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Are any of the absorbant products better than others?

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Posted 7/29/2009 10:36 AM (GMT -5)
I'm still on the catheter and will have it removed in 2 days. Unfortunately it is constantly dripping and I am going through clothes faster than a performer at a Vegas Review.
Having a continuously leaking tube coming out of my private parts not only drains my urine but also my sense of propriety as well. I now have no shame. I walk around and talk with my neighbors carrying my pee bucket, dressed in an outfit that would have me arrested as a sex offender in 14 states.
I am using Depend Guards for Men Regular to give me about 2 hours of catheter "coverage" but I am looking for something for when it is out. My wife just came from the store empty handed, perplexed by the plethora of pee protection products. The store in this area carried Prevail and Depend. I figure I will need something that can be changed without taking my pants off. There are some called "underwear" and some called "briefs", both of which are availalbe in the side opening, tear off, "Chippendale" configuration.
The Depends have a scale on the side small dot to large dot but no way to relate that to real world figures. The Prevails don't say anything.
What is the difference? Is one brand better than the other. Do you have favorites? (Lord knows, my wife did when she wore tampons, etc. Now it's my turn to be picky.)
Thanks for your help. (I'm sorry you might know the answers to these questions.)
Jeff
Posted 7/29/2009 10:44 AM (GMT -5)
Jeff, You will most likely not need the protective underwear. Pads should be enough. I have experimented with sevreal brands, including Depend, and found that Tena Male Guards are most comfortable (they are triangular shape that goes easily inside your regular briefs (it does not work with boxers). I found that few stores sell these, but they are readily available on line. All the best with your recovery. Greg
Posted 7/29/2009 11:16 AM (GMT -5)
Hello Worried Guy,

I've found the pads are all I need. I never go out without two in each of my back pockets. Most I've ever used while out is one change, but the comfort factor of having three more is huge.

I've been using the Depends brand, simply because they were on sale, about half price, and I loaded up. It is amazing how much one pad will hold. I think you'll be fine with the pads and you'll learn to change them in a flash, standing up in a men's room toilet.

You'll leak so much the first week, or three, or ten, you'll think you'll never improve and you'll grow to hate those here who are drying up faster than you and their assurances that you'll be "fine." So, add me now to your hate list. I don't know that I'm doing better than you'll do, but I do assure you you'll do fine.

Sheldon AKA Sleepless
Posted 7/29/2009 11:28 AM (GMT -5)
First question, why are you leaking so much with a catheter? Or did I miss something in your post. If its leaking that much, then perhaps they didn't inflate the balloon portion enough when they installed the cath. The weight of the balloon typically seals the urethra where it meets the bladder neck at the bottom of the bladder. A few small drips from time to time under pressure or from a bladder spasm can make that happen. But if its coming out that soon, perhaps its all academic.

Brands? Gee, stay away from any generic CVS drug store pads or pull ups, they may cost a little less, but they are poorly made. The pullups will absolutely leak from the sides at the leg elastic part, which defeats the purpose, and they aren't tailored very well. Their men pads never quite fit right, and would not hold as much as Depends.

Unless money is absolutely the issue, I have no complaints with the Depends Men's guard, and like another said, amazing how much one will hold and still not leak. Their pull up diapers are excellent, and I used them at night just as a security blanket for about a month when I was going dry, they are not going to leak on you.

Good luck in your recovery.

David in SC
Posted 7/29/2009 11:29 AM (GMT -5)
Sheldon, Consider yourself "added"!
I know you fast guys aren't really better than me. We all put our pee bags on just like everyone else: One strap at a time. ;-)

OK, I'll try skipping the underwear for now and carry extra pads in my back pockets instead of my wallet - much to the chagrin of some poor pickpocket.
Posted 7/29/2009 11:45 AM (GMT -5)
Worried guy, or start a new fashion fad for me, and put a spare pad on like a shoulder pad like women use to wear!
Posted 7/29/2009 11:45 AM (GMT -5)
Fun isn't it.  The smell was a problem as well, not just leakage.  Anyway I'm at 5 weeks, don't know how other people are but the first 2 days after removal I had no control at all and was flying through pads, but the improvement is rapid.  I am pretty much pad free now as long as I stay away from the Budweisers.
Posted 7/29/2009 12:44 PM (GMT -5)
Pad free at 5 weeks engineer55!

Consider yourself on my list, lol.

Worried Guy --- while I got along fine on the pads I did buy some of the pull ups. I only wore one once. That was on my way home from having the catheter removed. I put a pad inside the pull up too. Not taking any chances. But the pull up wasn't very comfortable. Hot to wear. When I got home, after leaking like an old row boat all the way, I was amazed to find the pad had contained it all and obviously still had room for more. I removed the pull up. That night I think I wore one for awhile, but took it off.

Purgatory --- seems to me that pads would make a unique fashion statement if tucked under the epaulettes of a uniform shirt.

So, from an abundace of caution you may want to have pull ups around, but I doubt you'll need them.

Sheldon AKA Sleepless
Posted 7/29/2009 12:53 PM (GMT -5)
Now I understand the purpose of the epaulets on my London Fog overcoat. The raincoat can cover any public dumping I might need to do and the straps are in the perfect location for quick access. Maybe Depends can market a line of pads in "manly black" so they can be worn as a fashion statement as well. (Hey, there have been stranger fashion trends. Do you still have your white bucks and white belt in the closet? Ummm, I do.....)
Posted 7/29/2009 10:11 PM (GMT -5)
The first couple of weeks back at work I always had a spare pad in my pocket and several more in my brief case. I also carried several of the "pooper scooper" bags I use when walking the dog. That way, I would change the pad in the stall and then bag it so it was easier to throw in the trash. Disposal was not something I wanted to share with the other guys.
Posted 7/29/2009 10:27 PM (GMT -5)
I agree that Depends are good, but I believe they must private label for some of the major chain store brands. I can find no difference in construction or quality. Price hs been a guide also.

I actually wore three pads for a while, because Willy never lays exactly where I out him. ( still doesn't know how to stand up straight either ) I would wear on of the Tena male gard because they are wide, and a 2 Depends style pads side by side, for when I just didn't want to leak. Like in church with khaki pants. I later learned to only wear darj colored pants.

Did they leave stints in also ? I have the same drip problem because they left stints into my kidneys also. Didn't let the catheter seat well.
Posted 7/30/2009 7:40 AM (GMT -5)
Man, this post is gold for me. I wondered what to do with the pads and for all my supposed creativity, I never thought to put them in a doggie poop bag.
@goodlife I have not had a talk with my surgeon yet. I don't know what a stint is so I don't know if I have any.
@Purgatory I figure I just have to handle the leaking for one more day. I am putting out about 2400 ml per day through my catheter and am leaking about 600 ml per day into pads. (I have a Mettler balance in the kitchen so I can measure accurately.) There are three possiblities, 1) the tube is too smalls, 2) the ball is not inflated enough, 3) spasms. I know they took out 15ml of saline just before I left the hospital supposedly because the large ball can cause spasms.
Whatever the reason, it is not worth driving 25 miles to the Uro today to have it checked. I'll keep my 2 gallons of gas, 2 hours of time, and $20 co pay and spend it on a few extra pads.

Psst, Here's an inside stock tip for any day traders out there.... Based on your answers I have decided to stick with Depends pads and double up occasionally. Kimberly-Clark stock is poised to shoot up at least a billionth of a point when my catheter is removed. Be looking for the jump.
Jeff
Posted 7/30/2009 4:05 PM (GMT -5)
Worried Guy, I am going to send you a strange message regarding pads.  It will test your manhood.  I found after a few weeks that the standard pads were overkill.  I simply needed something to keep the occasional dribble.  Well, at the direction of someone on this site, I started wearing Kotex light day pads.  It fit the situation perfectly, and I didn't have to deal with all the swet generated when working in the yard, or being outside.  The K pads are also very inexpensive. Of all the things I could have predicted in life - wearing a Kotex was not one of them.
Posted 7/30/2009 4:22 PM (GMT -5)
As you can see, RB gives you something to look forward to. I suspect that a lot of us continue to wear pads just because incontinence is such a negative issue. Which you rather do/ a) pee your pants b)wear a pad when it is not necessary? I am here wearing a light pad because I am that sort of chickencrap. Anyway, at 4 months post-surgery I can tell you that continence does return, at least for most of us. Hey -- four months is not that long compared to the rest of your life.
Posted 7/30/2009 4:27 PM (GMT -5)
I found it easier to work in the yard with no pad and pants on. Neighbors talked a bit, but I saved a pad, didn't wet my pants either.
Posted 7/30/2009 5:33 PM (GMT -5)
@RBinCountry: The K pad is a great idea. Believe me, that is not what's testing my manhood. It's the whole Brazilian shave job and willie completely hiding inside his shell. I mean I got nothing showing! Slap a set of boobs on me and I can make RuPaul jealous. I might as well wear a K pad too.

@goodlife: That is the best solution yet! Now if only we can keep the deer flies away!

@geezer99: Tomorrow the catheter comes out. I will consider that the first day of the rest of my life. The advice from experts has really helped.
Thanks!
Jeff
Posted 7/31/2009 8:49 PM (GMT -5)
The catheter is out and my pathology results are in. Good results!
So far, I've peed in the shower, the bedroom, the living room, the kitchen and the family room. Looks like I've got a straight flush going.
Tonight will be the first test of all the products and my control. Here goes....
Posted 7/31/2009 9:24 PM (GMT -5)
Worried, You are on the same path the rest of us have been down.  Things will improve quickly, hang in there.  As far as the turtle situation - I well remember.  It was embarrassing.  I  wondered at the time if I would ever appear as a man again.  Don't worry - it is the swelling, and the new connection down there.  The bladder has to reset itself.  That will fairly soon correct itself so that you will once again appear as a man. The K-tex comes later when the gushing slows way down.  Or, you may be so lucky that it will just stop suddenly.  Some have experienced that.  As for me, mine improved week-by-week.  At about 12 weeks I was nearly dry, but everyone is different.  Blessings.
Posted 8/1/2009 6:30 PM (GMT -5)
Today was my first day without Cathy and the first day I had to perform in public. (I am a judge for one of the largest arts festivals in the area and of course I did not tell anyone about my situation. I have not even told my coworkers. Talk about short confidence - but that is another issue.)
I needed to walk 3 miles and look at 400 booths in just over 3 hours. My neighbor drove me while I lay on the floor of the van. He also carried my goodie bag and blocked the doors for me. The guy's a saint.
I wore the diapers and beefed them up with Depend Guards. Every hour, when I felt a load, I had a "Changing of the Guard" ceremony in a portapotty. My pair of walnuts turned into an osage orange after about 1 hour. Torture. Got home about 1:00, changed, showered and have been on the couch until just now 7pm watching Star Trek on CD and sleeping.
I don't know how you guys did it. Heroes.
Posted 8/1/2009 9:43 PM (GMT -5)
My leaking was so bad initially, and my job required lifting, ladders , stairs, etc.

I went to the medical supply store and bought a clamp. Sounds worse than what is is . It allows you to pinch off Willie. It is adjustable, and was tolerable for 8 hours or so.

I then fastidiously did my kegels, and one day I was ready to go solo. I have never used more than 2 pads a day. I use one now, and am hoping in week or two to gradutate to panty liners.

I am not recommending it, doctors don't like it, but carrying a loaded bag around just wasn't my bag

It's my problem, and I solved it the way I chose .
Posted 8/1/2009 11:44 PM (GMT -5)
@goodlife A clamp?! How does that work? I can imagine the Uros fighting you on that issue but if it works, I'm up for trying. I promise to open it every hour. Is it something I can make myself?
Posted 8/2/2009 2:28 PM (GMT -5)
The clamp, including brand names has been discussed on other threads -- try penis clamp in the search box -- some uros actually recommend it.
I think you can buy them online. Unless you also built your own Da Vinci robot, I wouldn't take on building medical equipment.

Your first day out of the catheter is usually your worst for leakage and things get pretty livable for most guys after a week or two (1-4 pads per day) You set off on a pretty serious adventure for your first day so don't take that experience as typical of a more normal life.
Posted 8/2/2009 3:33 PM (GMT -5)
@geezer

geezer99 said...
Unless you also built your own Da Vinci robot, I wouldn't take on building medical equipment.


I'm already looking at making my own pump. I have a very expensive high end automotive vacuum pump tester that has an integral gauge and check valve. How hard can it be to come up with a clear tube and a seal for the base? I'll look around teh house for some closed cell foam. As long as I keep the pressure below a certain value (I don't know what the commercial units use.) I should be ok. The laws of Physics are immutable. Negative pressure is negative pressure whether it be from a low capacity plastic device that the medical profession sells for $400, or if it is a high capacity metal engineering grade pump for $300. As far as I can tell the engineering type pump has enough capacity to suck the chrome off a bumper so I would have to be careful. Wouldn't want to rip willie out of his socket just after surgery.
By the way, I have no intention of doing anything about this issue for at least another 2 weeks. My bad day yesterday was caused by a combination of things that led up to a perfect storm. Extremely stressful conditions for those few hours; the IV dye and the bladder dye for the leak test, plus drinking tons of water to clear my system, all contributed.
I will look up the other links about the clamp and see if it makes sense for me. I'll wait as long as I can before doing anything rash.
Posted 8/2/2009 3:43 PM (GMT -5)
The clamp has foam on both sides, and is adjustable. Yiu can bend it a little if Willie is too big or small. It hss an area that is indented that closes off the urethra. Whenever I felt the urge to go, I just went to the jihn like normal.

Mine is made by Bard, and I paid $40 for it, because it is medical equioment, and had a high price so insurance will pay a lower price.

Hey, I'm into that hmemade VED. I could get an erection in 10 seconds with that baby. I don't have any chrome on Willy, so I'm not too worried !
Posted 8/2/2009 3:48 PM (GMT -5)
Worried Guy,

I hope and pray you are totally joking about making your own pump device. Not to say that you couldn't come up with something, but that would totally risky and dangerous, at a time when your winky and your body is recovering from a very major surgery. There's not a doctor in the land that would ok what you were suggesting.

David in SC
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