Embarrassing Question - Managing Enuresis in the Hospital?

[wwboy 141]

So yeah, I have an ongoing issue with nocturnal enuresis (peeing in the bed). It started several years ago and the specialists rules out all the usual cause suspects pretty quick. It doesn't happen every night but often enough that I use incontinence products as a standard rule. Changing sheets every day becomes more of a drag than changing a disposable brief.

So obviously this is an embarrassing problem and a bit of a taboo in our culture. My wife thinks I should just ignore it and let it happen if it happens. I.e. Not tell the hospital staff or anything and just deal with the eventuality (and wet pjs) if it happens. I feel like I should put it in my medical history and let them know -- and just bring my supplies along to the hospital.

My case manager says to bring all my normal sleeping clothes to the hospital and that I'll be in normal lounge wear and pjs pretty soon after surgery. I don't want to make a big deal of this - or a spectacle. But I also want to be courteous and reasonable.

In your experience. What was it like in the hospital after surgery? What do you suppose I should do here? What seems reasonable?

Thanks

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[LisaPunkinHead 187]

The people at the hospital would be appreciative if you put it in your history and even brought supplies, although they will have supplies there. And if you feel embarrassed, remember that these are professionals who have seen everything. Things don't really surprise them. But I do think it is important to let them know so that if you do have an episode, they won't think it's a complication of your surgery.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Definitely tell them.

If your recovery is anything like mine, they will have you up and walking as soon as possible, and you probably won't have a full nights sleep anyway. They seem to poke and prod pretty frequently.

Best of luck with your surgery and keep us posted on how you are doing.

[sprocket 104]

Tell them. It's much less embarrassing to clean up incontinence products than a grown adult and a bed. Frankly, no one enjoys cleaning up someone else's urine, so why possibly subject a nurse/staff to it when with a few words you could prevent any issues for everyone? Seriously, hospital staff have seen and heard of everything, and from safety and courtesy standpoints they need to know.

It's really not that different from the ladies who start their period near their surgery date. Inconvenient and embarrassing for some, but you just let the staff know, they make accommodations and everyone moves on.

Edited November 12, 2015 by sprocket

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Let me reiterate. They have seen everything. If you make them aware of the issue it will make things easier for everyone all around.

[sbg224 318]

OK take it from me, I am a nurse over 30 years. Yes we have seen and done it all, and we much rather know. To us it is just another part of the patients history and diagnosis. To you I can understand the embarrassment, but that's not how we think of it, just something we look at as another work day. I do think you should stick to your routine of what you wear to bed and bring your own supplies, just in case they do not have what you are used to or like. It really is no big deal, good luck

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,443]

@@wwboy -- Let me be the first to say, "They've seen it all." In other words, "There's little that they haven't seen."

I'd be surprised if the staff doesn't have the products you use at home, even if not the brand names.

[Bethson 6]

I had a spinal cord injury about 8 years ago and as a result have a bladder that doesn't empty completely and I have to straight catheterize myself 5 times a day. In addition, my bladder will leak at times, especially at night, so had to wear incontinence products. Managing this stuff was embarrassing at first but now it is old hat for me and I don't hesitate to tell medical people about the issue. I don't see it any different than letting them know you need to wear your glasses, put your hearing aid in, etc. It's part of a bodily function. That said, about a year ago I found out that botox to the bladder had been approved for my condition so that I don't have leakage anymore. My first round lasted three months before leakage began, the next round longer. My quality of life improved tremendously. Yes, I still have to cath and always will but the leakage was more of an issue for me. And bonus, after the sleeve and weight loss, the stress incontinence is significantly improved, even when the botox is wearing off!

[Babbs 14,680]

I had a catheter the first day or so, so you may too. Otherwise, they will completely understand so you should really not be embarrassed to tell them at all. Like the nurses above said, they have seen it all

[Zzzombrie 86]

Yup. Let them know. They won't judge you. Just another fact of life to them, a contingency to plan for. Might even let you wear your products to surgery, since you will be out of it and not in good control of your issues.

I have narcolepsy. Going under is very dangerous to me as a result. Most med pros aren't trained for this except the anesthesiologist, and they're here one minute, off the next. Staff was warned to be on alert and prepare for anything. After surgery, I had trouble staying conscious as the knock out drugs were still running through my system. Problem was I'd also stop breathing, alarms would sound, and I'd be roused by a gaggle of nurses checking vitals. Rest of the night I was supposed to walk around to prevent blood clots but every time I'd try (usually to go pee thanks to fluids IV) I'd start going into shock and the nurses had to run over a wheelchair to get me horizontal again. It was a long night and I apologized often, but I didn't need to.

Point is, they've seen it all and have dealt with worse so let them do their jobs. You should only be concerned about recovering post-op. Personally, puke is worse than urine and they see plenty of that.

[wwboy 141]

Hey thanks for the input folks. I had a conversation with my nurse/case manager and she responded very graciously to more detailed questions from me. She told me I'd be surprised by just how many people come in with this issue (and a total secret from everyone else in their lives); especially men apparently. She indicated that it will probably resolve after I lose a bunch of my excess weight (which was great to hear -- and something I'd predict as well).

I asked her about dealing with it in the hospital and as many of you suggested, and she kind of reiterated the instructions I already received: Bring my normal stuff from home; it won't be a big deal; etc...

If anyone has any other input, I'd appreciate it!

[samantha614 12]

I'm in nursing school & I think you should absolutely bring your stuff and tell them. They definitely have seen this before, wouldn't care, and would much rather you take the precautions than to have to change the soiled bed. Don't feel weird. At all.

[MichiganChic 3,262]

I've been a registered nurse 30 years. This is the stuff our lives are made of. No one will bat an eye, and just take your stuff with you and do what you need to.

[libby43 136]

Keep in mind all the fluids you will be receiving from the iv.... I was up all day and night using the bathroom. Bring more supplies than you use at home. Just a idea but you could set a alarm clock to get up and empty often that might help you from running into the embarrassment. I was hooked up to so much iv, leg pumps, blood pressure cuff,and oxygen monitor , and oxygen to my nose. Well with all the fluids and needing to get unplugged anyone could've a accident. Don't stress over this and it could happen to anyone.

Edited November 13, 2015 by libby43

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

I have bladder frequency. I was up so much they finally just unhooked my IV. I was already drinking & I wasn't using the pain pump so I didn't need it. They left the port in just in case. On a positive note, I got in plenty of walking with all the back & forth to the bathroom. ????