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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.

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I'm in Illinois, I just got two cases of Attends "Ultimate Absorbency" briefs. My Primary Care Provider is new to the VA and not a native speaker. Her attempt got me a case of Attends underwear. Someone from another team called me and got me these. They are crap. I'm not sure who you need to talk to. You might try the pharmacy or find a long term doctor or nurse that knows the system.

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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.

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There's a part of me that wants to track down the Attends design team and make them wear and use what they designed for a month or two or hundred.

 

After about three hours it was literally falling off my body. I did find a use for the case of pullups they sent me. I wear one over the brief to help hold the brief on.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Just bumping this thread as I'm still hoping someone out there has a tip or trick to get decent diapers through the east coast VA.

Heck, I'd be willing to hold my breath till I get them- if I thought it would work.

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My problem is that I don't even know who to talk to. My Dr is new to the system, some nurse from another team managed to get me the Stands Ultimately Useless Briefs that I have. I wonder if Patient Advocacy could help. I am half tempted to write my Congressman or Senators.

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51 minutes ago, Valentinesstuff said:

My problem is that I don't even know who to talk to. My Dr is new to the system, some nurse from another team managed to get me the Stands Ultimately Useless Briefs that I have. I wonder if Patient Advocacy could help. I am half tempted to write my Congressman or Senators.

Just to confirm, you're on the east coast correct? And you are talking about having better diaper than the useless crap, correct?

I do know the west coast va has a different contract/supplier, which allows for special or drop orders. No such luck on the east coast, where I can get diapers, but they're all useless.

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11 hours ago, Slomo said:

Just to confirm, you're on the east coast correct? And you are talking about having better diaper than the useless crap, correct?

I do know the west coast va has a different contract/supplier, which allows for special or drop orders. No such luck on the east coast, where I can get diapers, but they're all useless.

I'm in the Midwest, Central Illinois.

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6 hours ago, Valentinesstuff said:

I'm in the Midwest, Central Illinois.

Awesome, and what brand were you able to get? Something at least like Molicare or Seni? And dare I hope it's Megamax or Betterdry?

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4 hours ago, Slomo said:

Awesome, and what brand were you able to get? Something at least like Molicare or Seni? And dare I hope it's Megamax or Betterdry?

Attends Ultimate Useless Diaper. 

https://www.healthykin.com//p-5200-attends-ultimate-absorbency-briefs.aspx?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20756320035&gbraid=0AAAAADw-o9YxuxGfuLJp84nKsWDtdS7aM&gclid=CjwKCAjwprjDBhBTEiwA1m1d0q1brzduWtmcAXJvAdTmsmBLe6A8QxjAfsEu7BlpL8o68oHiAS2pGxoC14AQAvD_BwE

 

Admittedly that is the cheapest I saw with a quick search.

 

image.thumb.jpeg.b9eb0c7f2a5b67eba883739df7b8d944.jpeg

Yes they have one giant "tape," they are hook and loop. The machine that folds in the side panels is so inconsistent that it is difficult to tell if it is fully unfolded. The single tape is nigh impossible to get fitted correctly and after a couple of hours it is literally falling off your body. They might work on comatose dehydrated patients, but I would not put money on that.

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19 hours ago, Valentinesstuff said:

Attends Ultimate Useless Diaper. 

https://www.healthykin.com//p-5200-attends-ultimate-absorbency-briefs.aspx?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20756320035&gbraid=0AAAAADw-o9YxuxGfuLJp84nKsWDtdS7aM&gclid=CjwKCAjwprjDBhBTEiwA1m1d0q1brzduWtmcAXJvAdTmsmBLe6A8QxjAfsEu7BlpL8o68oHiAS2pGxoC14AQAvD_BwE

 

Admittedly that is the cheapest I saw with a quick search.

 

image.thumb.jpeg.b9eb0c7f2a5b67eba883739df7b8d944.jpeg

Yes they have one giant "tape," they are hook and loop. The machine that folds in the side panels is so inconsistent that it is difficult to tell if it is fully unfolded. The single tape is nigh impossible to get fitted correctly and after a couple of hours it is literally falling off your body. They might work on comatose dehydrated patients, but I would not put money on that.

Bummer. Yeah, that's been my experience too. I can get them, but they're all so cheap I'd rather buy my own.

I'm still hoping someone out there has managed to get half-decent diapers from the east coast VA. Anyone?

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  • 2 months later...

Hello, I’m on the west coast and it’s the same story here.  I have been issued the cheap Tranquility brand briefs which are practically useless for heavy wetters.  
 

The VA here issues the cheapest crap they can source.  Im grateful for their trying to help, but I have been buying Northshore Megamax for sleeping as they’re the quality I need overnight.  
 

 

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10 hours ago, LotisFlower said:

Hello, I’m on the west coast and it’s the same story here.  I have been issued the cheap Tranquility brand briefs which are practically useless for heavy wetters.  
 

The VA here issues the cheapest crap they can source.  Im grateful for their trying to help, but I have been buying Northshore Megamax for sleeping as they’re the quality I need overnight.  
 

 

Go back to your VA PCM, and let them know Tranquility isn't absorbent enough and you need something better. They may insist you try several other different brands first, but eventually you should be able to get a drop shipment set up. Then you'll be able to get something like Betterdry, Northshore Megamax, or whatever your favorite brand is (within reason of course).

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  • 1 month later...

I ended up talking to a Patient Advocate and explained the situation. He got me in touch with someone, I think is in the pharmacy department. He got me some Tranquility Smart Core.

image.thumb.png.f75ec43f12bb5322c21736c7d81f5f1b.png

 

These are much better than the Attends that I had previously gotten, although they still aren't very good. I asked if he could send me a list of available products, which he said he will do. I am hoping that they have something that is at least plastic backed. 

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I heard back from the guy at the Peoria VA Pharmacy. He says they have 4 Tab Style large diapers in stock at the warehouse. Attends Complete and Attends Advanced. The Tranquility pictured above. And one that was just listed as "Diaper Adult Large Extra Absorbency" (sure sounds military issue), he included a hand written note "Above is Fit Right (warehouse noted lowest quality of the 4 listed)" That would be saying something, as the Attends I was sent were literally falling off of me after a couple hours of wearing at my desk and not using.

 

Sadly it appears that the Tranquility are the best of the lot. They at least stay on for a decent amount of time. I don't think I'd trust them if I was out and about though.

 

I guess it's time to write my Senator. Somehow despite her being Veteran, I doubt she's using what the VA provides.

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