Most awkward situation at the doctors office

I was with my father at the doctors office and stood at front desk to check-in while my father had already taken a chair in the waiting room.

The man in front of me (about my age and size) told the doctor's assistant that he has many problems with his pads and he would prefer to have pull-ons for daytime use and briefs for the night. He asked them if the health insurance will pay for it and if yes, which products the can recommend, because he needs size XXL which is not so common here in Germany.

The assistant could give him the prescription for it, but of course she didn't know which products are fine for him. So I stepped in and told him which I would prefer and where he can get it. He was extremely thankful and left the doctors office.

Then I check my father in with the assistant (she knows me) and she asked me why I have that "diaper knowledge" or if a have also problems with incontinence. I told her that I work in the health sector, which I think she believed.

I really use the same diapers, but just for fun and know the problems when you need size XXL.

Would you have done the same thing and help that man? What have you told the doctor's assistant why you have that inside knowledge?

I have had a similar experience at a pharmacy. A woman was eyeing the adult diapers and asked to herself "I wonder if these are any good." I walked up and said "that depends on the level of protection. If it's for a heavy wetter, or overnight I would go with something other than store brand or depend pullups." and gave her a couple websites to look at for adult diapers. I don't know who was more red. Me or her. She didn't ask how I knew just said thank you and I walked away.

I am not embarrassed , been diapered so long I have no problem educating people , in my diaper bag I have several different kinds and absobencies so I will show and tell if it helps someone ,my Urologist gives new IC patiehts my number as a friend advice or to just vent with a safe person , I try and give back to others the breaks I have caught in this life , whether that just be to listen , or the person needs mentoring , might as well put my sorry as to work.

Yes, these situations can be somewhat awkward for both people. But I remember when I was dealing with my incontinence as it became worse. I wished that I had more information or guidance for dealing with incontinence and protection products.

As I have posted many times that I'm very private about wearing diapers for my incontinence. I would have helped or give advice to someone who was unsure even though how awkward it maybe. If they ask me how do I know about incontinence and protection my answer would be that I'm incontinent also. Being incontinent and dealing with it just becomes a part of your daily routine and lifestyle.

SAP, I think that's great that you try to help others dealing with incontinence. I wished that I had that opportunity or even discovered ZITY for advice sooner than later.

When I first started having problems it was almost impossible to find out things as the internet really was in its infancy then, the local chemist supplied some info but my wife was a real source of wisdom on it and helped me deal with it.

Nowadays all I get from some of the proffesionals is "you should be out of nappies by now" like I never was, that really pulls my chain ?

But today we have wonderful resources like zity and they have so many people adding their "take" on the subject it is made so easy to make informed choices.

Nowadays all I get from some of the proffesionals is "you should be out of nappies by now" like I never was, that really pulls my chain ?

I have never been faced with this situation myself. But with that being said, I would look the healthcare provider person in the eye, and ask, WHY? What professional president is there to back up, your telling me, “I should be out of nappies by now”. I would be interested in the established line, or mumbo jumbo they could come up with. Give me the science behind your, (the healthcare person) statement. What studies have been done on “ adults should be out of nappies”?

Lol, sounds like such a stupid thing, to say to a patient!

Yes luvs it I agree, but one particular nurse was very intent on calling my disposables "pads" and always had done so until she tried to persuede/coerce me to try something else, this something else was a cath with bag.

Trouble is "been there and got the infection along with the "T" shirt" etc etc

Unfortunately we had words and she was left in no doubt what I cope well with and what I do not ?

Most other people just accept and only two have tried to shame me out of them.

Too long in the tooth now to change and I am coping well with my nappies and only rarely have leaks.

I've been incontinent for more than 25 years due to inherited neuropathy. When it started, I sought medical help. The universal medical solution was first pills and then surgery. Pills dried up everything but my bladder loss. Surgery was a non starter for me since a failure would do permanent damage.

Doctors could not recommend an incontince counselor such as is common in the British medical world. I found that the ABDL community knew more practical solutions than any other source. It was not just practical, but often fun.

I have been a member of a prostate cancer survival group for a few years. It's great to be free and open to talk about issues rarely discussed anywhere else. Most of the members are older guys and their wives. They have little experience dealing with a significant by-product of prostate removal - temporary and sometimes permanent incontince.

I prepared and presented a paper which reviews practical social continence solutions, i.e. how to appear to not have incontinence.

I looked at each solution (external caths, pads, pull-ups, diapers, disposable and cloth, plastic pants, clamps, etc.), frequency, costs and sources. Each solution has pros and cons.

I brought several samples to the presentation and passed them around. My urologist now provides copies of the paper to prostate surgery patients.

Today I had the annual mini chech-up required by Medicare. Near the end, my GP asked if I had any concerns. I asked if he could recommend a proctologist. For a month or so I've had a hemorrhoid.

He asked if it was internal or external. I laughed and said I couldn't see it so I didn't know. He offered to check it out.

He gloved up as for a DRE. Gloved and a light. Meanwhile I undressed - sweater, shirt, pants, onesie and diaper. He asked me to lean over the exam table and spread my cheeks.

When he was done, he explained the type of hemorrhoid while I retaped my diaper, re-snapped the onesie, fastened up my pants, pulled on the shirt, and then my sweater. We were talking back and forth all the time. Neither of us paid any attention to the clothing exercise.

He wrapped up the session with notes and recommendations. Diapers and onesies are part of my everyday life - no big deal anymore.