Lately mum's incontinence nappies have started to literally explode / disintegrate all over. I’ve never caught it, so not sure what is happening but I’ve now had the joy of cleaning up the urine-soaked gel-like substance from all over the carpet / floor / bed, etc. Like a literal explosion! It’s gross and it’s damn hard to clean! You have to wait for it to dry before you can vacuum and then follow with carpet cleaning / laundry.
I take it these incontinence pants are getting full, but we change them quite often and right before bed. Admittedly, it typically happens in the morning when she wakes up. Am I meant to be changing her incontinence nappy in the middle of the night?? I don’t really want to start waking her up as then it’s really hard to get her settled again.
Is there something I can put over the incontince pants to avoid this? I have a feeling it’s not happening completely on its own and that she is somehow fiddling around with it too. Today the explosion was all over her bedroom carpet, bed and part way through to the bathroom. It’s almost like she’s had it in her hand and started a pillow fight with it, banging it around (I’m sure she hasn’t, but best way to describe it).
I have heard of baby nappies exploding when too full...
These are the maximum absorbency and just wondering what I can do to protect this from happening? As I said, we change them often (and when I do they are honestly not that bad). But this is obviously happening at night! I allow her to sleep in (i.e., I don’t have a set time that I wake her up).
I’d prefer not to have to wake her up in the middle of the night for a change but is that what others do? Help! I’m sick of the urine smell!
Also, cut Mom off from liquids after about 6 pm.
Advised to try 3 things;
1. buy higher absorbent products, if not already. (My LO using pull-ups - thicker depends wrap around style was suggested).
2. Place booster pad inside. (Another pad/nappy without plastic backing is best). This can be removed in several hours to extend the life of the main item.
3. Dr checkup. To discuss this change of excess urine at night. (Look into fluid retention, possible heart issues, other medical issues).
If no cure is found - aim to contain. Thicker pads, extra pads, mid night pad change.
(A co-worker was so ferocious on this subject that she threatened a client's husband with an Adult Safeguarding referral if he persisted in doing it - I was standing behind her thinking "gosh, steady on..!" But she was right.)
It's possible you have a bad batch. Has the problem been going on long?
Meanwhile I really wouldn't buy them from the chemist - if you're not happy to shop online, can you get to a decent sized supermarket or CostCo, somewhere like that?
Are these pads, or pull-ups, or what?
PS - for example, you can get a case of 64 size medium 800ml capacity (i.e. absorbs up to 800mls of urine) tearable pull-ups for £29.99 - I don't know how that compares with what you're paying?
https://www.incontinencechoice.co.uk/female-incontinence-products/disposable-incontinence-pants-for-women.html
The information for each product includes how much it absorbs in liquid capacity, and that's what you should be looking at. Ignore blurb like Super, Night-Time Max, MegaWee or whatever else their marketing teams have come up with - what you need to know is how much that pad can mop up and hold.
This site also quotes price per item. So to repeat, I can't speak for their products or service but I am quite impressed with their clarity.
Ref the exploding puzzle - she's probably trying to take it off and tearing the lining. Have you watched how she's doing that, if not can you? Guide her through it and you might solve the problem.
yes I suspect she’s somehow fiddling with it but have not caught her in action yet. It’s because as I said, I allow her to sleep in and wake up naturally. It’s literally the only time I have for myself and also she’s a bit slow to get started so I have found if she wakes up for a bit before I get the day rolling and start prompting her, she’s been better. Otherwise she can get a little startled. I’m thinking of motion activating the camera in her room to catch what happens/alert me to movement. The lengths you go to. I’ve put smart lights in her room as well so I can control them from wherever I am as well as her outlets. Wish I had a smart robot to clean up the exploded nappies!
If I were you I'd go in when you get up, gently wake her for a toilet transfer and pad change, then help her back into bed: you should still get your quiet time, only without the horrendous mess to clear up and without all the monitoring devices. Does she have a bedside commode?
As long as you go about it quietly, don't draw the curtains or turn on any bright lights, and give her full support she won't fully wake up and she should actually sleep better.
Anyhow, Ill try having the energy to go to her prior to my morning coffee ;) just been so burnt out,... as we all are,..
Thank you for your tips
Top liners are different than the type of pad that has a waterproof bottom liner. Top liners allow the liquid to absorb slowly and filter through to the bottom pull up. The waterproof pad can keep the liquid against the skin but if that’s what you have you can slice the waterproof lining to allow for drainage.
When using either type of pad, if you first reduce the adhesive side it is easier to pull off. Or, rip OUT as the case maybe 🤔
The helpline can give good advice of product type, absorbancy & maybe brands.
Continence Clinics are attached to some public hospitals - depends where you live. The helpline can advice on this too.
Did I read you were in Aus?
Is it the same box or bag of briefs (nappies)?
If so it might have been the fault of the manufacturer.
I would call the 800 number or whatever number is listed for Customer Service and explain the problem.
If you have to wake her at night changing her in bed would probably be easier and safer. It does take practice and she will most likely fall right back to sleep. And if the blow outs are only happening at night it sounds like you might have to start changing her at night. (I would change my Husband about 4 am) It does not sound like a "product failure". If there are more absorbent products you might want to try those at night.
You can try putting underwear over the brief (nappies) that would at least contain any blowout of gel like substance but if it is wet it will get wet. There are disposable liners intended to be placed in a brief that will absorb more. And there are washable ones as well.
What is a Top Liner? I tried looking it up and just got a bunch of adds for diapers.
Thank you for a response.
Pam
night-time urine. Upon call to supplier, the company admitted that a new "gel" was
being substituted due to supply chain issues. We now have added another "bladder pad"
to the original pull up, and are thankful for success. Such a sin to the landfill.
I sent you a message with info on the TopLiners. Here it is again if anyone else needs:
Here is better description and an Amazon link:
Tranquility TopLiner Disposable Booster Pads - Super (15" x 4.25") - 25 ct, Peach https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IOR5G6E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_i_35WYXEF3N95VEZ0XNT5M
My mother used to wear two night time Adult Depends to bed for the just in case.
You could try getting a waterproof, nylon brief to go over the diaper. If you're having a problem with mom getting into her diaper, try taping it on. I've had care clients with dementia who would get into their diapers and make a terrible mess. We would have to make a belt of duct tape around the diaper snug enough that they couldn't get a hand in. Then when it's time to take it off, use a pair of rounded-point safety bandage scissors to cut the tape.
Since the urine problem is only at night, you could try getting one of those PureWick systems. I've heard good things about those.
I would not discourage her from drinking though. That's healthy if she's eager to drink because it helps prevent UTI's.
Try the diaper with two incontinence pads in it. That might do it. If not check out one of those PureWick systems.