Road trip coming up

[Tesa]

Hi all, this is my first post here but I have been reading some of the threads and this seems like a great place for encouragement and ideas on how to cope with IC. First, some background on me. I have not been diagnosed with IC so I cannot say for sure that I have it. However, I have all the symptoms I’ve read about – urgency, frequency, bladder spasms, pressure in the pelvic area, and an all-day awareness of my bladder. I am going to the urologist next week and plan to discuss all of this with him so I get on the right track. I have been to my regular doctor 3 times and each time have been treated for UTI although there has been no presence of infection in my urine. Cultures and blood tests came back clean also.

Anyhow, I first noticed something was wrong in February. I had to drive about an hour away to take a test, it was raining really bad and I was nervous about the test, so I was on edge to say the least. Well I had to go to the bathroom about midway through – no big deal right, just hold it till I get to the testing center. Well, I started to have some intense spasms. The blood started rushing to my head and I seriously thought I was going to pass out while I was driving. I had to pull over at the toll booth station and beg them to let me use the restroom. That was one of the scariest things I’d ever felt in my life. I just chalked it up to test anxiety and kept going about my business.

Then later that month, my husband and I moved from Florida to Atlanta. All was fine until about an hour into the drive and then the same urgent feelings. We were driving separate vehicles and I had to stop at a rest station. My spasms were so bad that after the first stop I considered going to the ER, I thought it was a panic attack. I ended up going to a walk-in clinic and they treated me for a UTI. That threw us about 2 hours behind schedule and after that I had to stop at the restroom literally every 30 minutes. What should have been a 10 hour drive took almost a full day (and had my husband very upset with me for not telling him about my “problem” earlier).

Since then I have had the same sensations while sitting in very long meetings at work. It is very stressful to have to get up from a meeting twice in one session while everyone else manages to make it through. I have changed some things which seems to help, no more caffeine (had some intense migraines while weaning off that), watching my diet, etc. My big worry is a business trip I have coming up – we will be flying into Denver then taking a 3 hour drive to Vail, about 4 of us in one car. If I was driving myself I would not be worried about it, but having all these other people with me really has me worried about whether or not I will feel “normal” that day. What can I do to make sure I have the best trip possible? Also should I ask my Dr. for anything specific to make my RR visits less frequent during this time?

[SharonA]

My best suggestion is to talk with your car mates. Explain your health issues to them. You don't have to go into detail. Just tell them that you have a problem that might cause you to have to use a restroom more often than normal. (They will probably think you have a UTI) Chances are, they will welcome frequent breaks from the road, also. Gives everyone a chance to stretch and helps all of you arrive more refreshed and ready to do what you have to do once you are at your destination.

BTW...Welcome to the ICN

:) :) :)

[mlasorsa]

Like the old saying goes "Honesty is the best policy" You should tell your car mates. I agree that you don't have to go into detail. They will understand. It beats trying to hold it and having the spasms and possibly an accident!
Maybe when you go to your MD you could talk to him and get started on some medications, or at least do some testings to see if you have IC. You have the classic symptoms. Best of luck to you! Mary:grouphug:

[VickiB]

I have to agree with Mary's honesty is the best policy comment. My art group goes on outings, -carpooling, and I finally had to tell them how it is. I mean really, it becomes obvious to others that you're not quite normal. It seemed better just to let them know!

I stop at every wayside, or a convenience store at regular intervals on road trips. It really makes a huge difference in how well I survive the trip!

Hopefully your visit with the urologist will bring some answers next week!

Vicki

[georgecoolname]

Telling them would be o.k. or even driving your own rental if need be. I just hold it, but usually I can. I get so tired of going that I get lazy, but it's also painful and bad, so I try not to. Being able to empty completely is an even bigger challenge. Praying for you. Best of luck. Do let your doctor know what is going on, don't put it off any longer!

[elamar]

Is there a chance you can get a prescription for some anti-spasmodics before your trip? Things that have helped with that urge for me were ditropan xl. For more sudden onsets, utira-c (a generic of urelle) or prosed. They work alot faster - they do turn your urine blue so don't be alarmed! I would think your doctor shouldn't have any issues precribing any of the mendtioned meds. Good luck to you.

[omarito]

i agree with elamar that antispasmodics is helpul, Ditropan worked well for me, as for telling them, i think u should give them notice so u don't have to hold urself from going to the restroom which an cause a serious pain afterwards, sometimes you could find people more understanding than u think.