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Coping with and Managing Incontinence

Dealing with Incontinence can be an emotional, physical and financial struggle. I wanted to share some things I have learned over the years with others to support my community, spread awareness and educate.

1 in 15 Americans deals with a form of incontinence. Alot of negative feelings can come with the realization or diagnosis of incontinence. First, and most importantly you need to know you are not alone and you have done nothing wrong. Incontinence is sometimes treatable and if not, it is definitely manageable!!!

Most people get toilet trained at an early age and never think of potentially having to deal with issues later like dribbling when they cough or sneeze, getting a sudden urge and not making it, wetting the bed or even not getting the signal that you need to go at all. Often, this comes with embaressment due to the stigma and lack of awareness for these types of problems. Accepting that this is a problem and that it is not your fault is the first step, we need to accept this so we can seek help from our providers, make a plan or find management that works!

Talking to your Doctor

Talking to your health care professional about your problem is very important, but in fact surveys show that only 20% of people living with a form of incontinence report it to a doctor, and most reported cases of incontinence are people who have dealt with it for 7 years or more before mentioning it. Doctors see tons of patients and others with this condition and will not judge you or be cruel. When discussing this with your doctor be prepared to answer some potentially uncomfortable questions, bring a notebook with any questions you may have, keep a bladder diary leading up to the appointment.

Privacy and Independence

Loss of privacy and Independence is one of the hardest things to accept. Going to the bathroom is usally a very private thing. Depending on the type of incontinence and the condition of the person dealing with it sometimes help is neccessary which can feel dehumanizing, can cause a loss of dignity and a feeling of dependence. This is okay and is honestly normal. Waking up with a partner in wet sheets, needing help wiping or changing protection, needing reminders to go or assistance getting there or even needing to use a bedside cammode all means compromising privacy, make sure you communicate with your loved ones or caregivers about how this makes you feel and how you can become more comfortable goes a long way. Some boundaries I asserted to maintain my privacy are:

-When using a bedside cammode I have a lap blanket so I am not exposed, it gets cleaned often so as to keep the environment more normal and sanitary feeling and I can sit there by myself until I need help wiping or transferring back to bed.

-When I need assistance changing my protection not making eye contact during it helped, we make random conversation during it so it is not awkward and if I feel I can help or do it on my own I do.

-Checks or questions about the current condition of my protection are to always happen in private, never in front of company and never assume another person knows. Even if you know another person knows do not ask me in front of others.

Equipment/ Protection

There are alot of things available for now for people with incontinence and what works for you depends totally on your type of incontinence as well as your physical limitations.

Bedside Cammodes- This can be great for someone with urge or functional incontinence. Having one right by the bed or your favorite chair means you dont need as much time to get to the bathroom, it is also easier to get to than to get all the way to a bathroom for someone with physical limitations.

Bed Pans/Bed urinals- This can be handy for someone who knows when they need to go but cannot make it to the bathroom due to injury or being bedridden.

Pads, Underwear, Briefs- Absorbent protection comes in all types of absorbency levels ranging from pads for dribbles to underwear for the occasional light or mild accident to super absorbent underwear or briefs for moderate to severe accidents. Plastic backed briefs or plastic pants/covers can help minimize odor from bowel incontinence as well.

Bed pads/waterproof covers- This can help save furniture and matresses from unavoidable leaks, matress covers also help prevent the smell of urine that builds overtime with long term bedwetting.

Catheters- this is something that should be prescribed by a medical professional if needed, there are various types and sizes and collection systems.

I honestly use most of these things pending my situation. I have no bladder control as I do not get ques to go and I have loss of some bowel control. I use underwear at home on good days when I can manage my protection on my own but I use briefs overnight and for long car rides or outtings. I use a bedside cammode when needed to move my bowels as I struggle to get to the toilet on time due to my own physical limitations. I cath before bed or intercourse to minimize leaking and when I have skin breakdown, bed sores or changes are difficult due to my joint subluxations my dr will put in an indwelling foley catheter.

What you use needs to be comfortable and right for you but it can help you gain back some independence and help minimize the exposure of your condition to people you do not want knowing, if you have an accident without protection everyone sees it, if you have one with protection you just gotta clean up. Honestly finding protection that worked for me gave me my life back.

Traveling With Incontinence

This can be difficult for some people and honestly can deter many people from traveling. Here are some tips ive learned in my experience:

1. Carry a go bag. I keep a bag with extra protection, a spare change of clothes and wipes in my vehichle at all times. So if I am ever blindsided I am prepared.

2. On car rides plan on extra time to stop if you need it.

3. In a car, if comfortable, on long drives (cross country trips a couple of times) I have used external catheters or foleys with a perscription when changes would be difficult.

4. When traveling by plane, protective garments can take up quite a bit of space in luggage and add to the weight. I order supplies to or send some to my destination so it will be there when I arrive and I can have all of my suitcase room.

5. Ask a flight attendant for a seat close to the bathroom, if you ask before boarding and explain you have a medical condition most of the time they are more than willing to accamodate.

6. Handicapped bathrooms and family facilities provide more space and privacy and are usually kept cleaner, this usually makes them safer for catheterization and garment changes.

Hospital Admittance with Incontinence

1. While your incontinence may be documented somewhere on your chart, if it is not what you are currently being seen for more often than not the staff and healthcare providers will have no idea. You should share this information with a nurse or Dr. when you get admitted so they do not find out later when you need assistance and they did not know.

2. If you need help managing your incontinence while inpatient it is your responsibility to let them know that and assert your needs.

3. Bring your own protection. While hospitals do carry briefs and pads what they have may not be what works for you.

4. The curtain around your bed is for you for your privacy, do not be afraid to use it or ask someone to draw it for you during changes (wether independent or assisted) or use of bedside cammodes or urinals.

5. If an accident occurs let staff know strait away, staying in soiled sheets or clothes can cause damge to your skin and infections.

6. If your needs are not being met or you feel you cannot bring them up on your own, ask for a patient advocate.

Skincare

Alot of skin problems can come with Incontinence ranging from chaffing, rashes and infections to bedsores.

1. Change as soon as you can after an accident.

2. Using absorbent protection can help pull the moisture away from your skin.

3. Make sure your skin is completely dry before putting on fresh protection. Pat dry instead of rubbing.

4. Be careful of what you put on your skin. Ointments and barrier creams can be helpful but some things advertised for cleaning those areas can actually be harmful and cause further skin breakdown, if you are unsure, as your doctor or urologist.

I hope this post was helpful. I am kind of wanting to do a series of posts with tips and education on things I have experienced to share with others in support and awareness. Please do not be afraid to reblogg this with some of your own added tips!!!!