I have only been on the boards only once...about "the smell", but was kept going for a long time by reading the entries. I eventually burned out after 15 yrs of caregiving and had to put my husband in Assisted living. I recently brought dh back home because he wasn't getting the care he needed. Have applied for for Long Term Care @ Home. Dh is back in Day Care and we are both doing well. My question is how do you keep going after changing dh and the bed linens 2 or 3 times a nite??? This is new and may be due to a UTI...I hope. I'm exhausted this morning. Seeing DR today.
Your doctor should be able to help you today. There have been many posts about this. Search for the topic "incontinence" and also for "comments" by Divi. She is one of many experts here re. use of diapers, pads, etc.
Tish, there are several things that you can try that will help the situation. First, give him no liquids after 8 p.m. Second, put him in an extra-absorbent diaper with two overlapping Tena pads that are the super pads inside. (Or if he is in Depends, still add the pads). Third, put two extra-absorbent disposable bed pads under the diaper area on the bed. Fourth, get a rubberized felt pad to go under that.
I don't have to change sheets at all during the night. I seldom have to change the bed pads. The diaper with the two pads seem to catch it all most of the time. I do try to give him plenty of liquid in the mornings and early afternoons, and little after dinner.
Tish3, in addition to being tired from all the work you have to do, you may be depressed (actually, if you weren't depressed I would worry). Check with your doctor about antidepressents. I'm taking buproprion, and was just told to increase the dose, mainly because I was so tired all the time.
Tish3, I totally agree with marsh. It is actually the norm to be depressed to some degree. I just got my anti depressants increased and it is doing a lot better but I know that in a few months they will need to be increased again. There is nothing wrong with needing and getting extra help.
marsh--how do you tell whether the tiredness is due to the work or to depression, other than trying meds? I tried Lexapro, but that made me sleep 13 hrs a night and require a nap, as well.
I understand the up an down at night changing linens and changing DH,some nights the depends and padshold other times they do not.We have tried about all the advice and even bought plastic outer underwear and still we have wet sheets at times. I get up with him when he goes to the bathroom to make sure he is dry and that the bed is too.Sometimes we do this 6-8 times a night,so I am usually really tired in the mornings,well not just mornings,I am tired all the time too.When you get all the GOOD answers let me know!!!