Slomo

Resurrecting my old thread. My right knee has failed again, and it's back to hurting with instability. I've been following up with my old surgeon and he referred me to another specialist that does revisions. This one is going to rip out my old knee and put in an upgrade. I'm already scheduled for it in July, and of course will be bringing my own diapers with me.

Been there, done that. 1 being no control through 10 being full control, right? Look at it like this. Out of every 10 days, how many days do you have even minor bowel problems. That number is your 1-10.

Ha, them and every other penny-pincher that says which diapers will be supplied for which organization.

I've already talked to my primary doctor at the VA (she'sbeen there a while), and made a complaint about the lack of quality diapers with a social worker there too. It just doesn't seem to be possible to get anything decent through them.

For EAST coast veterans. Has anyone ever gotten decent diapers from the VA? And if so, how? I've tried a few times over the years, but have always been told I can only get what their pharmacy dispenses. I can get them easy enough, but what they have is all medical-grade crap you can't pay me to use. Please note. I am aware the WEST coast VA does allow for drop shipping via outside vendors. Unfortunately that is under a different contract, so it does me no good.

Adding to this. It seems to me all the major manufacturers of high capacity diapers are just re-hashes to the same old design. First it was a cloth-like outer layer, then more different prints, and then positional printing. And none of these "improvements" have changed the core functionality or fit. Why don't manufacturers want to stand out? To be know for having a great fit? And not just for a thicker high capacity or yet another print?

Does anyone else remember the old 6-tapes Depends or Attends? Their absorption was mediocre, but they always fit me perfectly. I never remember them sagging when wet, chaffing/rubbing too much, or comming loose. And they wouldn't leak untill thoroughly wet and/or I flooded them. So that got me wondering. With so many high capacity, and now super high capacity, diapers out there. Why don't any of them have a 6-tape design? One of their major flaws is they sag horribly when they get wet enough. And of course leak long before reaching even 1/3 of their rated capacity. So, wouldn't it just make sense their next improvement should be the addition of those tapes?

I was given an easy strengthening excercise, one you can do anywhere. Just clench you sphincter muscle as tight as you can, and hold it for 30 seconds. It's surprisingly harder than it sounds, and quite effective too.

That's good. I personally didn't find it uncomfortable at all. Was anything immediately noticable to you? Sometimes you don't really have to wait for the results to have a good idea of it.

Well it sounds like you're doing all the basic stuff right. Using better performing diapers that have a good acquisition layer and SAP. And also using wipes and barrier cream too. How often do you shower too? And how long have you had it? And lastly, have you considered it's not a rash, but a fungal infection instead? If not, go to the pharmacy and get some spray/cream for jock itch or athletes foot. Like Dr.Schols, lotramin, zeasorb, or even a store brand. If it doesn't start to noticably clear up in a couple of days with that, then it's time to see the doctor.

HA, that sounds more like she was talking about some new medication.

Not as contradicting as you think. Yeah she is advocating for the test, and yeah you're not going to like it. Both are true. In my experience, it's better to just go through with it. Because if you don't then the doctor will get hung up on not having the results. And then your treatment and diagnosis will stagnate.

I have, but your exact underlying condition will affect how well the botox will work (or not). What is your diagnosis, and what exactly is your urologist trying to treat for? For me, I had severe urge incontinence and neurogenic sphincters (both internal and external). Basically, I'd get a sudden and painful need to pee but when I tried to relax to go my sphincters would clamp shut instead. Resulting in my having to push and strain against much pain, for even a weak stream. So my urologist first tried botox in my bladder wall to try and reduce my urges and give me time to pee. It did greatly reduce my urges, but deadened my bladder muscles so much I had an even harder time straining to go. I ended up catheterized for 3 months before it wore off. A second round of botox was then used on my external sphincter. Except that one made my sphincter even less responsive to my urges, so once again I was catheterized for another 3 months. Ultimately, my solution was a series of sphincterotomy surgeries. Each surgery opened up one of my muscles just a little more. It took 3 to blow away my external muscle and permanently open it up. And at least 3 more for the same to my internal sphincter. Plus a bunch more for strictures that formed from all the sphincterotomies. Which also ended up including surgeries for removing my prostrate and an inch of my urethra to really remove the strictures. 15 surgeries in total, over a year and a half! But hey, I now constantly drip pee without any urges, straining or pain. Don't let me dissuade you from botox though. I've heard plenty of success stories with it. It normally does fairly good to reduce urges, and/or to make it easier to pee. Though do take note, it often will not be a complete fix and only helps to reduce symptoms. It only works for about 3 months, so repeat treatments will be needed. And the body adapts to botox, so each treatment will be less effective than the last. Try it, but consider it a short term solution. And even if it does work, keep searching for a long term solution.

Bummer. You don't normally get that, do you? And hopefully it was one of those "thank goodness I was already wearing a diaper" moments. I've had episodes like that myself. Usually from eating something that didn't agree with me, or being sick. Any idea what caused it for you?

Unfortunately, needing to rush to the bathroom like that can hit anyone, no matter how healthy their lifestyle may be. It's interesting Northshore picked it up so quickly, but he is a high profile celebrity.