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Type 2 Diabetes, Jardiance, Boxer briefs, and Shields = Infection
As a post-prostatectomy, Type II Diabetic, I have had an unexpected negative outcome to improving my urinary continence, that I wonder if anyone else who is Diabetic has had, and how you resolved it, as follows:
Over the last eight months post-op, I progressed from diapers WITH pads inserted, to diapers only, to what are now thin Depends "Shields" for minimal "spot leaks". I went from loose boxer shorts with that diaper, to 4" boxer briefs to secure/affix the Depends shield that does not work in traditional loose boxer-briefs shorts. However, I was not used to the tighter "snug" fit of boxer-briefs. I've always been meticulous about keeping things clean "down there", and carry extra Shields in my pocket for quick changes if need be. But...
I now have a horrible infection on the underside Frenulum area of my penis due to what is, at most, a very temporary thin liquid film of urine that bathes my scrotum and underside of my penis, until I can clean up and change to a fresh Shield. I'm never wet more than 10-15 minutes, and only slightly so. I know it is due to the tighter, warmer boxer-briefs that are the perfect environment for leaked urine to set up an infection. The stimulation nerve center Frenulum has swollen to ugly red and it's as if I grew more foreskin (I'm circumcised) under there. It is swollen, red, slightly itchy, moderately painful, and enough so that I went to urgent care after 2 days. Upon examining the medicines that I take, the doctor believes that the source is my Jardiance. Jardiance is known to cause you to spill more sugar into your urine, and increase urine output. All of this time prior to using the Shields that require boxer briefs/jockey shorts, I never had such an infection in the seven prior months wearing a diaper in my traditional loose boxers. So...
The dilemma to present to my Diabetes doctor is: do I stop taking Jardiance for a while with it's known, potentially FATAL yeast infections of the perineum (my infection has not spread there yet), or...do I switch back to the more expensive, bulky, and inconvenient diapers worn in traditional boxer shorts until/if I ever become fully continent? Seems like an easy, no-brainer to switch back to the diaper. I have had this "spot/dribble/leak" type incontinence for about two months now, so I am hoping it finally resolves 100%, but if not I have to consider a different Diabetes medication, or wear those diapers the rest of my life if I remain 1% incontinent. I would have thought that if I ever get a yeast or bacterial infection down there, it would be when my incontinence and state of being wetter-longer, existed earlier post-op when I was flooding my diapers and pads (6-8 pads per day immediately after catheter removal). I am surprised and disappointed that this is happening at the "finish line" of regaining complete urinary continence. Again, any Diabetics out there who experienced this type infection, or perhaps non-Diabetics?
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Wow…the things you never think of, right? Your question got me googling and it is definitely related to the glucose in the urine and the tight fit of the boxer brief pressing the damp pad against the penis.
The Jardiance is a great drug for many reasons so you probably want to stay on that…
They recommend drinking more water (a catch22 in your situation) and urinating more frequently; don’t think this will help in your case.
I assume your dr gave you an anti fungal RX or recommended OTC one?
If you apply the ointment first thing after showering it should protect you most of the day, and changing the pads ( as you do now) will remove the sugary medium the yeast thrives on.
I used Pampers free and clean after radiation tx gave me nasty diarrhea - talk about tender tissue!😳
But they really helped since they, cleanse, soothe and are fragrance free.
You can clean yourself with these without showering or sponge bathing before you reapply the anti fungal.
I know I’m not saying anything you don’t already know - and probably do. But I did want to weigh in and acknowledge the vexing situation in which you find yourself. Best of luck,
Phil
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1 Reaction@rlpostrp, what did your doctor say? Has the infection cleared? What helps?
The infection has cleared, but it is trying to come back. I can't say if it is my sensitive, post-infection skin, or if the quality of the materials used to make the Depends Shields changed, but I also noted right before my infection, that the "softness" of the Shields was diminished...lessened. It seemed more rough and abrasive. After the infection subsided, I resumed use of the Depends Shields in a limited capacity. I find myself constantly "moving things around, and "repositioning" myself down there to get a comfortable feel. I may resort to cutting up small pieces of my soft cotton t-shirts to insert between myself and the Depends Shield to add softness. Any dribbles and leaks will still be felt, and I can discard the piece of cotton t-shirt and insert another (I can carry several in my pocket if needed). After months of voluminous urinary incontinence, I finally got myself to a point now of being 98-99% fully continent, but now this new issue came up with the Shields in my different semi-jockey style underwear. There is no relief from the challenges of this. So frustrating.
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