[Lumia_black]

So have you heard of that 'Depends drop your pants for underwearness' campaign?

We all know MS can cause complications 'that way' and yah some of us lucky ones get to sport those sporty shorts sometimes and I do on occasion and I am not embarrassed about it. Possibly at first, but it isn't such a big deal anymore. Why are they making such a big deal about it? Underwearness? really? Videos and commercials messaging about how its no big deal some Americans wear "different type of underwear' You even have celebrities 'dropping their pants' and admitting to incontinence problems.
I really don't think people could give a crap about someone who wears Depends and it' not like able bodied don't know some do.

I dunno, I just think they are hyping it up too much, makes it awkward seeing those commercials and wanting the commercial to go away quickly, cause your face is starting to blush in front of friends.

What am I suppose to do? drop my pants in public and get people to look at me and watch me be proud that I wear depends and I aint embarrassed ?
I don't want to see anyones underwear TBH and could care less what they have on, so why do incontince people have to 'get word out' that Depends are OK and cool...no big deal.

</rant>

[Kitty]

It's all about the good old $$. Those companies don't really care how they get the sales.....they just want them!

I guess having the problem of incontinence used to be a taboo....now it's more of a status thing!

I think it must be much more prevalent, too, than it used to be with younger folks. i guess that's why the "modern" styles?

It seems nothing is off limits anymore. I'm glad I watch most of my TV alone because some of the things they advertise are just mortifying.....and it's not just incontinence!! Don't they think if someone has "that" kind of a problem they'd be checking it out with their doctor and not relying on a TV ad to instruct them?

[SallyC]

LOL!! I'm not shocked at anything, after watching our VP Dole,
talk about his Erectile Disfunction, for Viagra..

[Hockey]

These commercials are not aimed at patients with unavoidable incontinence issues due to spinal cord injury, MS, etc...

What the manufacturers are trying to do is NORMALIZE adult diaper wearing, among people who have incontinence issues that could be resolved easily by medication and/or minor surgical procedures.

My friend is a urologist and these campaigns make her livid. For example, older women who have urinary incontinence, from things like childbirth, can be treated.

However, these commercials encourage people to see leakage as normal - and buy diapers, instead of visiting a doctor. As some people feel embarrassed about discussing these issues, they don't need much encouragement to avoid seeking proper medical attention.

In some instances, opting for diapers, instead of treatment can do more than shrink wallets and undermine quality of life. Incontinence can be a sign of serious health issues and should always be reported to your doctor.

Greed, greed, greed...

[KittyLady]

I opted for the "padding". I talked it over with my urologist and he said he could give me a pill for the incontinence but it could cause all kinds of side effects, so I declined. I'm incontinent enough to need them full time anyway.

[Lumia_black]

Only in the past two years I have really had difficulty with control. I've been cathing for a number of years, but actual leakage was very minimal. Now it's quite often, mostly in the night, because I cannot really hop up and run to the bathroom that well now. I started using a male urinal, but waking up with a wet bed became commonplace in recent months. Soooo yah I took the deeepends option for a while which I found very uncomfortable and searched for another option. Currently on meds for bladder spasm reduction which works very well, however its been so long and progression is going up that I do have slip-ups, at least twice a weak. The male pad things they make suffice for now, but I am searching better options.

I'm not embarrassed about it, never really been, because the other aspects of MS hurt and confused me a lot more than a little pee. Being a man I guess it sucks a bit to try and get a GF, because of the MS and in particular the bathroom problems. That sucks a lot more than the actual problem. Padding is not something I am going to settle for(no offense) I am going to keep trying to get back that part of me and feel good about beating MS out of that very hard thing to lose.

I agree these companies are show boating incontinence as a normal thing and wearing cool undies is a solution. I don't think they are pushing it for a permanent solution, but I agree that people who are embarrassed about leaking will find these undies as a permanent fix and never talk to anyone about their leaks all because these companies hype it up making padding look like a way to stay continent.

[Starznight]

While I don't care for the commercials, really they aren't worse than half the drug commercials, including the ones for OTC medications. I mean Tylenol commercials promote chronic use (despite the serious affects on the kidneys) for pain, Advil (which affects the stomach and liver) for fever, and really the reverse is true, ibprofren is better at treating inflammation and thereby pain, and Tylenol is better at reducing fevers... But neither medication should be taken for the long term without talking to a doctor first.

Then there's the whole Bayer aspirin campaign, that everyone over forty should carry around with them in case they have chest pains... Pop an aspirin and stop your heart attack... Well unless it's the electric impulse side of your heart that's making it not want to beat, then you just took blood thinners making CPR especially dangerous for you since bruising becomes a larger problem. And the number of people who skip asking their doctor if they should be on an aspirin regime and just start popping one daily.

Multivitamins are the same way, many of the vitamins and minerals in them aren't water soluable and can cause problems if you get too much including an inability to absorb other minerals and vitamins, but they hype it up anyways and people rush out to buy them without seeing doctor 1 to know if they even need them.

So I can't really blame depends for jumping on the bandwagon. Honestly I don't think it will bring about a mass of potty pee-pants of people using them rather than talking to their doctor, depends have been around for a long time now, the same people who weren't going to talk to their doctor and buy them in shame, will still not talk to their doctors.

[Synnove]

hockey,
I agree with you. Urinary (and/or stool) incontinence should always bee discussed with doctors, first the attending, then perhaps a urologist, Gi, and neurologist. There are many different causes of incontinence. Gynecological causes, urology causes, and there can be causes such as autoimmune disorders (like MS) and other kinds of neuropathies.

I agree medications for neurogenic bladder can have serious side effects, and has to be considered.

Regarding the adverticed undergarment. In many cases these can be of great help, after the underlying problem has been discussed with the appropriate doctor. JUST, it is important than to also advertise the appropriate skin protection products to use.

Starznight,

I agree with you, over the counter medication should always be used in consultation with the attending doctor.
This also goes for all the vitamin supplements, that are advertised.

Tylenol has a maximum daily dose of 3000 mg. It has serious liver damage potentials. But the med is a general safe pain med and antipyretic med to use from time to time, but not for long periods of time.

Some people can not use the NSA (non steroid anti inflammatory) meds such as Advil and Ibuprofen and others. This is because of a potential GI bleeding side effect these meds have. For the people using daily Aspirin, this is a contraindication, due to a double bleeding risk.

Many cardiologists have their patients on a daily small dose ASA of 81 mg.( it is often called a baby aspirin) This may be patients of high risk of blood cloths from narrowing of vessels due to plaque.
Also neurologists, have patients on daily ASA to prevent strokes. These patients may have had strokes or TIA s in the past.

It is always a fine line, and difficult to decide. Strokes and heart attacks, MI are caused by ischemia, and ischemia is caused by eighteen a blood clot or a hemorrhage.

So therefor, I think it should always be included in the commercial the importance to have this monitored by a physician. People should not self medicate.
I have to be on a both anti platelet aggregation med and ASA. due to 2 previous small CVA that thankfully did not leave me with lasting limitations.
People should take their ASA in the evening, because strokes often happens in the early am.
People on this med should be carefully monitored and be instructed regarding fall prevention. In my case, with neuropathy and balance problems, I take good care.

SO, MEDICATION SHOULD BE TAKEN UNDERS THE CARE OF A DOCTOR.

[doydie]

If I ever had to wear the Depends or some kind of incontinence pad it would be for bowels. Hate it but when I get the urge, I better be close to a commode.

[Lumia_black]

Originally Posted by doydie

if i ever had to wear the depends or some kind of incontinence pad it would be for bowels. Hate it but when i get the urge, i better be close to a commode.

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