Other Incontinence

[StressyJen]

I imagine some people identified but didn't have the courage you did to reply? Just a guess :)

It's not the same as yours, but I do have one thing I don't talk about much that seriously embarrasses and hinders me, but have spent a lot of money and time and having to admit it to people, trying to get it as managed as possible just to retain my sanity and what little social interaction I have. I'd have to say, many many years into it, it's been worth it, it is much better now than it was in the past and I'm living with it although I thought I never would. I hope that encourages you that things can get better with time, whatever you can do as quickly as you can = more years on the other side when it is better than it is now.

 

[cherryblossom]

Hi Michael,

I think maybe you are seeing things that aren't there. If you look at the number of views vs the number of replies across the forum, I think you'll be suprised. Seriously, just look at the chit chat area or the PTSD section. Looking at the ratio of views against replies - your thread isn't any different. The number of views is at least 10x more, and often 100x more than the replies.

I'll agree, it may be a difficult subject for some, and therefore members may have shyed away from posting here. No-one can make people post things they are not comfortable with. There are plenty of aspects of my PTSD that I'm not comfortable sharing, but I'm grateful to read about. Looking at the number of views, this thread has had - maybe it is something other members relate to, but can't post about. Again, I'll say you are brave for sharing your issues here, and just viewing such a thread will be helpful to many.

It may be hard to take, not getting the replies you want, but sometimes all people can do, is read, and not respond. But without members making posts, there would be nothing to read. Also look at the number of guests who come here and just read every day. All our posts contribute to this site, and generally to people all over the globe being educated about PTSD. Whether or not you get replies - helping others can't be a bad thing.

All the best
Cherryblossom

 

[Cthulhu]

A friend of mine has a similiar problem with functional incontinence, it more or less persisted for his whole life until now. He seems to have accepted the thing as such and just makes the best out of it. Like you, he sometimes just needs or wants the soothing and security of it.

What, I think, really helped him was the possibility to talk to other people with similar issues.
There are forums about incontinence and its special problems, have you tried to talk there about it? I'd think you'd get much more answers there, incontinence maybe just isn't that common within people with PTSD (or the people here in this forum)?

 

[Nishkaa]

Hi MG,

If it makes you feel better, I'm actually experiencing some of this right now as a result of a very violent cough I've been experiencing.

I'm constantly running to the washroom to unload my bladder. I don't have diapers, but I'm using some maxi-pads for my own sense of security at the moment. I'm not enjoying this at the moment, but I also don't feel bad about myself for it.

I think understanding the physiological reasons and the traumatic reasons helps. There may be some stigma out there, but I don't really see that as a mature response to a very real problem (meaning the people who judge others about incontinence, not a mature response at all).

Though I understand that it must have been really rough growing up with it, another difficult thing to add to the problems and hardships you were already experiencing :( It definitely does not make you a baby, but I can imagine it feeling harsh as a child, I'm just remembering my own siblings.

There's also likely a lot more adults out there who do experience this, certainly more than we hear about. I don't see as a shame issue, though I know there's likely a lot of people suffering a 'secret shame'm, but when it's understood from a physiological standpoint even-- I don't see any shame about it.

I also get hit with IBS at times, when under stress. I also know my neighbour experiences this as well and we completely understand one another when "we need to run" and fast ;-) I guess it does help knowing others who are experiencing similar challenges. Then I think about my neighbour's husband and he goes through the exact opposite, born with a bowel problem where he can let go and it's very very painful for him. What's cool is that we're all fairly comfortable talking about, acceptance, acknowledgement and support.

 

[WhiteNoise]

Hello Michael,

I did read your thread and did not answer, because it did not seem to fit. I came back to it today, because it helped me to find old memories. Something rare and very random for me. I did not post it, just because I thought it was off-topic here. But maybe it makes you feel better to receive another answer, instead of just another silent view. So I post it now.

I did remember being locked up in the basement or my room, with no way to the bathroom. So I did pee my pants or on the floor. Then, as a punishment for that, I had to wear diapers and this was shown to other children, so I felt very ashamed. I can remember two such situations directly. I don't know if it happened more often. I just remember that I was in despair, because it was so unfair and I did not understand it at all, and I thought everyone who stared at me then will later laugh at me and hate me. I also remembered being locked up in my room, with such a stupid potty for infants, which was humiliating, too. I was far to old for it.

Later I found a second memory related to it. But it is as off topic as the first. Your thread just triggered random memory. Stupid old memories. I only can relate to the very embarrassing feeling. The reasons are different. I look into many threads without answering something, because its not easy for me to open my mind for others. Most times all I think is focused on myself. And I do not want to annoy others with it. So I sometimes write such off-topic-stuff down for my self, and don't post it.

 

[Robert]

Hi MG, Can identify with your situation though mine is different. Due to a conflict between medications for my heart and my head my blood pressure undergoes postural shift drop. In a bad case loss of conciousness is immediate and control is lost of normal functions ie, bladder/bowel. At first felt degraded and humiliated when this happened but now wear incontinence pants and consider myself fortunate. Fortunate, what a strange thing to say you may think but yes fortunate indeed because only a couple of decades ago my heart condition would have been terminal nor would I have been prescribed Prazosin to reduce the PTSD symptoms. So basically I'd rather s**t myself now and again than be dead or tripping back to 1989 every time I'm triggered.

Hope this helps, Robert

 

[PP68]

Hi !
I am also wearing diaper ! I have bowell and urine incontinence, mild but, diaper is must. I have rough history of sexual abuse, about 18 years. I was sometimes torn really bad. I also suffer ptsd,ibs,gerd,depression,insomnia among other things. I am 42, wearing diaper. Why? I really don't know.

 

[Philippa]

Hi. I've had to wear nappies before...after a botched abortion, where I bled clots for months and lost heaps of weight and became anaemic. It is a very humiliating experience, and I hope you can feel that you are not alone or abnormal for your condition.

 

[john doe 55]

I'm sorry to hear about your urinary incontinence. I have ptsd and fecal incontinence, mainly irritable bowel syndrome from my ptsd.

In regard to your sentence stating regression is the cause of your incontinence, I'm not sure if I agree with that. Your incontinence may be primarily a result of the stress of having ptsd and living in our complicated world that is full of triggers. My incontinence is predictable with stress, and not with regression. It's also stressful to have severe depression. Our neurologic systems and chemicals have been damaged by our traumas. Our brains even have some physical abnormalities as a consequence of our traumas. We can heal but often we still have some residual scars and abnormalities.

I could be wrong, but I hope you cut yourself more slack, and don't worry that the wearing of adult diapers is causing regression, making you worse overall. Being more safe from embarrassment is a good thing for all of us. Just keep doing what you think is the right thing to do, accepting your limitations which are more severe than any of us wishes they were.

Anyway, I support you with prayers and positive reinforcement as much as possible. My heart goes out to you. Sincerely, John Doe 55

 

[Bravo06]

Hello,

This is an old thread but one that I hope is till active for you Mike.

I am a 36 year old male Veteran and have PTSD. Four years ago when I was finally diagnosed by the VA and became 100% disabled my life changed in the most extreme way. I was working in an executive position that I had been working hard on to achieve for three difficult years.

Well one day I went into work parked in my assigned parking spot. ( Made me feel cool to not have to fight for a spot like so many others ) Said good morning to several people on my way to my office and was unlocking my office door when it happened. (My heart is racing just thinking about it ) Well lets just say I was not going to even think about solving this problem in the staff bathroom. So I went out the side door and quickly got to my car. ( I was very fortunate and consider my self blessed compared to so many others. Like you said about your friend )

So fast forwarding 4 years! ( We really should write books, because we are part of a small percentile that doctors, and unfortunately (in my studies) many mental health providers have missed. Mike your story is mine my friend. All of it. Im very emotional from reading it and am living it everyday like you.

My story is a long one that includes some not so great people at the VA and also a sexual assault from a VA employee. My incontinence is heavily due to PTSD and not that many male soldiers talk about PTSD much less the fact that they and I have to wear diapers 24/7. I have been 24/7 for over a year. It is very expensive when you have to wear the best of the best as to not leak or freak out because of smells.

Just this morning I was woken due to having an accident. Its not even a big deal anymore. Its part of who I am. ( Very depressing at times ) But like you I have found comfort in the protection that they give me.

Earl Nightingale said it best! -

We become what we think about!

Some times all I think about is having accidents or trying really hard to eat only the best stuff for my tummy.
I do this as to not make things worse for myself. But I have found in all my research that by doing this I have only made things worse. Because you become what you think about.

It you want to be a mental health provider it takes years of study and fellowship with other providers. What makes us different from them? I are actually more prepared them many of them! Because I have experienced being on high doses of sleep meds, anxiety meds, and anti depressants. I have woke up feeling hung over all day only to do it all over again day after day because a Doctor told me to. ( Before PTS, Incontinence, and anxiety I never had any medical issues ) So for the last 4 years I have tried that way with all the meds with very little positive results.

Its crazy really!! Lol I see myself as the kind of person that can solve all kinds of problems but have had such a hard time with this one. But I am an optimist and fortunately do not have as bad of a problem with depression as I do with anxiety. Anxiety is a wicked pain in the @&&!!!!

But guess what my friend. If diapers make us feel safe and comfortable. ( And they do for me too ) Then use them and be as much of yourself as you can.

I hope you have some hobbies or things that can keep your mind on positive things and active. I am just getting back on my feet after falling and hurting my back and hitting my head. Lol O ya I have the best of luck. Lol We just have to adapt and over come.

Most people will not even experience being incontinent until they reach the golden age. We will just be WAY more prepared then them.

I even have an invention that will help soooo many that have UI along with FI like me.

Shortly after my first messy accident that morning 4 years ago my VA therapist pulled me out of work.

Well I am the kind of person that loves to meet and talk to people from all walks of life. I get all my enjoyment out of life by helping people. Its what I get out of bed in the morning for. But the last couple of year have been very difficult for me. My ptsd was bad enough but add in the sexual assault last year and it made things go from bad to worse.

I have adapted recently due to having to find out a way to fix my roof. I have a wife and little girl that looks up to me and makes my heart melt. She is my world and I am so blessed to have her and my wife in my life everyday unlike so many of my friends that are still active duty infantry like I was.
(If you asked my daughter what her daddy does she would tell you I help people.) I have been a volunteer for years and continue to volunteer as I have a lot to offer but just in a little different way. ( Can't have a regular conventional JOB )

To be honest I have never liked working for some one and helping them with the goals and dreams of the business owner or franchise. Thats why my last JOB was working in the non-profite. (One goal of mine is to be able to walk out in front of thousands of people and tell my story.) We are not alone!!! Its just unfortunately still taboo to pee and poop in a diaper in the US at least.

I am working on a few inventions, one that Invent Help Inc. told me was a home run!!! I just don't have ten thousand dollars to get it going. I really just want to sell my ideas to take care of my family.

Sorry for rambling. Its the racing thoughts that do it. Its just part of it. I like to think of it as a side affect of PTS. No D on the end as I do not see how it is a disorder. Its a feeling that I have toward some crazy stuff I was part of in the Army.

I would like to message with you and anyone that has any feed back on all this craziness.

At the end of the day its only pee and poop!!!

My parting advice to all that may read this is.

Be safe and hug the ones you care about as often as you can.

Gods Speed

 

[Leah Morgan]

I have only just been diagnosed with PTSD as a result of childhood sexual abuse. It has been delayed onset but since the trigger I have wet the bed most nights and have to sleep on a puppy pad (tena pants leak due to wriggling during nightmares). Twice I have had the urge to pee when having an anxiety attack out and about and twice I have not made been able to make it. I feel whilst not so severe I understand a little. I don't know how the hell I can get back to normality if such a thing exists. But knowing I'm not alone helps.

 

[Weemie]

f*ck i wet the bed til i was 15 so i get it mate