For those in the UK

[Teddy02]

I have been incontinent for many years but always paid for my nappies. Can anyone tell me of your journey to getting nappies on the NHS? Thanks

 

[NappiedTruckDriver]

Constantly damp is your person
I think it goes like this
Get Dr’s apt , they refer you to continence nurse then it goes from there

 

[Wetshisbed]

Thats how it worked for me.

 

[NappiedTruckDriver]

Thats how it worked for me.

Thought so

 

[TheWetOne]

You don't need to be referred to the Continence Service by your GP - in my experience, at least, you will find that you can refer yourself directly to them. In fact when I moved to where I live now, I rang the GP practice to ask for a doctor to refer me, and the receptionist told me to ring them myself and even gave me the number.

 

[Teddy02]

Thank you everybody, very interesting. I shall call them today and see what happens.

 

[uknappygirl]

I hope it goes ok @Teddy02. I followed the same route as others, talking to my GP first. She was great and helped me with other symptoms as well as IC.

 

[Wetshisbed]

Thats how it worked for me. I was glad I went because I was found to be diabetic. My first symptoms were incontinence

 

[Minih]

They normally make you go via your GP now - I think in most areas the era of being able to self-refer has gone.

 

[Constantlydamp]

I have been incontinent for many years but always paid for my nappies. Can anyone tell me of your journey to getting nappies on the NHS? Thanks

hi Teddy02, my own journey started at my GP who referred me to the urologist at the hospital to find out why I was wetting myself. He found an enlarged prostate and I was offered an operation or management and I chose the latter (prescribed tolterodine and tamsolosin). Referred back to GP for introduction to the Continence Advisory Service who then arranged for me to complete a bladder diary of intake and voidings. I then undertook bladder training to try and lengthen the time between going to the toilet. Diagnosed with OAB and after failures on bladder retraining prescribed Tena Super but suggested I try a condom catheter as well. The condom catheter was not suitable as I am retracted and referred to a specialist nurse to be fitted with the pubic pressure urinal and had this fitted at home after being measured and assessed. Still wear a nappy at night (Tena Maxi xl) and if I am going to be sitting for a long time such as cinema, theatre or church but have to say the Continence Advisory Service and their staff are absolutely brilliant and provided you follow the recommendations will work with you to keep you dry and dignified.

 

[Constantlydamp]

Constantly damp is your person
I think it goes like this
Get Dr’s apt , they refer you to continence nurse then it goes from there

Hi parcelboy2, always happy to help anyone. The Continence Advisory Service in the UK is brilliant and I feel for those in the USA that don't have access to a specialist team. The Continence Nurses are very understanding and will make anyone comfortable to talk about their issues no matter how embarrassing. I could not believe I was chatting with the nurse about my bladder, leaks, dislodged pads etc without embarrassment and she constantly gave me help and suggestions. The NHS gets criticised but the Continence teams are shining stars who work under a lot of pressure to do their best for their patients. Take care.

 

[Teddy02]

hi Teddy02, my own journey started at my GP who referred me to the urologist at the hospital to find out why I was wetting myself. He found an enlarged prostate and I was offered an operation or management and I chose the latter (prescribed tolterodine and tamsolosin). Referred back to GP for introduction to the Continence Advisory Service who then arranged for me to complete a bladder diary of intake and voidings. I then undertook bladder training to try and lengthen the time between going to the toilet. Diagnosed with OAB and after failures on bladder retraining prescribed Tena Super but suggested I try a condom catheter as well. The condom catheter was not suitable as I am retracted and referred to a specialist nurse to be fitted with the pubic pressure urinal and had this fitted at home after being measured and assessed. Still wear a nappy at night (Tena Maxi xl) and if I am going to be sitting for a long time such as cinema, theatre or church but have to say the Continence Advisory Service and their staff are absolutely brilliant and provided you follow the recommendations will work with you to keep you dry and dignified.

Thank you for that. I have been through a lot of the tests over many years and no-one came up with any solutions as to the wetting problems. When I was in my late 30s I even had a whole test conducted while being watched by medical students from Japan!!! About 15 of them watching me pee!! At that point I lost all sense of dignity. But I would like to spread some of the cost of the nappies. I have always paid for health issues myself or with insurance and am a ‘lite’ user of the NHS. I have to agree that they were great over my prostate cancer diagnosis although I had the operation privately. The trouble is I know that the system is under pressure financially so I shall tread carefully.

 

[Wetshisbed]

hi Teddy02, my own journey started at my GP who referred me to the urologist at the hospital to find out why I was wetting myself. He found an enlarged prostate and I was offered an operation or management and I chose the latter (prescribed tolterodine and tamsolosin). Referred back to GP for introduction to the Continence Advisory Service who then arranged for me to complete a bladder diary of intake and voidings. I then undertook bladder training to try and lengthen the time between going to the toilet. Diagnosed with OAB and after failures on bladder retraining prescribed Tena Super but suggested I try a condom catheter as well. The condom catheter was not suitable as I am retracted and referred to a specialist nurse to be fitted with the pubic pressure urinal and had this fitted at home after being measured and assessed. Still wear a nappy at night (Tena Maxi xl) and if I am going to be sitting for a long time such as cinema, theatre or church but have to say the Continence Advisory Service and their staff are absolutely brilliant and provided you follow the recommendations will work with you to keep you dry and dignified.

The continence nurses are brilliant.

 

[Stevepw]

Hi so my experience with my local continence team hasn't been so good.

They actually took my nappies away. And tried different products on me. Like special boxers that have a urinal in them.. they didn't work. And now i just buy my own.

I have absolutely nothing to do with the continence team at all.

 

[Constantlydamp]

Hi Stevepw, I am sorry to hear you had a negative experience. It must be understood that the aim of the Continence teams is to get us all permanently dry again and to offer aids to achieve this. I had my nappy supply halved when I got the pubic pressure urinal because I would not need them if I was wearing the appliance and peeing into the leg bag, it sounds like they wanted you to use a bag as well. I suppose I am different from many on the forum as I am not a diaper lover and do not revel in my incontinence, I just want to be a normal guy who wears normal underwear and just grateful for Continence Advisory Service and the nurses who are there with help and advice. Once again I am sorry you did not get what you wanted / needed.

Hi so my experience with my local continence team hasn't been so good.

They actually took my nappies away. And tried different products on me. Like special boxers that have a urinal in them.. they didn't work. And now i just buy my own.

I have absolutely nothing to do with the continence team at all.

 

[Teddy02]

Hi Stevepw, I am sorry to hear you had a negative experience. It must be understood that the aim of the Continence teams is to get us all permanently dry again and to offer aids to achieve this. I had my nappy supply halved when I got the pubic pressure urinal because I would not need them if I was wearing the appliance and peeing into the leg bag, it sounds like they wanted you to use a bag as well. I suppose I am different from many on the forum as I am not a diaper lover and do not revel in my incontinence, I just want to be a normal guy who wears normal underwear and just grateful for Continence Advisory Service and the nurses who are there with help and advice. Once again I am sorry you did not get what you wanted / needed.

The problem is choice. I have use leg bag systems and catheters before but they don’t allow freedom of movement especially if you are wearing shorts! I am a very active boating/woodworking type and nappies really are the best solution. They are comfortable and secure and, I believe, the ABDL market has sharpened the designs of nappies in the incontinence world to the benefit of both.

 

[Constantlydamp]

Hi Teddy02, I agree with you it is a matter of choice (I chose management of my incontinence rather than another operation) but The Continence Advisory Service nurses ultimate aim is to get us dry and continent again if possible (please, please, please). Giving us nappies and appliances is to manage the situation and make the best of a bad situation. Great to talk to a fellow woodworker, it is the ultimate relaxation.

The problem is choice. I have use leg bag systems and catheters before but they don’t allow freedom of movement especially if you are wearing shorts! I am a very active boating/woodworking type and nappies really are the best solution. They are comfortable and secure and, I believe, the ABDL market has sharpened the designs of nappies in the incontinence world to the benefit of both.

 

[Constantlydamp]

Hi Teddy02, I agree with you it is a matter of choice (I chose management of my incontinence rather than another operation) but The Continence Advisory Service nurses ultimate aim is to get us dry and continent again if possible (please, please, please). Giving us nappies and appliances is to manage the situation and make the best of a bad situation. Great to talk to a fellow woodworker, it is the ultimate relaxation.

The problem is choice. I have use leg bag systems and catheters before but they don’t allow freedom of movement especially if you are wearing shorts! I am a very active boating/woodworking type and nappies really are the best solution. They are comfortable and secure and, I believe, the ABDL market has sharpened the designs of nappies in the incontinence world to the benefit of both.

 

[Wetshisbed]

Hi so my experience with my local continence team hasn't been so good.

They actually took my nappies away. And tried different products on me. Like special boxers that have a urinal in them.. they didn't work. And now i just buy my own.

I have absolutely nothing to do with the continence team at all.

Sorry to hear tno problems with our local continence nurse. She has offered me as much support as she possibly could. She wanted me to wear a condom catheter but when I explained my lifestyle she agreed pads and slips would be the better option.