Plane travel - any tips appreciated

[kywoman17]

Sunday, I am going to fly from Louisville, KY to Tampa, FL, changing planes in Atlanta, then flying back the next day for work. :(

I've read some of the tips and here's what I plan to do ... Don't drink much that day, try to get enough rest beforehand, watch what I eat, take pyridium, wear a pad, sit in an aisle seat (except for one leg of the trip when I have to take a middle seat):rolleyes:

Are there any other suggestions of how I can make the best of this? :confused:

Thanks!

[jaime15]

I flew from my hometown to Texas back in Jan. It was a two hour flight. Luckily I tried not to worry about how many times I would have to pee. And I only had to one time on the plane and again at the airport when we landed. (I was more nervous about how my two year old would act...:lmao: )
If it helps with explaining Ic for you, you might think about purchasing the bathroom access card. Sometimes they have been handy for patients. Most flight attendants are pretty nice...I haven't came across one yet who wouldn't let me go.
I don't know that I would say don't drink much that day. It could be bad for the bladder if you get a little dehydrated..?? I can get a flare going sometimes if I drink less.
I hope you have a good trip and can enjoy a little FL sun!!:hi:
Post again and let us know how you did....

[yvette]

well Sounds like you've got it covered! :D Perhaps try and get a seat close to the bathroom too (?) Wear comfy clothes like stretch pants or sweats and wear comfy shoes too...heels can put stress on your lower back and in turn irritate your bladder. I found having my discman and CD's made the time pass quickly....hope you have a good time....Just sit back and relax and have fun! :flower:

[PikkuMyy]

When you change planes, are you just going right from one to the other, or is there a layover time?

If there is layover time, or for those of you with layover flights with a few hours in between, here's my experience:

When I was 16, I flew from Jackson, MS to NYC with a layover somehwere around Atlanta. I had my period and as a teen I had it really badly with bad symptoms like migraine and nausea and horrible cramps. Near the end of the first flight, I felt like I was going to faint and was in awful pain. When we got to the airport for the layover time, one of the airline staff helped contact someone at the airport who took my father and me to this beautiful quiet, dark room away from the hustle and bustle with a comfy couch and small light. I was able to lie down and get some sleep there before the next flight. It made such a difference, I was so grateful.

So, for anyone with such time, perhaps contact the airline/airport and find out if there is such a place to rest if you are flaring a lot and need to rest.

Emily

[ICNDonna]

If you'll be eating a meal on the plane, be sure to let the airline know ahead of time about diet restrictions. I goofed just once and there wasn't anything on the menu that wasn't loaded with tomato! Never again --- I was starved by the time the flight was over.

Donna

[dyno]

I saw someone mention recently about not being able to use the bathroom on the plane. If you have a travel john in your purse, you would only need the room for privacy, not the facilities. Have a good flight.:)

[kywoman17]

I have one of the bathroom cards, now I will make sure I have it handy... just in case I need it.

There's only about an hour between flights in Atlanta, so I'll have time to hit the bathroom (a couple of times) and get to my next flight.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll let you know next week how it all goes.

:dogrun:

[Donna L]

Question for ICN Donna. What airline gave you real food? I fly to California from IL a few times a year, and all I've
gotten lately are "bistro bags" (American Airlines) I don't know what "bistro" they got them from, but I would never willingly go there. I purchase from the airport. Last minute Micky D's or a sandwich from the airport vender (expensive, as sandwiches go)ANYTHING but the bistro bag:shake: :shake: When I book my flight (and I do it early) I tell them I need a seat near a restroom. I also ask for flights with just two seats on each side of the plane rather than three across. Usually those are towards the very back of the plane, right near the bathrooms;) ;) ....Donna L

[jaime15]

Donna L: Any time I have flown with Delta, it has been a regular meal in a styrofoam box....not too bad, when you're hungry.
I've also done what you have by prepurchasing what the airport has to offer. Those flights were more than two hours in length. When I flew Continental it was only peanuts.

Maybe ICNDonna will come along soon and answer you also.:)

[Donna L]

Thanks Jamie, I'll check to see if Delta flies from O'hare to San Francisco:hmm: .........Donna L

[liz2]

Not only do I carry a bathroom card, but I also have a short request note from my doctor. It is written on his letterhead stationery. It has allowed me restroom access and going to the front of the line when there is a long line. My husband was also able to get a very late hotel check out time when we had a late departure time. I keep the letter in its envelop and always carry it in my purse. It is updated yearly.

If you have too much trouble walking in an airport, why not request a wheel chair. This has to be done through a travel agent or you may be able to deal with the airline direct. I have done it both ways.

[Donna L]

KYWoman:hi: Have a great trip I envy you. I used to live in Fl. West Palm Beach, and Port Charlotte. Hope your flight is totally mishap free:) Donna L

[ICNDonna]

My last flight was on Alaska Air --- they still serve hot food. I couldn't eat what they served on the way to the east coast, but the return trip was a very nice breakfast. Many of the airlines are just serving snacks now. :(

Donna

[kywoman17]

The trip went ok. My boss ended up and asked me to stay an additional day. Thank goodness I had packed some extra clothes and an extra day's worth of my meds.

I work in Indiana, but one of the ladies I work with that works in Tampa is from India. She is here on a 3 month visa and goes back to India on May 5th. It was good to get to see her one more time. It was also nice to meet some of the people in person that I work with by email and instant messages.

There were only 6 of us in the meeting... I did not say anything about my bladder problem (although my boss and the lady from India already know about it) It was funny that one of the people thought I just went to the bathroom a lot because I was nervous.

We had Thi food Monday night. I asked for everything with mild seasonings, and then took a Pyridium as soon as I got back to the hotel. I had just a little bit of a flare.

The next day, I took a Pyridium before I got the plane.. I hit the bathroom before I got on the plane, as soon as I got on the plane, plus 2 more times on the plane, then as soon as I got off the plane. I took another Pyridium before my connecting flight and only went once on the plane from Altanta to Louisville.

I said a prayer each day for God’s help to get me through the day.

Thanks for everyone’s helpful hints and well wishes.

:thumbsup:

[Donna L]

:hi: Hi kywoman, Glad you had a good trip. My biggerst fear is hitting storms and dealing with the "fasten your seatbelt" routine. My flights are always to Ca.because my daughter and grandson live there. She lived in Switzerland for 5 years, and that was a 9 hour flight going and 10 hour coming back. Ca seems like a short hop after those flights. Hope you continue to feel Good :) ......Donna L

[Neal]

Hello all.
Read all the above and figured I might throw my two cents worth in. I was recently diagnosed (last week) but have been living with moderate IC (my MD says 5 on a scale of 10) for the past decade. For the past 2 years I’ve been averaging a round trip flight per week. I’ve got the United Premier 100K etc…
A couple of thoughts:
- If you have the $$ or mileage points, upgrade to first or bus class. On the smaller planes, the front lav is supposed to be for first class only (usually 4-6 seats on the smaller planes). (Since I’ve never heard of IC until last week, I wonder if the airlines would put you in first class just for that reason…?)
- (If you’re not in first class) ignore whatever they tell you about the front lav being for first class only and use the forward lav when needed. There’s no line (post 9/11 security feature), and lately, I’ve been flying Southwest and I’ll bet the majority of those flyers don’t even know there is a lav in the front. I’ve had very flew flight attendants tell that the front was for first class only (maybe once every 30 flights)
- If you can, determine the type of aircraft you’re going to fly. The wide bodies, have many more lav’s (more people also) but I have found it’s easier to go on a big plane (especially if you’re willing to follow rule #2).
- During the cross country flights (SFO to WashDC) I’ve often wrestled with the idea of making a connection at the hub instead of taking the direct flight. For example, United has the Denver Hub. Instead of going 5 hours SFO to BWI, you go 2 hours SFO to Denver, 1 hour layover, and then 3 hours to WashDC. A couple of thoughts. It is my belief that the average Joe/JoAnn, will “hold it” for a 2 or 3 hour flight. When they’re on a 5 hour flight, they all figure they’re going to have to go sooner or later, so they do. Secondly, although it takes longer, there is something to be said about getting out of the plane, walking on solid ground, and using a real bathroom. Of course there’s some risks: delayed/missed connections, lost luggage etc.
- Always find something that will occupy your mind during the flight. And I don’t consider books to do the job, unless you really get into your books. I would pay the bills, reconcile my checking and credit cards. Do my professional reading. Also, if you can get a laptop, watch a DVD. If you don’t have a laptop, you can rent them at the airport. WWW.inmotionpictures.com rents them at the United concourse in Denver (and others). $15, you pick it up in Denver, you drop it off at SFO. Pay the money; get a movie that’s going to keep you engaged. You never know what/if they’re going to be playing on the plane. Either way, it’s so nice to be so caught up in something else other than thinking about the next time you’re going to go to the bathroom.
- I’m a guy, so I don’t go anywhere without my little Gatorade bottle and one of the light blankets they provide on the flight. It never failed that we would sit there forever waiting to de-ice. I’d do the old “boy it’s cold in here” routine, pull up the blanket to cover what was really going on underneath. I’m not sure what you gals can do in that regard.
- I also experimented with the Depends Overnight diaper . Put it on, throw on some spandex type shorts over it (like what you wear in aerobics). The pants help dampen the “crunchy” sound, and I also found that it would help keep everything inside. Gold Bond medicated powder really helps keep everything dry and comfortable (it can get itchy without it). Wear dark pants just in case. Carry a plastic bag, so if you opt for “plan B”, you can easily dispose of the diaper once the fasten seat belt sign is tuned off. I even carried a second one in an 8x11 manila envelope in case I needed to replace the first. I will tell you, with the Gatorade bottle within reach, I never had to put this option to use and have since stopped doing this on a regular basis. But it’s always an option.
- Never eat the food; at least when everybody else does. I usually bring my own food, or buy that food which I know works better for me. If I am desperate, I’ll ask them to save me a tray and wait ‘till later in the flight. It never fails that 30-45 minutes after the meal is served, you can’t buy your way to the front of the line. I also try to ‘go’ when I see the first of the “post meal “ rush. No matter how badly I need to go, I try to beat the rush. Once the rush starts to die out, most folks are starting to sleep, then I’ll ask for my meal.
- Aisle seat – always
- Back of the plane, makes the frequent trips a little less noticeable (not that I care what everyone thinks). On the longer flights, it’s nice not to have everybody standing around you while they wait to go…
- If I have assigned seating, I’m always the last person on the plane. Soon as they start boarding, I head to the bathroom. If you’ve got a boarding pass, they’re going to make every announcement under the sun before they leave with out you. The other benefit of being the last one on the plane, is you can look for an empty row. Empty row = sleeping on the plane. If there is an empty row, it’s usually at the back of the plane, so you’re closer to the bathroom. If someone does come on after you, you have a reserved seat somewhere else to go to.
- If I don’t have assigned seating (Southwest) I usually “play the rat race”, get the seat I want, and have someone hold it for me while I go on the plane (prior to pushing off the gate).
- Having to go when you’re standing in one of those long airport lines sucks. Almost all the airlines will let you print your boarding pass from the Internet. Or from a kiosk. Use Carry on luggage whenever you can (worse thing that happens is they check your bag at the gate)
- Hell, I didn’t know I had IC (or what IC was). I was asking for the cranberry juice all the time thinking it was good for my “bladder health”. Now’s it’s just water.