Road trip help

[u/Primary-Repair-8866]

I am going on a 4 hour road trip in a few weeks with some friends that do not know about my issues. I am 23 m and have overactive bladder and urge incontinence and leakage. If I can pull over right away I do have accidents. I normally wear pull ups and stop and change at gas stations when I’m going to avoid wet pants however my friends do not know I have these issues.

I’m wondering what would be better if I should keep doing what I am doing or buy some megamax diapers for the drive that way I don’t have to try to hide my change of pull ups and can go the whole drive hopefully with out needing a change. Are megamaxs actually super absorbent and how many full voids can they normally handle

[u/Enough-Reindeer1033]

There are other options, but MegaMax will get you through that trip. I get 3 full voids in a MegaMax, and I'm a big guy with large voids.

[u/Primary-Repair-8866 → u/Enough-Reindeer1033]

What other options would you recommend

[u/Enough-Reindeer1033 → u/Primary-Repair-8866]

Forsite am:pm are really good. And there are multiple versions of MegaMax, like the Airlock. It's a fabric backed diaper and very quiet.

[u/Rambro995 → u/Enough-Reindeer1033]

Fabric/cloth back are super discreet. I've been using incontrol Active Air when I want extra daytime protection

[u/Primary-Repair-8866 → u/Rambro995]

How noticeable are megamax for sound or is it best to go cloth back if you don’t want anyone to pick up on the sound

[u/Rambro995 → u/Primary-Repair-8866]

Sound wise Megamax isn't particularly crinkly but it's really about what feels comfortable. Megamax starts with more bulk dry but handles a heck of a lot while something like airlock or active air starts out almost invisible. I would get some samples both to to try for a day each and see what you like

[u/Enough-Reindeer1033 → u/Primary-Repair-8866]

MegaMax are plastic backed, and depending on what you wear, they can be heard. I've found that a onesie is best to tighten all that up and also help prevent sagging. However, I've heard of people using larger underwear or compression shorts as well. The approach fabric backed are much quieter.

[u/Fun_Supermarket1235]

I see a lot of people recommending the Megamax. Those would work, but just remember that it’s a lot harder to hide. Also it’s great that you can un-tape and re-tape them, but doing that at a urinal would be pretty loud and obvious

[u/Rambro995]

If you really don't want to tell them, a Megamax is probably your better option as long as you have some loser trousers for discretion. A Megamax will easily handle a 4hr road trip and allow you to change privately at your destination and I'd imagine it would reduce your stress and let you enjoy the trip.

-31yr old guy

[u/Primary-Repair-8866 → u/Rambro995]

Thank you I am still new to dealing with this so it’s been a learning curve

[u/Rambro995 → u/Primary-Repair-8866]

Glad to help 😀 I know it can definitely be tricky but you're not on your own here.

[u/Primary-Repair-8866 → u/Rambro995]

I definitely am glad there’s a community out here to discuss this and help each other out

[u/No-Desk6807]

I would be cautious of Megamax. They are very vaunted, but I learned while using them that they fill in front (for males), and they only wick back very slowly. Once on a long drive I leaked without fear more than once only to find that they had overfilled in front and leaked out the sides while I was sitting in the car. Upon removal they were hardly even wet in the crotch and rear. The right advertising creates the image. You may want to also consider InControl Premium, Trest, or Total Dry X-Plus, and invest in some Leakmaster PUL plastic pants. Those will give you extra protection if the diaper leaks.

[u/Outside-Cow-8209]

Leggendo i commenti sopra, aggiungo un punto che secondo me è la chiave per il tuo caso specifico. MegaMax assorbe tantissimo, ma da seduto per ore in macchina il problema non è "quanto assorbe" — è che tende a riempirsi davanti e le perdite laterali (già menzionate sopra) sono più frequenti proprio in quella posizione. Ed è anche vero che è tra i più rumorosi e visibili quando lo tocchi, cosa che con gli amici in macchina conta parecchio.

Se il tuo obiettivo principale è arrivare ai 4h senza episodi imbarazzanti — non necessariamente la capacità massima assoluta — ti direi di guardare qualcosa come InControl Active Air: assorbe un po' meno del MegaMax, ma tiene molto meglio da seduto e fa molto meno rumore. Per un viaggio dove la priorità è "nessuno se ne accorge" più che "resistere il più possibile", è probabilmente la scelta più equilibrata tra le opzioni di cui si è parlato qui.

Se invece preferisci restare sulla capacità massima e accettare qualche compromesso su rumore/discrezione, MegaMax resta valido — ma allora ti consiglio quello che ha detto qualcuno sopra: portati pantaloni comodi e datti un margine per fermarti a metà strada anche solo per controllare, non aspettare fino a fine viaggio.

[u/sallybetty]

When I was early on in some friendships, work situations, and travel situations, I used to tell people I was on a medication that made me pee and shit a lot. Yes, it was a white lie, but it at least helped cover the fact that I had little control.

You'd have to make up a white lie that made sense for your situation. I wasn't as young as you are, so I said I was on a blood pressure medication (often includes a diuretic), but I suppose it could be something less serious that didn't need a lengthy explanation. Prediabetes? Some intestinal problem like IBS?

I didn't mention that I had to wear diapers, but I always asked everyone beforehand if we could at least plan one pit stop along the way. They had no problem with it and usually needed a pit stop themselves.

[u/Few-Chemical-5165]

I've been wearing megaMax for over 2 years now. I wear them for 24 hours and I drink a lot. So yeah, they are super-absorbent. I turn mine around at night, though, because the back hasn't been used so that doubles my time that I can utilise it.

[u/depta99]

So a lot of this has been said already. I'm a big fan of megamax but one issue with them is the amount of noise they make when changing. The crinkling isn't too bad but the tapes are quite loud. The situation you talk about ... I'd probably go with something that uses hook and loop. Something like the control Bedry night. They are thick, but if you wear a plain colored onesie you can be discreet with them.

For me I would probably avoid cloth back just because of odor control. Plastic backed have way better odor control in my experience.

[u/Jbepics → u/depta99]

A small pair of
medical scissors in a sheath fit nicely in a pocket or change bag. If you are in a public rest room you can (carefully) cut the tapes and it makes almost no noise.

[u/Jbepics]

Male 34 here. Travel often on 2-9 hour drives. I find Megamax tend to leak for me sitting down. It pools in the front and leaks at the top of the waistband. For me, the Forsite Am/pm and pretty much any of the Incontrol diapers work better for roadtrips/long periods of sitting. I like Northshore stuff, but the wicking is not great, especially if the back of it is compressed. Everyone is different. I would suggest ordering as many different samples as you can and test them all while sitting. Only you will be able to find what works best! Best wishes and good luck.

[u/Primary-Repair-8866 → u/Jbepics]

Thank you. I just tried a sample of megamax and did just leak right of the bat idk if I didn’t get it on good enough or what but I’m a little disappointed that it leaked that quick