adult diapers?

I was wondering if any of you wear adult-diapers during flare-ups - I have a real problem holding it in when things are bad; thought maybe wearing a diaper would make it possible to get through a major portion of the day w/o soiling myself.  Unfortunatley when i'm having a flare-up, I go through a package of underwear a week easily from not being able to make it.. it's frustrating and humiliating when in public areas.

If anyone has recommendations on products and where to find them.. please respond - thanks!
John

These products are readily available in your local drugstore and you will probably find an entire aisle dedicated to a variety of styles. I never used them although I do remember the humiliation of the loss of control.

Sue

A commonly sold brand is Depends-- you want the "extra-absorbency" as "regular" would not be thick enough. They are sold in most of the chain drugstores. No problem wearing them in cooler seasons especially. In hot weather they do make you sweat more-- but they're definitely a safeguard to your underwear & clothing. They also give you a bit more time to find a john when you're feeling desperate! / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC; currently on 3 Colazal daily for maintenance of remission)

The undergarments with extra padding should not leak initially, but if they do get soiled, you would want to clean your skin & change within the hour to avoid further problems, such as odor, leaking, or skin irritation-- as with babies (diaper rash, etc.). You'll have to figure out what you require as to "spares" & how best to carry them along wherever you're headed. Some members here also report that they carry a supply of moist wipes with them, too, to expedite clean-up while out & about. Tucks Take-Alongs can be useful. / Old Hat

"Gross" is indeed the word, but we have to learn how best to deal with these situations, especially if we're self-supporting. The Depends-type disposables don't show as long as you're not wearing form-fitting clothes-- which are uncomfortable, anyway, when flaring. They sure beat trying to wash bloody mucus out of your underwear! It's like glue! I found that 1st one has to soak in cold water to get rid of the blood stains, then in hot soapy water to dissolve the mucus: yecccchhhhh! / Old Hat

I have considered trying them - but my biggest hesitation is that I would start to rely on them so much, become used to them, and really loose my drive for bowel control... I am also concerned about odor. Lets face it - UC produces some of the most foul smelling goop I have ever experienced! I cant imagine walking around with it smeared all over my bottom side. The smell has to leak out.

I am sticking to my mental games for now - neurotically searching for nearby restrooms, or convenient spots along the highway to pull off.. Last resort I may try some garments, but I am not sure I want to head down that path at this point.

MBX5-- you won't rely on them too much. They are not an addiction, just a safeguard for your clothes & dignity. They cost money, which we all would rather spend otherwise-- that's a deterrent. They would likely help your fight for bowel control because they give you a chance to practice it while looking for the nearest rest room. Think of them as a safety net. / Old Hat

My husband was at the point when he was housebound and would not go out due to the urgency and frequency and not having enough control and needing the bathroom immediately if not sooner.

However there was a Dr appt that he needed to keep and he was frightened and anxious that day and asked me to go to the drugstore and buy him some Depends or whatever so he could take the pressure off his mind if there was an accident.

First and foremost (I wrote about this before) I was so proud that he asked me to do that...I had thought about suggesting it but was concerned for him that he would be embarrased or make him feel like he was less of a man....I was so concerned that it was a very touchy subject area that I didn't want to add to his anxiety or depression. It made all the difference in the world for him to ask me first so I wasn't in the awkward position and maybe having an argument ensue over it. He was perfectly ok with it and the reality of what would he prefer - crap his BVD's or at least have an undergarment made to deal with this and protect him momentarily.

He used them that day and 3 times afterwards until the self control issue was under better control. Fortunately he never had a full blown episode but did have some staining and was grateful he had those on instead of regular BVD's. I thought they would be bulky and puffy looking under his pants/shorts and they were not. I also thought they might make noise like babies rubber pants and they do not.

The type I got was SERENITY Tena Underwear Super Plus - size ,large 37-50" waist - the pkg says discreet and comfortable bladder protection - they pull on with elastic waist and elastic legs. Now maybe this type is not the best if there is concern for heavier protection. These are probably more for staining and a little leakage. That being said it would be better to go for the heavier protection type if flaring seriously.

You can even order online by the case once you find the brand and type you like if you want to avoid purchasing personally.

The day I went - I was amazed at the number of choices at Walgreens - here I am studying them and trying to decide and OF COURSE someone I know came up to me and started chatting and I had so little time as he needed to be brought to the Dr. so in retrospect I probably didn't really get the right ones. They happened to be the right ones for him as he had for the most part control but if he had a full blown accident maybe they are not heavy duty enough.

We have 10 of the 14 left but they are there and if he gets the feeling it might be a very long day outdoors and limited access to restrooms I know he won't hesitate to use one for peace of mind when he has control issues again.

I am happy you are asking here for advice. Many have written before that they have "survival type kits" on hand to deal with the possibility of accidents and needing to be able to clean up after and clean fresh items to change back in to. I had a small tote bag in the trunk for awhile too after reading that suggestion and that was also a weight lifted to know it was there if needed.

Too bad we have to live our lives this way - but it is so much smarter to be prepared. Most times just having a contingency plan like that in place takes alot of the anxiousness out of the situation too.

Good Luck!

I use depends and pads....carry underwear and wipes in my purse etc.

I ran across a website in England that sells regular undies for men and women that is lined. The site is:


www.myshreddies.com

I've bought them. I've worn them on a handful of "high risk" occasions. I have the tena super absorbency ones. They are not a fail safe but I think they'd buy me more time in case of a soiling. If soiled you'd definitely have to find a washroom and clean up immediately. These incontinence products really seem to be made for urine. I doubt any of them would be able to conceal a "full load" but they can definitely take the mucous or small explosions. They conceal easily under pants. I recently took a vacation and packed a few in my carry on and checked baggage, just in case. Planes are scary and bathroom access is limited. I also wore-and soiled- a pair while undergoing an MRI. That prep rocketed through me-and I was strapped down in an MRI tube!!!! Anyway, they're worth it, piece of mind.

I was initially afraid to buy them, but then I just had to get over myself. I marched in to the drugstore, head held high and bought them. I don't know if the cashier thought they were for me or not-and truthfully? I don't care!

For odor: There is a product called urine off that I keep in my car in case I nail my car seat.


There is a laundry pretreat version:
http://www.northshorecare.com/browse-brands/urine-off/urine-off-eldercare-laundry-pre-treat.html

and a multipurpose one:
http://www.northshorecare.com/urine-off-multi-purpose-odor-and-stain-remover.html

I stopped wearing diapers and just change my clothes. I do think there is something psychological about wearing diapers that might cause more accidents but maybe that is just me.

I haven't needed them but if I did, I'd buy them off Amazon.