Question about poise pads or other protection

[MomofMadeline]

Hello everyone,

I am thrilled to have found this site. What a wonderful resource. Ideally it would be my daughter writing, rather than me, but I think a part of her doesn't want to spend one second more than is necessary thinking about IC. So, I am here in hopes of helping her find some answers.

She is now 16, and after four doctors and four years of symptoms was just recently, formally diagnosed with IC. She is on Elmiron and Cingulair, after having tried a whole gamut of other meds--ditropan, detrol, detrol la, and some others. She has only been on this new "cocktail" for 6 weeks, so too soon to know if effective.

Now, it's taken me to the third paragraph to get to the embarrassing question: How do people handle situations where there is not likely to be a restroom opportunity for a few hours? My daughter is in high school, and has a school trip to NYC coming up. I am so proud that she is willing to go (a year ago she would have refused), but I know she is anxious about the various walking tours of the city. Has anyone ever tried using the Poise pads? Are there other products out there better suited to IC? Any tips I could pass along to my daughter would be much appreciated!

Thank you so much.

Sharon

[KarenAnne]

I use the Poise pads myself. On this website there is a little card you can purchase that you can keep in your wallet, (I have it), & it explains you have a bladder condition & need access to a restroom. If your daughter has this, she can run in any store or restaurant & present this card to the manager & use the restroom.

Check out the "ICN Shop" at the top of this page. I wish your daughter the best & hope she has a wonderful time on her trip, she deserves it.

[kadi]

I use the Poise pads daily also. The IC restroom access card is also very useful. Restrooms that have been labelled "out of order" have miraculously become "back in order" as managers have unlocked the door for me. Great idea:)

Some portable IC friendly snacks are also a good idea. If your daughter can eat almonds, those are a great & portable snack. Some of the IC friendly granola bars for sale in the ICN shop might be good. I carry the Gorge Delights pear bars with me in my purse all the time.

The stick on heating pads are also good for travel, but don't wear them through airport security - they can set off the alarms. (Did that in Paris, rather awkward moment as I had to unzip & rip it off my undies in front of security, God & everyone...)

I hope your daughter has a wonderful and memorable trip,

[psj]

I am 22 years old, in university and was diagnosed with IC last year. I am also wondering how people manage traveling with IC, because I have some upcoming trips. So far, I have been able to manage by communicating to the people that I am traveling with that I might need to use the washroom frequently, and people have been very understanding.

I would also be interested in any tips other people have on this topic.

[ICNDonna]

I suggest you and your daughter make the adults who will be accompanying them that there is a need for restroom access --- that will make it much easier for her. She may not feel comfortable wearing pads if she doesn't have a leaking problem.

I think it's wonderful that she'll be able to make this trip.

Donna