That sounds like it might be good for me.

Luckily, I have not had any problems with infections or rashes. I have total feeling too, and have noticed that once I am wet, it pulls it away so I don't feel wet for long. I can also go 2-3 times without leaking if I am in my chair. Sounds like changing brands won't help, but there is one thing that I don't understand. I lie on my stomach, so how is it leaking out of the top? Wouldn't the flow go down? I would understand if I was on my back.

squeakykitty · Feb 28, 2008

I wear briefs because I have bowel movements too. I watch out for UTIs. I make sure my aides wash me up really well when they change me. I will try to get chucks. That sounds like it might be good for me.
Luckily, I have not had any problems with infections or rashes. I have total feeling too, and have noticed that once I am wet, it pulls it away so I don't feel wet for long. I can also go 2-3 times without leaking if I am in my chair. Sounds like changing brands won't help, but there is one thing that I don't understand. I lie on my stomach, so how is it leaking out of the top? Wouldn't the flow go down? I would understand if I was on my back.

It may be leaking out the sides, especially if you are laying on your side. Also, if you are having problems with the aides not showing up, can you report them to the home health agency, or switch agencies?

someguygoblue32 · Feb 29, 2008

OK, I guess I need to clarify some things. I actually have a good group of aides right now. But, one of my aides recommended I start wearing Attends to guard against times whem there are no-shows and times when they are late. I set up my visits so I can go to the bathroom when I have to. However, there are times when I have to go before the visit. We aren't talking about holding it for long stretches. My visits are scheduled so I don't have to do that. I don't have problems holding either. Basically, my system is used to being able to go at certain times,

My aide suggested I try diapers and see what I thought. Here's what I found out; they are nice to have. I shyed away from something like this n the past because I wanted to be normal. My friends are cool with helping me in the bathroom when we are out. I need help with the transfer in the bathroom.

I found out Attends gives me freedom and independence. I am an adult now. I don't care about what is normal. I care about what makes life easier. That is wearing briefs. Now, if I have to go well before a scheduled visit, or someone doesn't show up (again, no shows not a problem right now), I am covered.

I am just very frustrated though that in the Attends Classic 10 I found a brief that does not leak while I am in my chair, and now that brief is off the market.

OK, so now you guys know the whole story. Any advice from here?

squeakykitty · Feb 29, 2008

Is there any way you can write the company and ask them about the Attends classic 10, whether there is a substitute that may work?

someguygoblue32 · Mar 1, 2008

The thing is the Attends Classic 10 (their most absorbent product) was replaced by Attends Breathable (now their most absorbent). It is cloth. I hate cloth. It is not absorbent enough. Most of the time with the Classic 10, I can go 2-3 times before I get changed again, without feeling wet or leaking. The same is true with a BM. It holds it.

Have any of you used the Breathable on a patient? Thanks.

casi, ASN, RN · Mar 1, 2008

What about putting poise pads or something simular in a less aborbant brief that you like? I've done this with quite a few people and it adds to the absobancy of the brief.

Otherwise for night maybe try the diaper style/tape briefs. I've used the Tena brand on a lot of people and they are very absobant. I've noticed a lot of men leak through briefs at night. A lot of this has to do with gravity and the positioning of the member.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Mar 1, 2008

Another thing to try is using a male incontinence pad, e.g. Tena Guards for Men, inside the brief; this provides extra protection without adding to the bulk or increasing perspiration, which can lead to skin rashes and breakdown.

someguygoblue32 · Mar 1, 2008

Only briefs (not pads) are covered by my insurance.

someguygoblue32 · Mar 1, 2008

I'm going to try the Tena and get some chucks. And I have tried to stay pointed down. Sometimes it is hard when you have worn underwear for 30 years, and all the sudden you have something against that area 24/7. You guys are really helping me. Thank you.