I'm not looking for sympathy, but I will admit I am having a rough time as of late. I read a great post on a support website for those dealing with incontinence that did put me in a better mood however. Here it is:

"Most folks suffering with incontinence were continent at one time. You never had to worry about leaks or dribbles or the embarassment of wetting your pants or getting the furniture wet. So when that starts to happen, be it suddenly or gradually, the human reaction is denial. Many of us will quickly resort to diapers which effectively eliminate the consequences of an unplanned wetting episode. But the denial continues that we are losing or have lost the control we once took for granted. If life then revolves around this new change in lifestyle, then we have an awful lot to lose.

It is certainly a given that you will pursue all avenues with your health care professionals, but you must also keep in mind the reality that, for most of us, little can be done to reverse the incontinence. This is when you have to decide you are going to get over the "woe is me" attitude. Acceptance of the situation is what will set you free! Incontinence should not run your life, nor should it be allowed to ruin your life.

There are several ways to manage incontinence with diapers being the most common, very effective and safe for the majority of people. But what ever you decide to use, it is your personal business. You most likely could care less about what kind of underwear your friend has on. Likewise, no one needs to know what kind of underwear we have on, save for a "significant other", of course, and discussions of how to deal with telling the girl friend or boy friend about diapers have appeared in various forums with the results basically the same; it's no big deal.

My summary; credit the one and only Beeter man: Incontinence sucks, but quit your belly aching! Tape on a diaper and get on with your life!"

I feel like this medical condition affects all sorts of spectrums of life, but I am not going to give up that easily. Most days I just want to be completely, 100% open/honest and not worry, but I always do otherwise. I really just want a hug and for someone to say it is going to be alright. What keeps me going also, is knowing I am not alone -- we all have some sort of struggles, ups and downs, but we must stay strong and stick together. I hope everyone is having a great week so far. I wish nothing but the best to all! We are good souls on a wonderful journey. Take care! &

[RedBarchetta]

Not quite sure I understand your point...
It just so happens I do have urinary incontinence, in my case that has been since birth.
However, that is a medical condition in any event. I have no doubt it must seem worst if you have the control, and than loss it as opposed to never having the control at all.
But just don't see the connection I guess..

[beadlady29]

Hi.
beads also has urinary incontinence.............due to herniated discs in her neck whicth are pressing on nerves that cause this. Surgery is not an option, so we just deal with it. No big deal tho. Diaper and go on with life. Sorry if it bothers u a lot.......hope u learn to live with iit more gooder. hugs,
mary sue

[RedBarchetta]

Originally Posted by beadlady29

...just deal with it. No big deal tho. Diaper and go on with life. ...

That's about all you can really do, now I do recall it really bothering me as a kid - mostly due to the way other kids where about it..And in SOME situations now, mostly due to life experiences and phobias - but the fact is when you come right down to it - it really is not that big of a deal, fairly easy to manage, and I think you will find in general, it really doesn't matter as much as you think it dose in the long run....