Traveling and Protection

[chainsaw]

I was just wondering if I could ask a "personal" question regarding the type and styles of "protection" people use when traveling so if you get stuck in a traffic jam, or stop someplace does not have a "public" restroom and if you don't know right now, then you could be in trouble.

I have a friend who has IC and she uses some of the Pads from Depends, I think, but she also has something that she carries in the car. It is plastic, with a handle and it is made for women so they can sit and pee in it when traveling. I don't understand how that works?

If there are those of you out there who would not mind answering this. Has anyone found the best or pant to wear to protect you just in case you can't hold it? Also, what about those things made for women to pee in when traveling (like I mentioned above) or has anyone used something like they have for little kids when traveling which is like a blow up little potty?

The one thing I don't understand is how can you use one of those plastic things or potty when traveling? Would't people driving beside you in another lane be able to see what you are doing? How do you do it without drawing attention to yourself?

We are heading on vacaction in September and I am trying to get ideas on what pads or pants are the best or would one of those other things be better.

Sorry for any misspellings, I couldn't figure out how to use the spell check for this.

Thanks for your help!
Kim (chainsaw)

[ICNDonna]

The ICN Shop carries a "fit in your purse" item called a Travel John. I always carry them with me when we travel. I can't consciously urinate in a pad so it wouldn't help me to wear any kind of incontinence panty. I find I'm most comfortable traveling long distances if I wear a loose fitting skirt or dress. So far I've done fine if we just stop frequently at rest stops when we're on the road.

Donna

[chainsaw]

Donna, how do those Travel John's work? Do you have to blow them up or what?
Kim (chainsaw)

[ICNDonna]

No blowing up. They have a solid plastic top that's oval in shape and contoured to fit the female anatomy. There's a plastic bag attached, which contains an absorbent substance that will absorb quite a bit of urine. You use it by pressing the contoured top against your perineum. After you have urinated, you can then blot with a piece of tissue and tuck it into the bag too. Before use they are small enough to tuck into your purse; when I finish using one, I just put it into a plastic grocery-type bag and discard.

Donna

[Jean12]

http://www.ic-network.com/images/presidentsaward2006.jpg

I use several different things when I travel. First I always travel in a sundress or loose fitting skirt. I always keep one of those blue disposable incontinence pads on the seat and have a supply in a plastic grocery bag. My husband usually does most of the driving so that leaves me with the flexibility to use several devices whichever fits the moment. I use the travel john and I don't worry about any leaking in case I don't have it positioned right because I have the pad under me. With the dress or skirt it is easy to pull underwear down but sometimes I've gone comando to make it easier. I have a female urinal as well but it is not easy to use in a moving vehicle.

I handle the privacy issue in several ways. I always carry regular baby diapers with me in the van. A sundress and comando is the best way for me. I can easily slip the diaper underneath me (I don't try to wear it) and I'm able to pee right into the diaper with no detection for the outside world. I'm not sitting in some wet undergarment or feel like I smell like urine. I keep regular underwear in the glove compartment so that when we stop for gas, lunch stretching etc. I can easily slide them on and walk with confidence. I don't worry that the wind might lift the dress or a child pull it up or some other disaster. I always wear cotton knit sundresses whenever I can because the skirt can actually be slid totall behind me and I don't worry about it getting wet, but if it does I have a pair of pull on shorts I can throw on put a little fresh water from a water bottle on the spot, blot and it dries quickly. No one gives you a second look if you discard a wet diaper in the trash either at a rest stop or ladies room. We also have a van with tinted windows so peepers don't really get a good look when on the road. I do have a towel, sheet, blanket - anything along that line to throw over my lap if I need more privacy than I feel I can pull off discreetly. I also have a bedpan that I keep in the van at all times. That can be slid under me as well and it is there as a back-up in case. More awkward than the diaper method but it still works okay. Campmor sells a little frame with a toilet seat. The whole thing folds like a tv tray. You slip a plastic garbage bag over the frame and viola (sp?) instant toilet. It only stands about 14 inches high so with a van seat removed we have an instant toilet. Use a sheet or blanket over your lap and modesty is left intact. Even if the vehicle is moving if you have a van and the unit is on the floor passers by don't know if you are sitting on a seat or the toilet. The thing only costs $10. I put a small amout of clumping kitty litter in the bottom to help with absorbancy and odor if on a long trip. I have IB/D so there has been more than once I was caught on the road with no where to stop and believe me getting cleaned up from those disasters was not pretty.

If you don't have sunscreen glass in your vehicle those little window shades you use to shade the baby's car seat work well too. They can be left up and then pulled down when necessary. It blocks the view enough and no one thinks twice about seeing one pulled on a car. Combined with the pad on the seat, a dress or skirt and a towel for the lap it works fine. Ultimately, I figure I'm in a lot of pain and distress when I have to resort to these measures and quite frankley, at this point I don't care. I don't know those people who may see me and I'm not likely to see them ever again any way. All of these methods and devices work well when traveling with children as well, so if you have little ones you can pull over when you need to and let them do their business. Makes for a much happier trip and no one cares if the see a little one sitting on a pot in the car anyway. This is actually better than the potty chair I used to travel with when my kids were young. The little toilet seat folds flat and is easy to store. If you have a van and have the room you can either leave it left up or fold it when done.

When parking at rest areas we always park away from where everyone else is if possible so any personal needs like putting myself together or any cleaning up can be done somewhat discreetly.

Best of all I can travel with little stress about bathroom stops therefore my bladder doesn't act up as badly as if I am worried about how I'm going to manage.

Jean

[chainsaw]

Hi Jean,

WOW! You do go prepared. I would never have thought of some of that stuff that you mentioned. We don't have a van, we usually drive our little Saturn for our trips, especially with the gas prices. The car is very small, for 2 adults and a 2 1/2 year old. I HATE that car. When we bought the car, we never planned on adopting a little girl.

Thank you for all of your suggestions.
Kim

[windwalker]

I have the same thing as Donna, the Travel Johns. lol also a roll of toity paper and wet naps (gotta clean the hands lol) and a bag to put it all into.

[icnmgrjill]

Love this thread. I carry, in my car, atleast one three pack of travel johns and a popup tent so that we can pull over and use it if needed. I LOVE the idea of using the diaper underneath you... I always have told people to carry a garbage bag with a towel inside for an instant, emergency void... but the diapers are a much better, more hygienic option! Bravo. Jean 12 has earned the President's Award today for her many great ideas!

Jill :)

[Trishann]

I have grandchildren and never came to my mind about the diapers. Great ideal.
I love it.

Trishann

[Sarojini]

Wow, I never thought of the diaper thing... may have to carry some for absolute emergencies. :)

[MeganAnne]

Good ideas! I also travel with a little safety pack: hand sanitizer, toilet paper, and a travel john. I've never had to use the travel john, but it makes me feel better when it's there. When I'm less stressed, my bladder doesn't hurt as bad. I've considered wearing depends (at 25! Can you imagine?) on subways and what not, but haven't yet.

[med_head_09]

i have used a towel like the diapers, putting it under me while i lift my skirt, but that is a much better idea...easier to dispose of. i always wear a skirt as well and keep a towel or pillow or somerthing to cover my lap, and pads, but like donna i cannot consciously pee on a pad. i know they never hold enough, so i end up a mess anyways. i would be nervous about using the travel johns, but they have gotten good reviews.

[Angelhrt]

I travelled this summer to Myrtle Beach from Maryland with my family and thank God I had them. I was able to pull over on the shoulder and go. We got there a little late because of my constant bathroom stops. But I went to NY recently by myself and turned a 3 hour ride into a 6 hour ride due to bathroom stops. While on the highway in NY, the traffic was backed all the way up, I had to pee soooo badly I thought I would die if I didnt get it out. Fortunately, I had a coffee cup in my car, so I pulled down my pants while driving and put my cup under me along with a jacket to protect the seat and went. I didnt care who saw me in the other lane, because that is how bad I had to go. I would have stopped my car in the middle of traffic and got out and stooped and peed, but there probably would have been an accident. I kindly poured out the first cup and filled up the other and poured that out of the window as well. Hey, I was in NY, nobody cares. When I got to my mom's house, she told me that I needed to use Depends. I think I will for the next trip.

[Claredale]

And they say we can't drive and use phones at the same time. LOL

I don't have the urgency that bad very much anymore, but I am glad I read this thread. I always get very nervous when I think about traveling any distance. Before my implant, I would have to stop 3 times on the way to work which was only a 25 minute drive. I am going on a 3 1/2 hour trip on Saturday and I am already getting antsy!

Great info!!