Best way to conceal Incontinence Products at work?

Posted by jayhall @jayhall, 3 days ago

I work in a large building and we have two large central bathrooms. We don't have any private bathrooms anywhere and we have no lockable private bathrooms. Occasionally my leakage gets to the point that I need a thin pad. I have a cache of thin pads locked in my one and only private cabinets. I have a small cloth bag that I put my pads in along with some " Dude wipes", etc. Almost every time I have leakage and I go to put a pad in either on the way to the bathroom or on my way out someone notices my little bag and either gives me a look, or worse asks me what's in the bag. I usually tell them "personal items" and walk away. I'm getting tired of being asked etc. I can't take my backpack in there cause that would be even worse. I don't have a Murse or man bag. I thought the little cloth bag would not be noticed but apparently I'm the topic of some conversations about what's in my little cloth bag. If you take pads, etc to work how do you transport them to the bathroom? I can not put one in my underwear in my office. I have a huge glass door. I also don't want to put one in my underwear everyday and waste them. Suggestions?

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It seems you are creating an impossible situation for yourself. On days that I am going to be out and about I just put a shield pad on and go about my day. Spare in my pocket if needed. Sitting on certain surfaces seems to bend my bladder neck and cause leaking. Whip cream nozzle effect. Pads and shields are very inexpensive and bring me confidence that is priceless. You could change it in a stall and non-chalantly put it in the trash in the rest room and wash your hands like you own the place. I doubt seriously that anyone really cares. And if they do? So what, that is their problem. Don't make it yours.

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I just quit worrying about it. I wear the condom catheter all day. If anyone asks , I tell them I had prostate cancer. Simple and done. I dont hide it and they quit speaking to me or dont ask. I see myself as lucky thats all I have to deal with. I was at the skin Dr the other day and a guy walked in wearing a bag with a pair of shorts. I sat next to him and said prostate cancer. He said no bladder cancer. He said I am wearing shorts and dont give a sh.. what someone else thinks. That might not be appropriate at work but more the attitude I take.

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Profile picture for peterj116 @peterj116

You guys are lucky.
One day I left a massive (unused) 6-drop pad in a laptop bag.
I had a pile of extra laptop bags & one of the other sites asked for some spares for their users.
They emailed pretty much everyone in Helpdesk that they found an "adult diaper" in a laptop bag.
Everyone would have known it was me & I was mortified.

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@peterj116
Oh Peter lol, made me laugh this morning and I do not laugh often those days ; ). But what cracked me the most is this cover design for MoliCare LMAO - WHY the NOSE above the pad ??? Yes, "odor control", BUT do we really have to have "visual" prop to get the point LMAO ? Whoever worked in marketing of MoliCare is devoid of normal human response to visual cues 🤣

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It depends on how many pad changes you need per day. I personally carried two pads in my front pants pocket, or occasionally one in my front pocket, and one in either of my two, button-closure rear pockets. They are barely noticeable...the one in the rear pocket not even showing as much as a wallet does. And...(other idea)...
It would be temporary, but you could wear a small hip-pack around your waste. I see a lot of guys walking around in everyday life who wear hip-packs to store their phone, wallet, keys, etc. Believe me, after a week or less, people in the office who initially noticed the hip-pack, won't notice at all. Go to your local REI Co-Op or other Cabella's/Bass Pro Shop and find a suitable, small hip-pack in color black so it is neutral. Red, Camo, Blue, or Green will draw unnecessary attention to you of course. Black will blend well with black or navy blue dress pants. You could buy a gray one too to wear if/when you wear gray pants to work. And finally...
I am now only wearing thin "Shields." I can easily get two of these flat little guys into my front pocket, and front zippered pocket of my casual Vuori shorts. They don't even show. You'll eventually progress to Shields, and all will be well. I am actually at the point that I rarely if ever need to make a change to a fresh one while out on 2-6 hours of errands and activities. The only time I change one is after a work out, before I leave the gym...so I feel completely dry/fresh walking out. Certain exercises cause me to ever-so slightly squirt/leak. Good luck!

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Hey I have an idea I don’t know how much bulk your items take up. But I think start wearing a fanny pack. I’ve seen a lot of men put their keys wallet etc. That might work. Do you have your own desk? You could put an emergency change of underwear or whatever. You know I want to share something with you. I’m urine incontinent I was using 5 pads a day. A pad would last on best 3 hours. I really didn’t want to go out with friends because of fear of this. One night I layed in bed and prayed if God could please give me some relief from my problem. I usually pray but not like this time. I asked God to show me a way. The next day I went over all the things I eat and drink in the course of a day. I found that I truly was cheating little bit here little bit there. Well I decided to cold turkey not to eat or drink those things. I faithfully did this and now I can go sometimes on a pad or 2. Big difference every 3 hours 5 pads a day. I know this is off the subject of your problem but with God’s help we can make it. I have stage 4 cancer but God has carried me through the tough times I don’t deserve. Just remember never give up and think and seek. That’s what you are doing. I hope you solve your problem let us know it’s great to hear good news no matter how big or small.

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I guess the standard reply of "why do you want to know?" won't work. How about wearing a vest, sweater or jacket with large pockets?

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Some of the bathrooms I find seem to just have a little wastebasket that is really part of the paper towel dispenser. The wastebasket is right below the towel dispenser. But some have one regular trash can by door as you go out. I am able so far to make things work if it a single bathroom that you lock the door, problem is when you have restroom that is for multiple people.

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Profile picture for surftohealth88 @surftohealth88

@peterj116
Oh Peter lol, made me laugh this morning and I do not laugh often those days ; ). But what cracked me the most is this cover design for MoliCare LMAO - WHY the NOSE above the pad ??? Yes, "odor control", BUT do we really have to have "visual" prop to get the point LMAO ? Whoever worked in marketing of MoliCare is devoid of normal human response to visual cues 🤣

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@surftohealth88 Oh, I never noticed that, before. It must represent all those people being nosy.

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Profile picture for diverjer @diverjer

Some of the bathrooms I find seem to just have a little wastebasket that is really part of the paper towel dispenser. The wastebasket is right below the towel dispenser. But some have one regular trash can by door as you go out. I am able so far to make things work if it a single bathroom that you lock the door, problem is when you have restroom that is for multiple people.

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@diverjer
Oh I see - so are all man restrooms without stalls than ? 🤯 I would not be able to "go" without privacy - no way Jose !!! But if there is a stall who cares what you threw in garbage can ? Say my Wegovy pen or my insulin syringe.

Still crazy that anybody would observe other people in bathrooms, especially somebody's "private parts"- I find that highly rude and even perverse. I grew up in Europe where nudity is considered normal and natural, erotic only when it involves love making.
Still, nobody stares or ask personal questions. I would sooner die than ask another lady "sorry what is that peeking out of your privates" ! And now you guys tell me that people not only observe but ASK ???? 😱 I mean, asking a total stranger anything about private or personal nature is so rude and just indecent. So the comment would not be "why are you asking", but "sorry, you really ask very incident questions" or "why do you stare at my private parts" followed with concerned and stern look ?

This world is in beyond repair, honestly ...

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At work, I just requested the same pad disposal unit that the Ladies has. Wasn't easy to ask, but it works. I just put a new pad in my pocket, go into the stall with the disposal bin & change pads. Either that, or find an accessible toilet. They all have the pad disposal units.

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