Waterproof swimwear to avoid UTIs?

[Spotty-ewe]

At last I have tried out my waterproof shorts in the swimming pool. You can see them in the photo with a near-matching tankini top. Just to make sure I had extra protection I wore waterproof pants underneath. Both garments are intended for people suffering incontinence and both stated they were suitable for swimming. I wore a pair of normal cotton knickers underneath these so I could see how dry they stayed after my swim.

Well, I swam 4 lengths of the pool 2 on my front and 2 on my back and when I came out of the pool I had a distinct feeling of being wet where I didn’t want to be!! I went straight to the showers and sure enough everything including my knickers were absolutely sopping wet!! I was SO disappointed. So the almost £40 worth of waterproof gear was totally useless! 😭 Makes one wonder how effective these garments are for incontinence too?? !! 😳

So I can’t recommend these items as I had hoped I would, but by heck I really enjoyed being in the water again after 5 years of abstaining! 🏊‍♀️ 💦 🐳 I just hope I don’t suffer for it now. 🤦‍♀️ I took some D-Mannose tablets this morning and will take more at bedtime, so I hope that together with the prophylactic antibiotic I have to take to prevent the recurring UTIs (unless I go into the pool) will prevent another UTI rearing its ugly head. 🙏🏻 I’ve been free of them for several years now. 👍🏻

So what do I do with these useless waterproof swimming things? My hubby is planning to glue on a seal around the waist of the shorts because at present they have only Lycra at the waist whereas the legs are sealed with rubber. He has special glue for wetsuits, so all is not lost as yet. 🤞

Please pray with me that his efforts are successful because I’d so love to get back into the pool on a regular basis and for others in the same position as me to do the same. 🙏🏻🙏🏻. I’ll keep you posted if he manages to sort them out and I try them again.

[Kevin53]

The husband is the glue in a marriage!

[Spotty-ewe in reply to Kevin53]

😂🤣 So true Kevin. As long as he doesn’t come unstuck! 🤪

[Kevin53]

Lupus UK Trustee meeting today and Lupus council meeting tomorrow. It’s wonderful to see the work that our small, dedicated team in Romford undertake to raise awareness and support those with Lupus. Keep smiling. Best wishes Kevin

[Spotty-ewe in reply to Kevin53]

They do a fantastic job Kevin. 👏🏻👏🏻 I tried in my own small way today too. I spoke to the Bannatynes manager who has agreed to put up the poster showing the effects of SLE on the human body in the staff room as well as 2 A4 sized posters in public areas. I also managed to place 2 more posters in Tesco stores in Lockerbie and Annan today. Every little helps!! 😁

[Kevin53 in reply to Spotty-ewe]

It certainly does. Thank you

[maye1]

Hey, that’s really too bad that they aren’t as waterproof as advertised. But so wonderful that you got a swim in...if the rubber doesn’t work, I know you’ll find something else! I’ll keep my fingers crossed that all goes well. Xx

[Spotty-ewe in reply to maye1]

Thanks so much Maye. Yes it was wonderful to be in the water again 🐳even though I found it hard work swimming after being away from it for so long. 🐋 Thanks again for your kind wishes. 😘 Spotty💕

[maye1 in reply to Spotty-ewe]

Thanks for your inspiration! Xx

[thestorm]

Praying for you that the glue doesn't stew from that nice blue suite! Fingers crossed spotty for you!!! I love swimming to, but it doesnt love me. Pressure from the water messes with body parts, and makes my chest wall pain worse. I did diving while younger in school. So for you, swim away, it is great exercise, and therapy. Good luck vibes. Peace, blessings thestormxxx🐟🐟🤗

[Spotty-ewe in reply to thestorm]

Hi Storm,

Sorry you can’t swim either for health reasons! 👎 And waterproof swimwear wouldn’t be any help to you sadly. You must really miss it. 😟Thanks for your good wishes Storm. 🥰 Hugs 🤗 Spotty 💕

[Lupiknits]

I hope your husband can fix them for you. I long for my swimming days too! Interesting, when I did some physio in water ( the correct term escapes me) I tried a tiny swim ( tiny pool) and could have sunk like a stone!

[Spotty-ewe in reply to Lupiknits]

😂 I know the feeling Lupi! It shows how quickly we lose fitness when we don’t use it. 😝 Hoping you can get back into the water too. 🤞

[AgedCrone]

This might sound crazy...but why don’t you try them on inside out in the bath (after your husband’s glue job) because when you think about it ......incontinence pants are to keep the liquid in not out aren’t they?

[Spotty-ewe in reply to AgedCrone]

Hello AC,

That sounds a good idea. 👍🏻 My hubby doesn’t think it will make any difference as the shorts are neoprene but I’ll try and after he’s glued the latex to the waistband as a seal then trying them in the bath before I go to the pool again is a good idea. 🛀 For some reason at present the waistband is just Lycra so not waterproof at all and as Pete1 says there has been seepage from it and the waterproof pants underneath were clearly not adequate in keeping the water out and away from my skin. I’ll let you know how it goes. Thanks AC. 🤗

[AgedCrone in reply to Spotty-ewe]

Think about it.....incontinence usually goes 🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽😇 so don’t get your hopes up!

Have a look on Amazon at waterproof “sleeves” called Limbos....I used them to shower over plaster when I broke my leg...but I don't know if the do “body” sizes!

[Spotty-ewe in reply to AgedCrone]

Just looked at Limbos on-line but they only do them for arms and legs, nothing for pelvic/groin areas.☹️ Otherwise being self-sealing and fully submergible it would have been ideal. Disappointing. Thanks for giving it so much thought AC. I appreicate it. 😘

[Pete1]

Your shorts are waterproof to a certain extent but with movement whilst swimming, there is seepage of water through the waist and thigh areas. Glue may help but ultimately the water will still leak through. The only thing I know of that is guaranteed waterproof is a 'Drysuit'. They are expensive to buy but can be hired from dive/sailing shops, or try eBay for used suits. This suggestion may sound overkill but if you're desperate, give it a try.

[Spotty-ewe in reply to Pete1]

Hi Pete,

There has definitely been seepage from the waist which is only Lycra and maybe from the legs as well as you suggest. My hubby (who was a diving instructor in his youth) is going to try glueing latex to the waist as a seal to see if that makes a difference. Like you he has his doubts. 🤐

Although I can see the sense in a drysuit I think it might turn a few heads - for all the wrong reasons 😳 - with folk waiting to see what show I’m about to put on in the pool. 🐠🐳🐬🏄‍♂️

So unless I can find somebody with a private pool where I could do that I don’t think I’d have the courage to try. I’m probably stupid and too self-conscious as I’m sure it is the solution but I’d probably have a flare worrying about it. 🤦‍♀️🥴. But I appreciate the suggestion. Thanks Pete. 😄 Spotty💕

[AgedCrone]

Have you asked your rheumy nurse about therapeutic pools? Maybe they have something other than chlorine ? But I suspect they may not be very large to really swim in?

[Spotty-ewe in reply to AgedCrone]

No I haven’t asked about Theraputic pools. It is unlikely they’ll have a non-chlorinated pool locally but there is no harm in asking. Thanks again AC 👍🏻

[MariaChP]

Hi, I suffer from a similar problem and would also like to get back to swimming. I came across an offer for these shorts and I don't think it works

Were you able to somehow solve the problem so that you could get back to swimming? If so, would you suggest how to deal with it?

Thank you for any suggestions

[Spotty-ewe in reply to MariaChP]

Hi Maria, Sadly I never did get back to swimming as I’m too petrified of getting another UTI if it doesn’t work. It sounds like Pete’s suggestion of a dry suit is the best solution but apart from the expense I don’t have the courage to wear one in our local pool. 🥴 If you find a solution yourself, please let me know. Take care. 🤗

[MariaChP in reply to Spotty-ewe]

I'm trying to think of something and I'm sorry that you didn't find a solution :/ and of course I'll let you know if I find a solution

[Spotty-ewe in reply to MariaChP]

Thanks Maria. I hope you do find a solution. 🤞 Take care. x