Flying

[massagedoula]

I read tonight on another message board that many people's IC gets worse after flying on planes. Is this common? I am going on a 12 hour plane trip in 2 weeks and this will be my first trip since IC. Please let me know if I should expect a flare....

[ICNDonna]

I do fine flying. I suggest you call ahead to arrange for special diet consideration or take food with you. And I always ask for an aisle seat so I can easily go to the restroom. I always go just before boarding so I can make it through the take-off.

Are you going somewhere exciting? I've always wanted to go to Australia, but so far haven't made it further than Hawaii.

Donna

[kadi]

Hi there,
I do all the things Donna suggested. The only thing I'd add is I take my own bottled water. (On one flight-all they had was Dasani, which has minerals & I play it safe when traveling). Oh, if the flight is long, I take Ditropan during it (I usually only use that at night). I also pack as lightly as I can (mini sizes of everything). I even photocopy pages of my bible I want to read (leaving the book at home), so I don't strain to lift luggage.

Have a great time!

[massagedoula]

I am going to England with my husband to see his family. He has not seen them since our wedding 2 years ago. Also his best friend is getting married. I am staying 2 weeks then flying back by way of NJ to see my family. He is staying in England an extra week to go travelling around to see his friends in various parts of the country, which I think would be too stressful for me to do, and I want to see my own family anyway. We fly back to Seattle on the same day and will meet in the airport.

But that means that I have alot of flying to do alone....I requested a seat on the aisle (I have done so my entire life, even before IC) and a seat a few rows from the bathrooms, so I would be able to have easier access if the beverage carts were going up the aisles....

I asked about meals but they have nothing that they could guarantee would be Ok for me to eat so I guess I will bring food, or eat whatever I can from what they give me. I will definetly bring lots of water...I will have to find water in the UK that is safe for me to drink, too! I think that they will have Evian but that is too expensive for me to drink all the time.

[massagedoula]

PS, Kadi, does Ditropan actually work to just take it once and it will stop the urge and frequency? I asked my doctor about it recently but she said that it is not for IC, it is just for OAB, and that you can't just take it once in awhile, it has to be taken reguarly for it to work. If you know differently, please let me know. Frequency is my main and and now almost only symptom I have that bothers me.

[Annie2]

Massagedoula,

Ditropan and Detrol are both meds used to control frequency. There are a couple of other newer meds in this class, too. I believe all have to be taken daily to be effective. Many doctors suggest ICers try these meds first before trying anything else. Like everything else, it helps some people, does nothing for others and still others have problems with retention with these meds. I tried Ditropan and couldn't tolerate it but then tried Detrol LA and it helped me a great deal. Others can't take Detrol but Ditropan helps...and so on. How frustrating it is to constantly have to say...WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT!!!

A couple of other suggestions for your trip...You might want to take along some stick-on heating pads to use if you need heat while traveling. Also, if you have a cushion from the ICN Shop, take it along to sit on. Airplane seats can be firm and uncomfortable to sit in for long periods of time. A cushion might also help dampen vibrations from the aircraft that can be irritating. Be sure to keep sipping water as flying can be very dehydrating. And, as others suggested, it would be a good idea to take along your own food because there is often little, if anything, safe for ICers available on commercial flights.

Hope you have an absolutely fantastic trip!

Annie

[ICNDonna]

I suggest you contact the airline ahead of time to be sure you can take bottled water on the plane. The security regulations may not allow liquids --- I know my daughter-in-law had her liquid medication taken away from her in the airport before she could board the plane. They told her liquids aren't allowed.

Donna

[mags]

PS, Kadi, does Ditropan actually work to just take it once and it will stop the urge and frequency? I asked my doctor about it recently but she said that it is not for IC, it is just for OAB, and that you can't just take it once in awhile, it has to be taken reguarly for it to work. If you know differently, please let me know. Frequency is my main and and now almost only symptom I have that bothers me.

I have frequency too!! I have tried ditropan and detrol and can't take either because it causes retention for me.

[massagedoula]

I only tried Detrol LA back when this all started...and it made me feel horrible, like I was stoned and in a brain fog plus it made me really nauseous. It was a high-ish dose, I think 10mg...I couldn't get back to normal for hours so it really scared me from trying Ditropan, though I guess maybe I should ask for a sample to try it next uro appt, if it sounds like one may work more than the other. I thought they were pretty much the same thing!

But for the trip I guess I will just try heating pads and water and safe food and lots of books to keep busy! I was told that if I took a sip of my water in front of them (last time I went thru airport security) then I could bring it on the plane...I guess they have to make sure it is not poison that way....but good idea to keep a watch out for that problem.

[kadi]

Hi all,
I didn't answer this sooner because I was travelling:) I just got back from a week's trip to Vancouver, BC. Out of the 8 days I was on vacation, IC flares were problematic for 1-1/2 days. So, overall, pretty successful I'd say!

About the Ditropan: I do take 5mg every night; when I add one, it's on a flare day. It does not "fix" the IC, but I do often get spasms (like a butterfly flipping around in my bladder), especially at night and it does stop that. It doesn't work any great miracles for me, but does reduce the urgency that can accompany a flare, which makes waiting for a restroom less problematic.

On the water issue, if the bottle is sealed, I've had no trouble with it on any of the 3 trips I've taken since Dec. If the bottle was open, the security screeners have asked me to take a sip in front of them.

Hope you have a fabulous trip!

[VickiB]

I've never had any problem bringing my own bottled water on a fight so far. But I believe I remember having read on the airline security page some time ago that it's not allowed through the screening area. I thoroughly expected my water to be taken and figured I'd have to cruise the little stores in the gate area in search of a suitable brand. (that was my back-up plan, thankfully un-needed!)

Another thing I'd take is some AZO or Uristat if they work for you, as well as panty liners in case you have to take it. I think it's real important to wear loose, comfortable clothing.

I always worry that my bladder is going to pick that situation to go into flare mode, but it hasn't happened yet. As much as I hate using the restroom on a flight, I make sure I keep drinking (and peeing) so my urine doesn't get the chance to concentrate.

I hope you have a wonderful time over in England and visiting family in NJ!

Vicki

[poetgirl]

I fly all the time and most of the time, I don't have a problem at all. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing (nothing that constricts the waist or belly), and take the opportunity to use the restroom just before you board the plane. As Donna suggested, request an aisle seat. You may even want to check beforehand to find out what type of plane you'll be flying and where the lavatories are located for quicker access. They may accomodate you if you go to the ticketing desk or boarding gate early enough and ask to switch your seat to be closer to the lavatories.

Also, try to stay away from salty foods prior to flying. I find it makes me incredibly bloated if I consume salty foods before a flight. Take a book or some music with you to keep relaxed and mentally occupied. Some women find it helpful to have one of those stick-on heat packs during flight to keep the bladder calm, but don't put it on before going through the x-ray machine!

You will still need to consume some water (either sometime during the flight or soon after) because the air is very dehydrating.

Enjoy your trip!

[csocain]

Great suggestions from everyone. When I had to fly this year, I took my own water and food because my diet is so severely limited due to IC and other related conditions. I wear an interferential unit and had to go through security in a more detailed procedure. They were great about it and I even had the opportunity to tell them about IC. They even asked questions about it! (One more opportunity to spread the news about IC!) Since I could not walk from terminal to terminal myself, I requested the assistance of a wheelchair. Boy, the folks who taxi you from one gate to another in a wheelchair are so wonderful. One young man even stopped at Wendy's and stood in line to buy me a plain baked potato. THAT was a very special gift to me. I was so hungry and needed something real bland. Flying is not easy for me since IC, but I have certainly been blessed on the two trips that I had to take this year. Lots of loving care showered upon me.

You'll do fine on the trip. Have a wonderful time and say hello to England for me. What a neat trip that would be. Blessings!