Continence issues

Liz B

Greetings all,

We are in a new phase! Incontinence, mostly at night. DH is wearing the CVS version of Depends (didn't like the Depends), but he is definitely leaking through, thus we are beginning an unwelcome sheet-changing at O-dark-thirty regimen. Do I insist on Depends? Is there something else? Do you double up? What has worked for those of you already dealing with this?

THANK you!

Ed1937

Hi Liz. Sorry you're dealing with this. My wife is pretty much urine incontinent, but has not soaked the bed yet. One of our daughters told me to use layers on the bed. First is a leakproof mattress cover, then a leakproof pad, followed by a fitted sheet, a top sheet, then a leakproof pad, followed by a fitted sheet, a top sheet, and again a leakproof pad, followed by a fitted sheet, and a top sheet, etc. As many layers as you want. Then if you're busy, or in the middle of night, you can just rip off one set of sheets and pad, and you have another already on the bed. That's what I have now.

Ed1937

Here is a link you might find helpful. You can order samples for $2.00, or you can buy whatever you want. Samples take a little longer to get. https://www.parentgiving.com/shop/search?w=samples  

Liz B

That is brilliant! Great idea, and I'll try the free trial noted by Ed as well.

Birdies

Hi Liz,

Ed gave a great suggestion.  We hadn’t thought of that.

My Dad puts 2 pairs of briefs on my mom.  On the bed is a waterproof mattress cover, then a waterproof pad, then a bottom sheet, then a washable waterproof pad, then a disposable waterproof pad. 

All of this saves the hassle of constant sheet laundering.

You can buy both disposable and washable waterproof incontinence pads on Amazon.

This forum will be a great source for you.

Hope this helps 

KeithH

Hi Liz,

So sorry to hear. I had recently went through the same with DW. The depends couldn’t hold a full bladder. I know she is a woman and things are different for a male, but I started adding Pose overnight pads to the depends. The seem to hold a full bladder, which in turns stops the zero dark thirty sheet changes.

lqadams

Can anyone help me with what size Tranquility overnight briefs to buy? My husnand is 230 lbs, 6'. They are unisex and I can't find any size chart. Thanks.

Ed1937

This might help. https://tranquilityproducts.com/wp-content/clinical/Clinical/Sizing-Guide.pdf  

Dreamer Lost

No matter what depends my DH wore, he still leaked through.  Through the side, the back, or he pulled it out.  I did the layers for the longest time like Ed describes but even then, I washed everyday, sheets, peepads (reusable dog peepads worked the best).  Finally Dh reached a stage where I could use an external catheter (like a condom hooked to a catheter bag hose).  It works great.   You may try pushing liquids early in the day and then limiting them later in the day also to help reduce output during the night while still keeping them hydrated.  I also have heard some wake their LO up during the night and take them to the bathroom.

lqadams

Thanks for the help. Maybe I will order 2 samples first, large and xlarge. I'm  just so tired of doing laundry. This a.m. the blankets were wet too. I had to put up a clothes line to hang sheets etc. My electric bill had increased by $50/mo from using dryer. So frustrated.

jfkoc

The 6 sided waterproof mattress cover is essential. We then used pads...the washable kind used in the hospital...then I got the kind that covers a crib mattress. Layering is good. When Hospice arrived they provided disposable pads.

aod326

Hi. The start of incontinence was a hard thing for me - not because of the actual physical issues, but because I could no longer pretend this wasn't a downward journey. I hope you're managing to stay as upbeat as possible.  If your husband is just beginning with incontinence, he may not accept this option, but overnight "tab-style" briefs are so much more absorbent. But they are an adult version of a baby's diaper and he may baulk at wearing one. We use Prevail - amazing absorbency.

Best of luck.

JJAz

By far, the best overnight product that we used was Abena Abri-flex M2 (M2 is the size).  Not cheap, but worth every penny.  Available from Amazon and other online stores.

Blessings,

Jamie

lqadams

Thanks aod326. I don't  think he would accept tab closure undies. Since he has been wearing Depends, even during the day, for quite some time, I ordered a sample pair of Tranquility briefs.  Hopefully they will work. I just hung up 3 bottom sheets to dry and put in another load of urine soaked sheets and pajamas. It is an endless process.

lqadams

And thx JJAz. If Tranquility don't work will order Abena.

Doityourselfer

I buy the CVS brand for my husband and what I've learned is to buy the correct size.  I started off buying the Large but now use Small/Medium since my husband has lost some weight.