John Davis

Slomo, that's right.  I had an imaging tech tell me the same thing.  the last thing they want is to have a mess on the imaging table.

--John

Hello and welcome bedwettersteve.  Your username tells us a lot.  Please tell us some more about yourself.

--John

Slomo made a good point about waist elastics being functional for those who pull the diaper down to sit on the toilet and then pull the diaper back up again.  As that rarely is an option for me, I overlooked it.

I fully agree re needing more colors.  Sterile medical white is boring.  I doubt that colors add significantly to the cost of a diaper.  I think that blue can be the "stealth" color if we wear jeans.  If the diaper sticks out above the jeans' waistband, the diaper really is not recognizable as a diaper to the general public.

Nonetheless, most diaper manufacturers are afraid to leave off any features that appear on their competitor's diapers.

--John

What do we really need in a diaper?  What is essential?  There is a trend among the manufacturers of premium quality diapers to put every feature on they can think of.  Of course, all of that adds to the price of the diaper.

Do we really need a wetness indicator?  When these began, they were intended for caregivers, not for the wearer.  After all, we can just reach down and determine how wet our diaper is.

What about elastic waistbands?  I would opine that most of us stretch the waistbands out when we fasten the wings of the diaper.  The elastic is barely functional.

Internal standing leak guards - they are optional for those who dribble and change frequently but are essential for most of us with OAB and all of us where are fecal incontinent.

Good tapes - got to have them.  I have never seen a diaper where I criticized the tapes for working too well.

Leg elastics - we need good ones that are truly functional.  I have worn many less expensive diapers where the leg elastics just did not work as they were too loose.

Good backing material is essential.  Must not tear, rip, or suffer pinhole defects.

Absorbency must meet your needs.  This includes not only total absorbency, but also the rate of absorbency.  Don't forget second and third wettings.

Front plastic taping zones may be controversial.  I hate them as I don't need them.  They interfere with how I want to tape my diaper.  I tape my diapers once and the tape stays in place until I discard the diaper.

What have I overlooked?  What are your thoughts?

--John

I just returned from getting a CT-Scan this morning for my back.  When I arranged the appointment, I told the tech that I would be wearing a diaper.  He said "not a problem."  This morning at the hospital, when as I began to disrobe, I told the tech, "I'm wearing a diaper.  Is that going to be a problem?"  The tech said "Don't worry about it.  It's not a problem."  She never gave it a glance.  Very professional.
 

--John

Of course, too much fluff pulp can cause the problem of "press-out" where when one sits down, our weight causes a small amount of pee to be pressed out of the diaper's absorbent mat.😕  THis is because fluff does not "lock in" the pee as SAP does.  However, that small amount of pee (usually very small) pressed out usually is absorbed back into the diaper.  By increasing the amount of SAP, diaper manufacturers almost eliminated the press-out problem.  However, by reducing the fluff they also eliminated most of the wicking.😱

Personally, I appreciate a soft, fluffy diaper.  Many all-SAP or nearly all-SAP diapers are stiff and "crunchy."

--John

That's correct.  Some years ago, the ratio of fluff to SAP was about 50-50.  That slowly was reduced.  The general public is unaware of wicking problems caused by too much SAP and is sold on the "thinner is better" premise.

--John

Welcome All.  I look forward to reading your posts.

--John

Ridiculous yes, but true.  Topic has been discussed on The Simon Foundation for Continence Web site.  

Fortunately such hospitals are rare.  A medical friend (a PA) told me that many hospitals are overreacting against the risk of diaper rash as such incidents are tabulated along with bed sores and other factors in a  hospital's ratings.

--John

I have read about "no diapers" hospitals.  They neither provide diapers nor will they change yours if you bring them.  Patients have to pee and poop on a Chux pad.  

The reason given for this is to preserve the patients' skin health as that supposedly would be endangered if they wore a diaper.  Presumably, anyone wearing a diaper will get diaper rash and that will make the hospital look bad.  Personally, I think the reason is sheer profit💸💰.  They save the cost of nursing time required to change diapers while subjecting the patient to humiliation and emotional stress.

Has anyone encountered one of these or anything similar?

--John

In other forums, wearing diapers to a medical appointment is a much debated  topic, particularly among those who are ABDL.  As most(?) of us here are in diapers 24/7 for medical reasons, I would like to ask whether anyone has ever received adverse comments from a physician or nurse because they were wearing a diaper.  As I usually list incontinence and diaper wearing when I fill out the forms for a new doctor, there is no "shock and awe" if I neeed to disrobe.  I rarely am questioned about it except to ask whether I am managing it well.  Usually the doctor asks whether I am beeing seen by a urologist.  

Surprisingly, my most adverse push-back came from my urologist.  As any urologist should, he regards his mission as hopefully "curing" me and getting me out of diapers. He is a good physician but must feel that I represent his failure as he has not "cured" me and I continue to wear diapers.😱  Seriously though, he has agreed, although reluctantly, that I have sound reasons for continuing to wear diapers.

What about you guys?

--John

Welcome CJ.  You clearly are coping very well.

--John

Those who have a well-informed and supportive PCP are very fortunate.  However, Iken's PCP may be taking support to a new level with his diaper checks.

--John

Welcome Popcorn.  Staying positive is very important.  Read the old messages as they contain a lot of useful information.

--John

Scarth, that is a very good tip.  To keep the tape very small for my bag, I sawed off a section of pencil and then rolled several inches of duct tape around it.  It is not a lot, but it is enough to fix a broken tape or cover a tear and does not take up much space.

--John

Re tape problems, although we have commented on the shortfalls of the tapes on some current diapers, our tapes now are much better than they were years ago.  When I began wearing diapers - about 10-11 years ago - the tapes frequently popped on all the brands of diapers I wore (quality diapers).  

The problem was so pervasive that I routinely reinforced the tapes with a thin strip of Duck brand duct tape.  I was able to quit doing that several years ago.  Please note that during the interveening years diaper capacities increased significantly, so the weight of the wet diaper went up accordingly, placing more strain on the tapes.

Today, it is unusual for me to have a tape fail and I wear premium diapers to near their capacity.  During the rare occasions that a tape pops, it is not a disaster as I always wear a diaper cover reinforced by a onesie.🙂

--John

Scarth, that is so true.

--John

Welcome Scarth, and glad to have you with us.  As you have been dealing with incontinence for so long, I am sure you have some tales and tips for us.

--John

I am like Scarth - I use SoSecure.  It is a well constructed reusable swim diaper.  I highly recommend it.  However, you need enough agility to be able to put it on very snugly with its velcro attachments.

All reusable swim diapers are engineered to contain fecal leaks, not urine.

Please be responsible and don't take chances by just buying the cheapest product advertised as a "swim diaper."  If you contaminate a pool with a fecal leak💩, they have to drain, clean, and refill the pool.😱  Also, they will not be happy to see you again.

Nullo is available OTC from your local drugstore or online via Amazon, etc.  It can be almost 100% effective, but this will vary from person to person.  In my case, to achieve a high efficiency, I had to take the maximum dosage.

Nullo (and Devrom) have been around for a long time and have been thoroughly tested.  You can search this online.

I do not take it every day, just for special occasions when I think I may be at a higher risk than normal of having a bowel accident and in a public situation.

I should add that it takes several days to become effective - about 3 days for me.  So, if you think you will need it, plan ahead on starting the first dose.

--John

Yes, bring many more diapers.  You will not need high absorbency as fecal material will tend to clog the diaper's mat anyway.  Don't forget plastic pants (multiple pairs) as you probably will have to deal with one or more leaks.  Good luck.

I am have had several colonoscopies.  As I have nerve damage to my anal sphincters, that makes it very difficult to hold anything in, my problem is very similar to yours.  As I am much older than you, I discussed this with my gastroenterologist and we decided that the colonoscoopy would not be worth it.

--John

Welcome Marks.  As you can see, you are among many others who share your situation.

--John

Welcome.  Glad you are with us.

--John

I could be your father!😱

--John