www.incontinentsupport.org

Wow, so much information! Thank you. This site certainly lives up to its 'tagline' (caring community)!
Thank you all for your welcome and advice.

I'm not sure how the availability of products compares generally between the UK and US. From what Sandy says it sounds as if it's good in the UK. I can only speak for the area I live in - whilst there doesn't seem to be much in shops there does seem to be quite a range online, and in the end buying online is more private anyway so I'd generally prefer it.

I haven't tried Abena yet but have seen several people say it's good so shall look to try that. Yes, Kendall Lille is a brand I've found to be really good - I've purchased them online. They are perhaps not the thinnest available but I didn't feel they showed under clothes or anything (being a woman who wears skirts all the time I think that issue is probably much easier for me than for the men!) and they are very absorbent. I tried looking at other sources because the site I got the Lille from seemed to have suddenly bizarrely increased their prices overnight, but I now wonder if that was actually my mistake and that they may have started displaying prices for several packs of pads instead of individual packs.

That is a point I hadn't realised about the Gompells site, sociologygeek, thanks. So far I've actually found the products I had ordered from there a couple of days ago are fine, so perhaps I was fortunate on this occasion. They do sell Euron - I used to do care work with the elderly and Euron was a brand many of the people I worked with were supplied. There are many different absorbencies and the more absorbent ones seem quite good for me. I have also just tried Contifit from there but it does not fit me quite as well as the Lille.

Sandy I will have to look up those Tena ones you told me about, thanks. I hadn't realised they did that kind. I have only come across their Pants and Pants Discreet in shops, neither of which are anywhere near absorbent enough for my needs now.

A couple of people have mentioned Molicare as very good and I looked on the Hartmann site sociologygeek has pointed out to me. I have one question about that though. The website says that they are suitable for up to very heavy loss of bladder control. However, the absorbencies listed there for the Molicare seem actually lower than those for pads I have bought elsewhere. I have heard several times on websites like this one that often the absorbency given for a pad is much higher than what it will absorb in an actual wetting accident because of the way the pads are tested. I wonder are Molicare actually less absorbent or is it because of different ways of calculating the absorbency, and that their ratings are just more accurate?

Bernadette,
I've noticed that also. Doesn't make sense. The molicares I have tried are extremely absorbant. I did try a thinner molicare one time, but didn't care for it. The molicares are priced a little too steep for me, though.
I think those test are a guide using a not so realistic application. They need to try real people wearing to get the best test. Thanks for the kind words about our forum! .................Paul Martin

Thanks for your comment on the Molicare - it's interesting that you've actually found them good. As you say, for me they would also be quite expensive, certainly much more so than the ones I'm using at present. But maybe I will try to see if I could get a sample to try anyway.

I found that the Euron may not be as absorbent as I'd thought - this afternoon, I was wearing a Euron when I was out for a couple of hours, and wet more frequently than I often do. The Euron leaked a good bit at the sides - fortunately it didn't get on my outer clothes and I was able to get home quickly to change. It seems I need to use the higher absorbency in that brand to be secure, and it did bring home to me that it's better to be safe than sorry!

Hi Bernadette

One thing you need to remember is there are Molicares and then there are Molicares. If your having flood issues use the Super or Super plus ones. From the sounds of it you need a super at least.

Another thing that many people don't look at when the look at price is How long will I be able to wear a particular diaper verses the other. Like many things in life you often get what you pay for. I can go up to 12 hours with one Abena or should I say Abri form super X plus. I wear them at night mostly. But often I can put one on just before bed and then go the better part of the next morning before I really need to change. But then you need to decide wether you want to be in a wet diaper that long. If your subject to rashes that my not be a good thing Or you can wear the more middle of the road diaper's you may only get 3-4 hours. I've been very Happy with the Tena Slip Maxi. But they are hard to get on this side of the pond. If I was on your side of the pond that would be my Diaper of choice

Another thing I wanted to mention if your not already doing so it's a good idea to wear a pair of panties or mesh panties or even better yet plastic pants over your protection. It helps hold it in place and cuts down the noise of the plastic

Your right about being a women and hiding protection. Skirts are wonderful dresses are great also. I'm not much for dresses or skirts. I'm big into overalls Loose fitting jeans. Letting my shirt hang out also helps. As you can tell I'm not real up on Fashion But then I'm not in a line of work were I need to be.

On another note I wanted to suggest to you Ebay. That is where I get most of my Diapers from. If you watch Ebay you can get some screaming deals on there. But you need to be Patient.

.......................Sandy

Thats one thing i never firgured out about the absorbency rating what the heck the little drops mean. . Ive used both attends breathable standard and Tena ultra..both seem to be about the same for absorbency.. but one has 4 drops and one has 7 drops..what gives? does each drop mean one wetting? I dont know.. I suppose its difficult to measure incontinece objectively, since when you have an episode you dont s tand there waiting to catch the urine with a measuring cup LOL. And i have read that pouring water on diapers is an innacurate way to measure capacity, since urine and water dont have the same composition. Saline would be more accurate..

I guess that when manufactures make the products its a n estiameate of how much each holds.. and as sandy pointed out.. you have to consider how long you want the diaper to hold before changing..if you plan to change frequently.. abosbency isnt really that important.. thats the case for me.. my incontinece is infrequent enough that i do just fine changing after one wetting.. thus i don't need super heavy absorbent diapers.

_________________
"We cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love" Mother Teresa

"THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!" - Captain Picard from Chain of Command, Part II

Sociologygeek what you point out about the 4 drop / 7 drop ratings is something I've often thought about too! Makes it really confusing sometimes. Now, wouldn't it be really helpful if somehow one could get all the diaper manufacturers to use the same rating system when they indicate the absorbencies, so you can quickly see which products are supposed to be 'equivalent' to each other?! But then again maybe that wouldn't be too accurate because, as you've pointed out, you don't know how the diapers were tested and that can make a difference...

Thank you Sandy for all your tips. Yes, I do always wear close-fitting underwear over the protection, to hold it in place and cut the noise down as you say. I had been wondering about using plastic panties (also useful against any leaks), but I had actually been concerned that they themselves might make a lot of noise. However as you say that they actually reduce noise, I am more encouraged to try them now. That's useful to know about ebay too. And I think next time I need to purchase diapers I'll try the Abena, or probably see if I could get a sample before that in any case... I've heard several people recommend them now.

Bernadette,
In my opinion, plastic panties over my disposable diaper is a must!! I have very good luck with nylon type plastic panties from Babykins. One great thing about nylon is they are not effected by a diaper rash cream like your usuual plactic type are. Plus they will breath a bit to keep your skin a little drier. The noise of the diaper is cut down too, as you mentioned.
But the leak control is why I manly use plastic panties over my disposable diaper. .................Paul Martin

Thanks Paul. I'll definitely try them then. I suppose it didn't occur to me so much for use with disposables since they already have a waterpoof backing. I have had a couple of instances of minor leaks from the sides of the disposables I use in the past week or so, so it sounds like the plastic panties will be helpful.
Could I ask one more question though - are you supposed to change the waterproofs every time you change the diaper or is it okay to go longer with them?

Bernadette,
Good question! What I do is if there is a little leak, I'll take some tissue and dry them out. Then I'll sprinkle a little powder between the panties and my diaper to take care of any odor issues. Then I'll rinse them off at the end of the day for the next use.
I hope that helped! ..................Paul Martin

Ah, thanks Paul. I had a look in pharmacies etc for plastic panties but couldn't find any, so I'll need to order online I think! Hope you had a good weekend.