Incontinence clamp irritation solved

While you do wear it for 18 hours a day I am sure you have to pee during that 18 hours.

They do recommend that it be removed every two or three hours and relocated. I know if I wear it for more than about three hours I start to feel it. Before that, I don’t really even notice it is on.

Interesting that you say that there is irritation, because it is new, and it has turned people off. I never noticed that and actually have not heard from anybody that has reported that. Maybe I just missed it among all the people that said they liked it.

@jeffmarc
With your new procedure I wouldn't think you would need a clamp? I forget what it's called, but thought it was working well for you.
My urologist said to stay from a clamp and gave me some reason about causing permanent damage. Forget what the damage was, but didn't sound good. I am getting better with the incontinence issue. One shield a night and it seems dry in morning, but scales usually say 1 - 4 ml heaver, but feels dry. Don't understand that,but scales don't lie. During the day usually one guard even sometimes on weight lifting days one guard will be good. Actually one day just 3 mile walk and no weight lifting the shield lasted 24 hours. And that is doing PT therapy every day. Getting better, but I still hate the incontinence.

@diverjer
You are doing great ! Your incontinence will resolve very soon completely. Those 1- 4 ml difference could be just left over droplets after you go to the bathroom (if you go during night) or just some moisture or some sweat - almost does not count ; ). If it feels dry - it is most probably dry. : )))

Keep up with good work 👍😃 !

@diverjer
You are right I don’t use the clamp anymore, but I was using it until June for at least three years. I had an AUS put in (Artificial urinary sphincter).

As little as you are leaking, it really doesn’t make sense to use the clamp unless you are really actively Exercising. That can cause a lot more leaking.

I didn’t use it for the first couple years of incontinence because it was very light flow and I needed just a thin pad. Then it got worse.

I’m not quite sure why your urologist said that. Sure, if you leave the clamp on for too long, it can cause infections and other issues. I never had any problem using it for a few years, where I usually took it off after two hours and occasionally after three.

I know some people wear it all day, That’s when you can run into problems that your urologist was warning about.

You folks probably already know this, but when I say shields I mean a small one that weighs 5 ml to started. And when I say guard I mean a bigger one that ways 19 to 20 ml when started and dry.

Been going to physical therapy once a week. They don't really do much except show me exercises I need to be doing and watch me do them. I follow the instructions and do two to three sets of three different exercises everyday at home. I guess I never been the physical therapy of any kind so I didn't know what to expect. Anyway, the exercises they gave me to do seems to be helping. Still doing my three mile walks a day and weight lifting two to three times a week. Today I went to the gym because it's raining and did the walking on the treadmill set it for 3 miles an hour.

@jeffmarc HI Jeff, I had responded to a post about new rubber pads on a clamp causing irritation because I have felt the difference in comfortability between old and new rubber pads myself. That’s what led me to look for a fix.

I forget of it was you (or someone else, who wrote that he wore a clamp racheted to maximum tightness for a few hours max. Maybe because not doing that permits me to keep it on longer? Of course I pee (every 2-3 hours) and it was your advice I followed to move the location after each time. And I think off for 6 hours at night is restorative. At least I hope it is because I’m a poor candidate for the AUS and going back to an external catheter or a half dozen soggy pads a day would send my spirit on a free fall.

I’m glad you’ve found a workable solution. I use a somewhat different approach to minimize irritation.

I reposition the clamps regularly, empty my bladder every hour or two to help prevent UTIs, and don’t wear a clamp at night—I simply use a night pad.

I also switch between different types of clamps, mainly the Wiesner and Cunningham, which have very different gripping mechanisms. I recently purchased a Pacey Cuff and plan to try it once I figure out how to adjust it properly.

To further minimize potential skin irritation, I use various skin-protectant creams, such as 3M Cavilon.

Unfortunately, my incontinence has not improved more than a year after my prostatectomy despite diligent pelvic floor exercises, so I’ll continue using these methods to manage it. An AUS implant is a possibility for the future, but I’m absolutely not ready for another invasive procedure right now.

@soli Using two different clamps is an interesting and novel approach. Initially I tried a half dozen clamps including the Pacey. Good luck getting that one to work!

We are very similar addressing this. Pee often, change clamp positions, no night use. I also occasionally smear on Cavilon, but I find the permanent tape to be less fussing around.

I’d be very interested knowing how many hours you wear it daily? Cheers.

@lsk1000

I wear it about 14 hours a day: basically whenever I am up and about, and not on my bed.