How I manage incontinence, one of the annoying and inevitable joys of paralysis
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Пікірлер: 122
I’m a 16 year old paraplegic after being involved in a car crash when I was 13, I struggle to remove my pacs without getting out of my chair and undressing will give this a go
I very much appreciate that you talk about incontinence.
Thanks for your transparency Brittney.
(Brittney, I don't know how you kept your balance when you leaned over so far in your chair!) We learn so much from you all of the time. Yes, I am the A-B half of a different interabled couple (CP, not SCI) who never realized that having a Spinal Cord Injury meant more than just not being able to walk. Until I was introduced to you and to this channel, I sure didn't know anything about loss of sensation, nerve pain, and bowel and bladder issues. Thank you Brittney for having the confidence and self-actualization to present and demonstrate these issues and the ways to handle them! You make the world a better and more knowledgeable place!
@EmpoweredPara
3 ай бұрын
Thanks Jim!
First time watching your video. You are so courageous being willing to be real and educate those of us that have no idea how you manage day to day body functions.
Hey Brittney! Thanks for sharing all the videos that you have posted. I came across your channel when researching being disabled while camping. I loved seeing how independent you are and how supportive your family is. My name is also Britney and I suffered a SCI when I was 13 as well. I was very athletic and loved sports so my injury definitely changed the direction of my life and my mental state. Although I'm not wheelchair bound I definitely struggle with similar issues concerning my bowel and bladder. I appreciate you so much for sharing your story and being vulnerable with the world. God Bless you for your courage and I look forward to hearing more of your stories and watching you enjoy life!!
I just found your channel. I watched this video and read all of the comments. I have an inoperable spinal tumor and other issues. Im losing sensation and mobility daily, with frequent falls. My doctor has already informed me that I will be getting a suprapubic catheter and a colostomy to manage bodily functions. I already have very little control, and wondered how others managed these issues. Thank you for the discussion without the awkwardness. Good luck on your journey.
Just an FYI for any other viewers, this video is about incontinence for peeing and does not discuss fecal incontinence. I watched all the way through, great video, thought I would just let others know!! XO 🙂
You’re amazing! Thanks for sharing something intimate to help others.
Thanks Brittany. You always present these lessons in an easy to understand.
@EmpoweredPara
3 ай бұрын
I try lol..I'm not always the best at explaining things though!
This was so informative. Women have incontinence from having children. My daughter has this problem and this is helpful.
@EmpoweredPara
3 ай бұрын
So many women struggle with this!
@arendvanfelius2444
3 ай бұрын
hoe zoo incontinent door zwanger zijn geweest ❓
@arendvanfelius2444
3 ай бұрын
je kan een aan doen voor incontinent en voor menstruatie en voor plassen en poepen
@amyhull754
3 ай бұрын
@@EmpoweredPara, I just had a second surgery last week to manage my urinary incontinence. Mid-urethral Sling placement has improved my incontinence dramatically in just a week. I use the Always incontinence pads because I find the sticky better than the Poise pads...but I use the #7 long ones. It's great to have the, "Hey...this is just something that some of us live with" (for various reasons) attitude here so those of us who live with incontinence know there is a community of us.
I have incontinence too and I agree fully about changing the pad as well. It's just easier. I like the stretchy panties too. Awesome video, thanks for helping people in a chair with these tips.
Thank you for the explanation ❤
Hey, Brittany. I kinda make my own "diapers" with a thin garbage bag and a couple of paper towels. I simply fold a couple of paper towels over and cut the plastic to the size of the towels. Roll them together and use them in the place of a standard diaper. It's very thin and less likely to cause breakdown or pressure sores. You can use the same plastic barrier several times. This has worked out great for many years, and quite economical. ❤
nice 1 Brittney very interesting. Thank you
I don’t have an sci. I have ms and I use a wheelchair and your videos are awesome
Your a hero
My pad sister! I have MS and go in and out of incontinence. I too found the pads much easier. Yep there are accidents but there are with briefs as well. Way better. Some pads are better than others. My main demand from them is odor control. See? Someone gets brave and we all feel it's ok to be brave too. Thank you. ❤️
Off topic but i love your tigger teddy 😭
Hi everyone I'm from India. I'm also paraplegic. Thank you for this video.
@EmpoweredPara
23 күн бұрын
You're welcome!
Great video Brittany, as always. Those of us who've been disabled for a long time know -there are always alternatives. So just remember, there are almost always other ways to deal with incontinence. I got tired of the constant uti's and went with the suprapubic catheter route. Others might see it as a bit extreme but 40 years paralyzed I've done the other routes and wasn't impressed by my results. Take care !
@morgancalvi6675
3 ай бұрын
Same here...my doctors always said SPCs were safer and there were less infections than with ICing...plus with years of ICing, there can be an issue of false passageways to the bladder, which can lead to leaking. I think with age though it can cause leaking when you have an SCI at her level. She's blaming it on perimenopause, but I'm betting it's SCI and age related. For those that think getting an SPC is extreme... a) it takes 20 minutes, b) many doctors just numb the area and not even out you to sleep because it's not even surgery, c) it's 100% reversible...and d) the ones who think it's extreme, don't know how NOT extreme it is and they're over reacting.
@jazysmama3376
3 ай бұрын
Same
@EmpoweredPara
3 ай бұрын
I will do that too in the future ! Lots of friends have them and love them
@morgancalvi6675
3 ай бұрын
@@EmpoweredPara I really like the fact that they're reversible. In fact, the hole to the bladder and the bladder hole closes up in an hour or less. No surgery or anything...just take it out.
@TonyHuddlestonholycow
3 ай бұрын
@@EmpoweredPara The only downside is that there's a catheter coming out of my belly all the time and it has to be cleaned twice a day usually. Baby wipes are great for the job. Getting the catheter changed once a month is also a negative but for me it's totally worth it. Bless you Brittany
so well done for talking about this..i, have both bladder and bowel problems .have too wear adult nappies .not afraid too say,.mark
I used to Walker and bedside commode for night time during the day the bathroom but still have the pad one on top of the other like I said and have that body wash that they give me you spray the toilet paper and that gives you a fresh wife or use the wipe flushables but I'm able to stand up and hold on and change it standing up so I manage it that way. And I have a walk-in shower with a shower bench. My problem is my back, I was a nurse for 60 years so it wore out my back. God bless you I hope I helped.🥰🥰
All good Britney
It's a good thing you don't have any shoulder problems. A few years ago I did and would not be able to reach my arms some of these ways.
@EmpoweredPara
2 ай бұрын
I have some shoulder pain but it's not bad thankfully
This is something I am still trying to figure out. Trying different things I Hate having to relearn to live my life again
@EmpoweredPara
3 ай бұрын
Yeah it sucks. But you'll get there. Some of the stuff I show on my channel took me over 10 years to get good at!
@TonyHuddlestonholycow
3 ай бұрын
Have faith. It takes time but you Will learn to go on with your life. Brittany is a great motivator. Listen to her and others who have been on this road. You got this. ✌️
@cpr58
3 ай бұрын
@@TonyHuddlestonholycowthank you
After tearing a disc in my back in a car wreck, I began experiencing some bowel leakage. My favorite disposable product is belted shields. They are easily changed without removing clothing, and are half the cost of diapers. They're just right when a person is going to be out for longer and unable to change. They are unisex and there is no front or back so it's easy to change, aside from the buttons on the belts. The buttons are no big deal to me but some people find them a hassle
I am able to walk, though I do have limited mobility. I have a pelvic neurological condition called Pudendal Neuralgia with Central Sensitization of Pain. I thought you did a great job of explaining & you were very thorough. I also leak pee, though here's the interesting twist...I am a woman & offten have to pee standing up straddling the toilet. In order to accomplish that I have to remove all clothes below the waist. Your inventiveness reminded me of myself. I already have some issues with lifting my left leg, so that can make getting in & out of underwear challenge. But earlier this winter I was having more difficulty than usual. Out of desperation I discovered a knew hack while out & about...In the winter time I wear fairly dressy winter boots with my skirts/dresses. I took the good leg out of my underwear with boots on, and I didn’t really want to do the same with my left leg...so while my left leg was still in my underwear I stuffed the free side of my underwear in that left boot, so my pad was still hanging out. Problem solved, quicker easier & I didn't have to hold onto my underwear or find somewhere to hang them in a restroom stall. I don't know why I couldn't have figured that out years earlier, lol. I don't like incontinence underwear like Depends cause they trap the odor of sweat in. I use pads too, but I use period pads cause it seems that all the pads designed specifically for incontinence have a perfume odor that I'm allergic to. One brand claimed to be unscented, but they weren't unscented. Thank you for your informative content!
@amyhull754
3 ай бұрын
I haven't noticed a scent in the Always incontinence pads, but I have a relatively poor sense of smell, so I might be overlooking it. My attempt at using period pads was highly unsuccessful because they couldn't keep up with the rapid flow of a larger amount of (runnier) liquid than period blood. I'm glad they're working for you!
My name Bill Thompson I am a diaper lover I been wearing diapers for over 40 years an full time for over 20 years I now wearing north shore disp diapers will me an my brother is taking care of our mother she have cancer put now cancer free an a heart attack an couple strokes now she can't walk so she wore adult pullups they easter for us to change her then adult disp diapers taking care of our mother is hard put we getting by will she took care of me when I was 4 an have heart surgery to repair a hole in my heart will it's time for us to take care of our mother 😊
My mil is 85 and not in a wheelchair but she is so incontinent she has to change 8-10x a day and is up and down going to the bathroom all night….her main problem is she drink caffeine most of the day which is a bladder stimulant..she’s say she has to go pee but she sits in her chair for 30 minutes before she decides to go to br and she wet on the back of her skirt and she just turns the wet spot around to the front and keeps the wet clothes on..I’ve tried to get her to try to train her bladder with no luck and she had a Medtronic bladder surgery that was no help and meds they’ve tried her on don’t help…co start UTI..anyone deal with this and have any idea what to do to help her? She’s been a diabetic for at least 30 years!
Holy Shit! Yes! I wear #6. I'm a T12 athlete. I joke with my children about being able to master peeing your pants and switching the pad all while in traffic. 😂 You are braver than I wearing underwear. Way to go! You did such a great job explaining!
I’ve learned so much from your videos, thank you so much for all you do 🙂 I do something similar to change my pad, but my legs are a lot bigger so I find it easier to manage if I leave the sticky tab on (instead of removing it). The pad will stay in place, but it makes it much easier to manhandle and position correctly 🤣
@EmpoweredPara
3 ай бұрын
That's so smart!
My bladder rules and ruins my life sometime 😢
I think it’s not necessary to expose the adhesive on the pad. Sitting, Ive found that it doesn’t really move around, much easier to adjust and remove.
What an incredible opportunity for all to learn about the complexities for having a disability. Thanks for your posts and knowledge and videos.
@EmpoweredPara
2 ай бұрын
You're welcome!
How many times a day do you cath? I have Spina Bifida, apparently incontinence is different if you have a chronic vs acquired SCI, and incontinence is my biggest struggle! I have officially been diagnosed with stress incontinence, this means that I leak if I use my muscles (and yeah, pushing your wheelchair involves muscles lol), cathing 4 to 5 times a day but I don't think is enough. The bad thing is that this is what my insurance covers, so I don't know how people that cath 8 to 10 times a day are able to do that...
@EmpoweredPara
3 ай бұрын
I cath around 10 times a day. Sometimes less, sometimes more. I'm lucky that my insurance covers unlimited! I'm not sure what I'll do when my husband retires and doesn't have such good insurance A
@eleonoragiannetti3603
3 ай бұрын
@@EmpoweredPara I live in Europe, insurance here is not private (actually we cannot apply for a medical insurance when on disability benefits) but they have limited amounts per patients. It's a struggle!
why not a suprapubic catheter? This was life changing, no more chasing bathrooms.
The only benefit from being a high quad, i cath 4-5 times a day. And thanks to your protest i can now use a new catheter every time. Even though it was quickly changed so i have to pay extra again, even though I'm full aadl coverage.
@EmpoweredPara
3 ай бұрын
what!? it changed?
I knew a woman who was in a horrific motorcycle accident and lost like half of her body. It was always amazing to see how she would cath herseself. Hell, it was amazing that she did everything she was able to do. At one point, she was even skiing!
@EmpoweredPara
3 ай бұрын
People are pretty amazing aren't they!
I’m not even chatting at this point I have the same problem but ain’t even a bit paralysed or out it’s a dark issue.
I am 41 have scoliosis and cerebral palsy and ware nappies
In my case it is a mental issue. It's all about peace of mind (...and money!). Without diapers, I would constantly think about it and not function normally. When I wear a diaper, even if it's dry at the end of the day (most of the time), I don't think about it all day long. And diapers are provided by the health service - I would have to pay a lot of $$$ for sanitary pads. Just sometimes when I know I'll be very active (risk of leak) and know I wont be able to change the diaper, then I add and extra protection layer with slim pad that can be disposed at anytime when needed.
@EmpoweredPara
3 ай бұрын
100%! Peace of mind is so important. If I weren't wearing a pad I would be miserable with worry
Do you take oxybutynin or any other meds to help with the incontinence?
@opentolerance
3 ай бұрын
Be careful with oxybutynin, there may be a link to future dementia.
@EmpoweredPara
3 ай бұрын
I take Toviaz.
I am the same way! But i wear cloth Diapers with rubber pants! Better in the long run! My care giver pins me up in thick curity like diapers then the vynal or rubber pants, yes they're bulky and the pants crinkle, i feel like a baby, but i accepted it!
❤yes
It's so sad one has to be embarrassed for that because of stupid society
Brittney, I use pads too but find most underwear does not have a wide enough gusset, It looks like your boy shorts do. Can I ask you the make and model? Thanks for the demo.
@EmpoweredPara
3 ай бұрын
I just got boyshort undies from Amazon. And I made sure to get spandex/nylon so they were stretchy. amzn.to/43rDpSe
I have overactive and week blatter and stress incontinence and I was born with overactive and week blatter, i feel it is easier to use thick overnight adult diapers and thick overnight blatter control pads in my diapers for extra protection. Poise does have a new pad and it is a leave 8 pad and it is wide in the front and wider in the back of the pad and I use two of them in my Walmart brand diapers and they work well for me. Have you seen those poise leave 8 pads yet?
@EmpoweredPara
2 ай бұрын
no! I'll look next time I'm at the store!
One of my spinal cord patient got Botox to help in incontinence. It made a huge difference. Not sure if that's something that you can try.
@EmpoweredPara
3 ай бұрын
It's an option but I try to avoid it if possible because I've had friends that have gotten systemic toxicity where the botox leaves the bladder and affects the entire body. It causes debilitating weakness, loss of muscle control, and fatigue. I don't want to chance that!
@user-kr5bj7cb8l
2 ай бұрын
I have an Axonics implant which gave me back the feeling in my bladder and bowels. I have heard people say Botox works for about 6 months than half to be give another treatment again. Just remember that the Axonics implant has a two-week trial period, when you get the actual battery put in you don't have two have it change for 20 years or more. Brian had the Axonics device put in it works excellent for me.
how do you pee using a blue airplane catheter
I know you’re scared of Botox but it changed my life I have also been through menopause
Do you feel the urge to pee? Thank you for this video!
I like your videos. You are so informative. My question is, I'm trying to see zippers in the pants for my relative who is paralyzed. Are there videos showing how to do sew them?
@EmpoweredPara
Ай бұрын
I don't have any videos or know of any specifically for sewing adaptive clothing. I take mine to a seamstress:)
@negenreider
Ай бұрын
@@EmpoweredPara Does your seamstress have a website, Facebook or KZread?
@EmpoweredPara
Ай бұрын
@@negenreider no, she's just a local lady. I just ask for a 9 inch zipper in the crotch. All seamstresses know what to do when I ask!
Seems to me like a complex process; i think that we, the guys, don't really know how lucky we're.
You are a tough and beautiful woman to deal with youi spine.how did you get paralyzed?.I can walk and talk but I have a c2 c3. Fracture.
I found that using regular baby diapers inside my underwear as a liner work great. They absorb a lot and are inexpensive.
Yes, you’re right, Mexico is coming! To a city near you!
@EmpoweredPara
2 ай бұрын
lol if Mexico can move to Canada I'd be pretty happy!
I have to wear diapers and ive had surgery down there were did get tiger
Hello Brittany, I'm Diana from Southern California89 years old I'll be90 in a few months 2024 and May anyway I have the same pad that you have I recognize that right away that pink and I'll give you a hint about keeping dry if you're out any length of time where you don't have to keep changing it is put one pad on top of the other pad or three pads and then just as you wet them take that pad out and you still have a clean pad and so on and so on until you get to the bottom then of course you have to start all over again
To prevent most UTIs 3 500mg D-Mannose each day helps me. Several research papers support this.
@EmpoweredPara
2 ай бұрын
I use d mannose daily!
Its wierd but i think a paralysed woman is probably a more down to earth and faithful wife, less inclined to divorce or monkey branch like most modern women. Just all round more genuine...
My wife is terminal and is in hospice care she has a catheter in
@EmpoweredPara
2 ай бұрын
I'm so sorry 😞.
@joshuahawkins2743
2 ай бұрын
@@EmpoweredPara thank you you are a sweet person my wife has cerosis of the liver if I spelled it correctly sometimes life is day by day and some days it's minute to minute she can't walk so we understand she can't even stand on her own before going into hospice care I had to call a ambulance to get them to get her into the car and call them when we got home to get her into the bed
Great video. I use to be so ashamed of my need for diapers. Now I'm accepting of who and how i am
@EmpoweredPara
3 ай бұрын
To me it's no different than wearing pads or products during menstruation. It's not gross or shameful. Just a mental shift. And CLEARLY a huge percentage of the population needs incontinence products because the aisles are stocked! So it's more common than we all want to admit!
@GeekCulture101
3 ай бұрын
@EmpoweredPara agreed. Growing up my parents always pushed for no one to know as kids could be cruel and so many don't understand such needs. Sadly even now there's still often times a weird mentality about it. Example i did an empowering photo shoot that featured my diaper and ostomy and some photographers i contacted wanted to lean towards a ab perspective for some reason. I've had some off experience in regards to dating or from nurses in the past too. To me its no different than someone needing a wheelchair, cane or even glasses. We all need somthing to help live our best life.
@EmpoweredPara
3 ай бұрын
@@GeekCulture101 There are always gonna be people who don't accept it, but the best we can do is move on to those that do. Good for you for getting those photos done. Owning your circumstances is how we get others to accept us!
@GeekCulture101
3 ай бұрын
@EmpoweredPara soo true! Anymore my belief is if someone dont accept us how we are or ehat medical products we use thats their problem. Am who i am
@EmpoweredPara
3 ай бұрын
@@GeekCulture101 100%!
#LemonadeLifestyle
you're gorgeous
try making a pee video using your airplane catheter
@EmpoweredPara
3 ай бұрын
I'll do that!
You're in your 50's? It's more likely an overactive bladder. 'Injury to the spinal cord at T10-L2 will result in urinary incontinence and an overactive bladder.' You go by menstruation...not urinary incontinence. I think you should go to a urologist...or at least your family doctor. Incontinence is normal for you. Intermittent cathing is bad over years of time because it can cause false tracts to the bladder. I have a SPC and it's so much better than ICing regarding fewer infections.
@EmpoweredPara
3 ай бұрын
I'm 38 lol! I hope I don't look 50!
@rebeccapaul6455
3 ай бұрын
@@EmpoweredPara You do NOT.
@EmpoweredPara
3 ай бұрын
@@rebeccapaul6455 phew!
Diapers man
I love diapers