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My husband is having trouble holding his urine for long and I’ve noticed his underwear are stained in the front and damp.

August 22, 2019
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Answer Summary

Members discussed urinary dribbling as a common symptom in dementia progression, with many sharing that it often signals the need for... Read more

Members discussed urinary dribbling as a common symptom in dementia progression, with many sharing that it often signals the need for protective underwear and medical evaluation, including checking for an enlarged prostate or prescribing medications to help manage the issue. Several members offered practical solutions such as using thin pads designed for men, switching to adult diapers when needed, cutting the sides with scissors for easier removal, keeping wet wipes and towels in chairs and cars, and tossing regular underwear to prevent confusion. A recurring theme was the importance of maintaining hygiene to prevent skin issues like diaper rash, addressing related challenges like incomplete bowel cleaning, and finding the right balance of medical appointments while managing the reality that symptoms will progress over time.

A myALZteam Member

Speaking for myself:
At the early stage I am in I use the thinnest, pads to fit inside my panties.These would be just fine for men with dribbles. These pads come in 5-6 thicknesses if there are more than dribbles. Also much cheaper than depends or diapers. When you have a fill bladder of urine and they are not going to toilet at all,the thickest of these may not be enough. Somewhere in this time you may need to go to the depends type garment. If the incontinence includes stool also, I have found that keeping a scissor handy to wherever you change the depends type ,it's easier to cut each side to remove instead if trying to pull down over legs.
Keep wet wipes all over the house, use the flushable ones, but do not flush except in emergencies. Put bath towels in all chairs patient may sit in, don't forget car. Change out as often as necessary.
I have not seen hemorrhoids addressed before. I have some foodies. They come and go, as constipation comes and goes. Prevention is best, but we all know that depends on diet. Nevertheless this must be religiously attended to. Must be cleaned around each messy stool and then covered with preparation H. If stool is solid, and produced rather easily, can be left alone. Just watch for swelling as this indicates pain, itching, and bigger problem to come if not attended to! I have this problem and am wondering as my condition advances, how will I tell someone that my hemorrhoids need attention? Of course I can take care of that myself now, but later?
As for these endless doctor appointments, why do you need to see a neurologist at all after the initial diagnosis?
Seeing your regular Dr every 6 months is quite adequate. As long as the patient has a Dr who will prescribe meds for whatever comes along: aggression, colds, caugh, any unforseen accidents, and the usual Alzheimer's conditions that's enough, barring unforseen events. The patient will not get better, always worse.

August 22, 2019
A myALZteam Member

Urine dribbles may also be a sign of an enlarged prostate so perhaps have his dr assess him. The incontinence area of store sells pads for men to tuck inside the underwear if urine just dribbles.

August 22, 2019
A myALZteam Member

I know women and men are different, but I have finally gotten my wife to wear adult diapers. Sometimes she forgets to put a new one on after the old one gets soiled, but it really helps save her clothes. I finally had to toss all her regular underwear so she wouldn't try to put those on. Just be careful he changes them regularly because adults can get diaper rash or yeast infections just like infants.

August 22, 2019
A myALZteam Member

I have just been taking hubby in once a year. We have My Chart on phone and I can message his doctor (family medicine) if I need. For meds - I can't talk in front of him at the doctor's office anyway so why go. I send objective info if I feel I need a med change and he responds. We are not doing any preventative screening and such either. I have been taking him yearly to the eye doctor as he as a beginning cataract and to the dentist for teeth cleanings 2 times a year but those visits may be too tough soon.

August 23, 2019
A myALZteam Member

Dribbling is part of this I think took him to the Dr. and got some meds. For the dribbling it has helped. He is also going to have a cystoscope.

August 25, 2019

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