When he was flaring so badly and we had a doctor appt that he had to go to, he asked me to go out and buy Depends. I was so proud of him to ask for them. I wanted to suggest them but thought he might get angry or feel embarrased. (He had used a thin maxi pad of mine previously as "insurance" in case there was a little accident or staining.) He was more concerned about
being comfortable and not stressing out about
what if I have an accident what will I do. Of course that day he ate very little, went to the bathroom quite a few times beforehand and never had a problem. But it gave him the confidence he needed to be able to go out and not be a total wreck. Otherwise he might have had me call the Dr and tell them he couldn't make it and couldn't leave the house.
Of course when I went to the drugstore the aisle had sooooooooooooooo many to choose from. I got what would be the correct size of course and I got the highest absorbency ones. I forget the brand name...but when he put them on we were both so surprised at the fit, comfort and they were not like baby pants or puffy. You couldn't see any difference at all. I thought they might make him look a little heavier or something...not at all. (Of course when I was trying to decide what to get - a store clerk offered to help me and a gal I know happened to come by.............Murphy's Law!!!)
He has used them a few times when the urgency and frequency was unpredictable and he had to go out for an appointment. Otherwise he stayed in and didn't go out unless he had to until things got under better control.
Now he just uses the extra long panty liners in his BVD as insurance in case of any staining. Most times that is not an issue but again it gives him a comfort zone.
Many here have a "survival kit" of sorts that they keep in a tote bag/gym bag in their trunks with a change of underwear, clothing, baby wipes if there is an accident. Kind of a pain to have to think of these things but you need to be prepared in the off chance you're caught. Just knowing you're prepared and removing the stress out of the equation puts you at ease. We were in the process of getting a survival kit of our own together for the car and things started to settle down. If and when the need arises - we'll have one too.
I had told him about
it and he thought it was a great idea - so if the need arises we will be putting one together ourselves.
60 yr old male~Colitis 1st diagnosed Jan '05-cleared up within a few wks. Flared again in May '06 ... left sided ulcerative colitis now & fully involved and trying to get in remission. Acute inflammation-pancolitis-tenesmus rectal pain-granulation is showing some healing started. Osteopena of spine from prednisone DX 8/07 July 07 starting to feel somewhat normal 75mg Imuran 40 mg prednisone (tapering 8/07) 12 Asacol, Lidocaine Hydrochloride Jelly 2%,multi vitamin, iron 3X day, DanActive, chewable calcium, Prilosec 20mg, enalapril 10mg, glipizide 5 mg, zocor 20 mg, baby aspirin, (Fentanyl pain patch 50mg 72 hrs Morphine Sulf 15 mg twice daily)Colocourt enemas at night.