Have any questions about how to use the community? Check out the Help Discussion.

Bathroom issues

KathyF1
KathyF1 Member Posts: 116
25 Care Reactions Second Anniversary 10 Comments 5 Insightfuls Reactions
Member

Maybe I’m in the dark about what to expect, but this evening my husband went to the bathroom, was in there a long time. I went in to see what he needed and there was a mess in the sink and on the toilet seat. I’m not sure what transpired when he was in there but I’m thinking I need to hang out outside the bathroom door from now on? Last week I found that he had gone to the bathroom in a bucket in the laundry room. How do you all avoid incidents like this?

Comments

  • Quilting brings calm
    Quilting brings calm Member Posts: 2,542
    500 Care Reactions 500 Likes 1000 Comments Fourth Anniversary
    Member
    edited November 29

    the only way to avoid this is to follow him around or put him in Depends and outer clothing that he can’t take off himself.

  • Sweetwater
    Sweetwater Member Posts: 10
    Eighth Anniversary 10 Comments
    Member

    Unfortunately it is time for you to assist him in the bathroom. Perhaps a schedule of suggesting a bathroom visit every 2 hours or so might limit the bathroom mishaps.

  • BlueVelvet
    BlueVelvet Member Posts: 1
    First Comment First Anniversary
    Member

    Hi, I'm so sorry. I think it's different for everyone.

    My experience was my husband getting up to pee every 30 seconds and then coming back. After over a year of visits to the urologist, trying different medications, he finally had a 'botox' procedure which cured the "urgency" issue. A little too much botox and he had to be catheterized for about two weeks following the procedure. Now he doesn't feel the need to go.

    In early May he swallowed some drain cleaner in the bathroom. I took him to the emergency room where they had to intubate him because his windpipe was swelling up and kept him on a ventilator for a couple days. Now we can't let him go to the bathroom alone.

    The other form of incontinence had begun right before the drain cleaner incident and since then he wears some form of Depends 24/7.

    I hope this helps you in some way. You may ask any more specific questions if you like. Please take care of yourself.

  • fmb
    fmb Member Posts: 447
    250 Care Reactions 100 Insightfuls Reactions 100 Likes 100 Comments
    Member

    Welcome to the blue glove club. Besides getting him to the toilet in time and making sure he goes IN the toilet, you will also need to assist him in wiping after BMs. If he does use the toilet by himself, make sure he does not clog the toilet with excess toilet paper. I have had to use a toilet augur to unstop our toilet in the middle of the night more than once. (Note: a toilet auger works far better than a plunger, which only forces the clog deeper and tighter into the pipe.)

    Bowel incontinence is a Stage 6 symptom. Although not a total deal-breaker for some caregivers, many find that this is their breaking point as far as keeping their loved one at home. It may be time to start thinking about future MC placement.

  • KathyF1
    KathyF1 Member Posts: 116
    25 Care Reactions Second Anniversary 10 Comments 5 Insightfuls Reactions
    Member

    Thank you all. Yes he wears incontinence underwear. But I agree, time to be there to help when he’s heading to the bathroom.

  • ImMaggieMae
    ImMaggieMae Member Posts: 1,039
    1000 Comments 250 Likes Third Anniversary 100 Insightfuls Reactions
    Member

    Kathy, it sounds like he’s at the point where you need to accompany him in the bathroom. It’s not something he’s doing on purpose, he’s just confused. Far easier to get my husband into the bathroom and properly seated on the toilet than to have to deal with huge messes and clogged toilets. Bowel incontinence is tough the first few times, but once you have a system and supplies down, it isn’t as big of a deal. It’s far more upsetting to my DH than it is for me. My job is to keep him calm.

  • jeannemarie8
    jeannemarie8 Member Posts: 6
    5 Care Reactions First Comment
    Member

    I need suggestions about how to keep DH from urinating all over the house. When I take him to the toilet, he refuses to go. Eventually, he can't hold it and pees wherever he is, dog bowls, sink, washer, cabinet. He wears Depends all day and is only incontinent when on an anxiety med overnight. At the moment I would like to duct tape his pants on him since he just went on the oriental rug. I know it is not on purpose, and I need to figure out a solution!

  • Jgirl57
    Jgirl57 Member Posts: 503
    500 Comments Fourth Anniversary 100 Likes 25 Insightfuls Reactions
    Member

    Buck and Buck clothing has options for back closure one piece jump suits that would require assistance to remove. That would help you assert yourself to assist in the bathroom or to help keep clothing on

  • __Dolly__
    __Dolly__ Member Posts: 27
    10 Comments 5 Care Reactions
    Member
    Hi! I’m new to this group and just browsed in this topic that I can relate to. This is the 3rd time in the last 2 weeks that my DH peed other place than the bathroom. The first two times, he peed on the bedside table near the bed and I woke up that his side is wet. Next, he peed on an ashtray bowl which I use to place my car keys and tonight, he peed on a the floor of a hallway to the laundry room.
    Do I need to consult with his neurologist or primary care provider about these accidents?

    Thank you!

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
Read more