I've had a few moans about the cost of incontinence products - I've been really shocked by just how expensive they are, particularly in shops/stores that specialise in 'disability aides'
That's why I suggested, Lindy, that you look on the internet - waterproof pillow cases, which I have to use for Mil as she will use pillows to 'cover' the wet patch, were £10.99 EACH - on the internet, nearly identical product was £12.99 for 2.
I found the continence clinic really helpful, in a lot of respects - the only issue is the time factor. Incontinence can either start or worsen literally overnight, waiting up to 6/8 weeks for an intial appointment is pretty frustrating, and even if the clinic will provide some pads/pull ups, or even waterproof bedding, waiting weeks for them just isn't possible and I would imagine the majority would end up doing as I did and buying the products long before the first appointment.
I don't know what the system is elsewhere, but here Mil has been getting the day time pads advised by the clinic delivered every 3 months. When she started with night time incontinence, it took me several weeks to get her to accept pull ups and I waited to speak to the clinic about her being supplied them until she had accepted them (didn't see the point till I knew she would use them) only to find that as she had just taken a delivery of the day time pads, she would now have to wait 3 months before they could add pull ups to her supply.
My Mum has an appointment next Friday to see the nurse at the Incontinence Clinic. I requested this when I last went to see Mums doctor. I understand they don't allow you to have very many pads or pullups but anything will help. I also understand from the pharmacist theclinic may be able to give my Mum tablets so she doesnt wet herself at night. Does anyone know about these??xx
Had to comment on this one - Mil was prescribed Tolterodine by GP to help with the day time stress incontinence, later changed to Neditol. They work by causing the bladder muscles to relax while urinating, so that the bladder empties completely when the person goes for a wee, making leakage and accidents less likely. I've forgotten to mention this elsewhere, but after her seeing her consultant last month, a few days ago I got a phone call from her GP, saying that this type of medication was being stopped for her as it apparently carries the side effect of
sometimes causing/making worse hallucinations, confusion and delusions! My Mil suffers badly with delusions and we all know all about the confusion with dementia. Its possible that they haven't impacted on Mil - seen no difference since they have been stopped, don't remember her getting any worse when she started with them - but even the GP wasn't aware of this potential side effect until the consultant spoke to him, so I wanted to give people a heads up xxx