Going on vacation!

[Mrs. Peel]

The hub and I spend a few days in Valle Central, then spend most of the rest of our time in our adopted town of Cahuita on the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica. This time it will be two weeks all together, plus a night at a four-star hotel the night we get back to the states. Ahhhh.

I'm a little nervous since it's my first time back there since I got sick, but I've read a lot about traveling with IC and I'm READY!

I'm lucky we have gotten close with the folks at a Caribbean restaurant, so they'll cook specially for me. They cook everything from scratch after you order it anyway. GREAT place.

Wish me luck!

Karin

[ICNDonna]

I'm so glad for you. You need a break!

Have a wonderful time.

Donna

[sailawaygrl]

Where did you read and learn about travelling with IC? Should I just research on here?
My husband seems to be of the feeling that all of our previous types of travel are now over. I also felt that way for a time, now, I am determined to not let this ruin what was to be the best time of my life. I am just starting to look into trips that we can take. We love to cruise and especially enjoy the Caribbean.
I see you live in the keys, we absolutely love to visit Key West and I want to see the rest of the keys. We have always been the travellers that don't take the planned tours, we research and go out on our own (walking at a very fast pace, although that is now out). Also, I never venture on my own in a place that it is not recommended either.

I want and need to take a trip. How and where can I find tips on travelling with IC. I also worry about all the meds on a plane or ship. I take some controlled substances that I wouldn't want anyone to get their hands on.

Enjoy your trip, it sounds wonderful. I will be with you in my mind!!

Just direct me where and how to learn to travel with a chronic illness and I can learn, just not sure where to begin.

Thank you for any tips or advice you can offer.

Sandra

[VickiB]

Have a great time!

Vicki

[MiLynn]

Sounds great! Hope you have fun.

My husband and I are talking about taking our kids to Disney, which is a 23 hour drive! I'm nervous about it, so it's kind of on hold right now but I'd really love to go.

[baaaby11]

Where did you read and learn about travelling with IC? Should I just research on here?
My husband seems to be of the feeling that all of our previous types of travel are now over. I also felt that way for a time, now, I am determined to not let this ruin what was to be the best time of my life. I am just starting to look into trips that we can take. We love to cruise and especially enjoy the Caribbean.
I see you live in the keys, we absolutely love to visit Key West and I want to see the rest of the keys. We have always been the travellers that don't take the planned tours, we research and go out on our own (walking at a very fast pace, although that is now out). Also, I never venture on my own in a place that it is not recommended either.

I want and need to take a trip. How and where can I find tips on travelling with IC. I also worry about all the meds on a plane or ship. I take some controlled substances that I wouldn't want anyone to get their hands on.

Enjoy your trip, it sounds wonderful. I will be with you in my mind!!

Just direct me where and how to learn to travel with a chronic illness and I can learn, just not sure where to begin.

Thank you for any tips or advice you can offer.

Sandra

http://www.ic-network.com/forum/showthread.php?t=57824&highlight=travel+tips
You can find more if you use the search option with keywords like travel, plane rides, car rides etc...

And Karin, it sounds like fun!

I am kinda sad about the whole aspect of travelling. It just sucks to go from being VERY excited about travelling to just being nervous and worried about it. =(
I haven't travelled anywhere since May, when I started having my symptoms.

[Iris]

I know I will be travelling to England next year, the first time since I was diagnosed in 2002. I must admit to being a little nervous about the trip as it will be eight hours flying. I will be alright when I get there as I am originally from England and going to relatives. Any tips about plane travel will be very useful as I am determined to make the first long travel plans in several years, also hoping to make it to Hawaii with my daughter and her husband and my granddaughter in the future. I am determined not to let IC get in the way of my enjoying my life to the fullest. Iris.:flower::dance:

[maryla]

I think it's just a matter of being prepared. Last yr when went on a cruise and we were going back into the jungle in Jamaica and as soon as we got on the bus I started to freak because it didn't have a bathroom. So what we did was put my husband's towel around me and I pulled my swimsuit down and peed on my towel. I know it sounds gross but when you go so much, you learn how to be inventive when you have no choice but to use whatever means it is to get it out. I've learned to take tissue where ever I go too.

I cath so, a few times I've had to when there was no way to go to a bathroom. I use mens caths which have a lot of room to play with, which helps. And just put a blanket over myself.

I've also used the one gallon size zip lock freezer bags to go in.

If fatigue is a side effect of your IC whenever you can use a wheelchair or electric car. It saves a lot of energy. And alot of airport's will take you to your plane if you ask inadvance.

Have fun and let us know how it went.

hugs and blessings

[sailawaygrl]

Thank you for the link, I am going to look at the tips right now. I know I won't be travelling for a while but I am excited to make the plans. Planning a trip has always been part of the fun for me. I love to have something to look forward to, gives me motivation to reach my goals.

Enjoy your trip.

I know some of you said that you wouldn't even begin to think about travelling since your symptoms began. I have had symptoms since Dec 07. There comes a time when you just have to accept that it may not be perfect but you have got to take some time away. That is where I am now, so I am in the beginning stages of planning some kind of a trip. Maybe just a short get away to begin. With all the medical bills, money is certainly an issue. I encourage all of us to try and do what we can, even if it is a day trip to a museum. Many have free days. (and you can use a wheelchair in a museum)
Wishing me, and everyone else, Happy Travels!!!!

Sandra

[TexasHoney]

Karin, I hope you enjoy your trip. Good luck on avoiding a flare.

[Briza]

hey there!
How wonderful. You will have a great time! I have been to Cahuita....it is a lovely town and a great place to spend a vacation. Keep us posted!

[Iris]

Hi, I totally agree with you regarding travel, I know we have to be inventive, I never thought of zip loc bags, but a great idea. I am in the planning stage of my trip to England next year, my daughter is a great travel planner and she knows my needs when I am battling IC. I finally got sick of not going away, they went this year and I wanted so badly to go with them, and realised that I was the one stopping myself. She is so happy I will be going with them next year as it is part of a birthday present for her, as she will be turning forty. Big celebration and lots of fun, to heck with IC, I am determined to not let it rule my life, I caved in when I was first diagnosed, but must admit as the years go by and I learnt how to deal with it, and so many new things are available to us now, and it is becoming an illness that is being researched. I can say and hope that eventually a cure will be found, and make all our lives easier. Have great vacations IC gals, Iris. :flower:

[Mrs. Peel]

We got back a week and a half ago, and I'm pleased to say I did very well.

There are a few things that I'm not up to which held me back a little, but it was a great experience in finding my limits. Traveling wasn't a problem. When I ordered the plane tickets, I marked the disability box and it got us early boarding on the plane. We spent a little more on private vans instead of bumpy buses for the trips between Cahuita and the airport town. They will also stop for you, which the buses don't do :rolleyes:

Cahuita was a perfect place. All the restaurants cook from scratch, and special orders are not at all a problem. My symptoms weren't bad at all, so I just told them I can't have any kind of pepper or chili and took Prelief.

We spent less time on side trips and a lot more time visiting with the locals we've gotten to know well. We slept a LOT.

More later.

[SharonA]

Welcome back. I am glad to hear everything went well. Thanks for updating. :)

[darlene]

I always wear heavy duty bladder pads when I travel. If I have to pee in an area without a restroom, the pad will hold the urine until I get to a restroom and put on a new heavy duty pad. The pads are made to control urine odor. I carry extra pads with me. I have a shrunken bladder due to 40 years of IC and they give me peace of mind when I travel.