Travel Questions?

[tillysav]

I seem to have problems when I travel. I'm not sure why. Does anyone know what's the connection between IC and pain and travel? I don't get it. :confused:

I have a formal wedding to attend in July. I will be flying to Denver from Oklahoma. It will be three days of socializing, going none stop from one place to another, all in formal dress and heels. I'm trying not to worry, but I know what it's like when I am in pain and in the midst of mingling and smiling, and on the inside I'm hurting. My body starts trying to pull me down.

I already know that by the time I get to denver (about 4 hours before the first event) I will already be in pain and will need to lie down. I don't know why lying down helps me, but it does. Instead I will be greeted by people in the wedding party and expected to do things with them and keep going until time for the rehersal dinner (1st event). I will have gotten up that morning at 6:30 and the rehearsal dinner will last until 10:30. Then do it all over again the next day. Two days of events and then finally the wedding. I know my body and this is going to be tuff!

Then, in August my husband and I are going to Coeur'd Alene, Idaho on a road trip. I'm looking forward to both of these trips and want to be happy and have fun and not be a stick in the mud around anyone.

Does anyone know why this causes problems i.e., severe PAIN, constipation, no sleep, etc? I used to LOVE to travel. I don't understand why it makes my IC worse. Does this happen to anyone else?

Also, I am newly diagnosed as of December '03. Not well knowledged at everything yet.

Thanks for any replies...:kiss:

[classics]

Tilly,

I think it gets worse because the anxiety. Our muscles are tensing up and we are not really aware of it. Just about everyone I know gets constipation during a trip. Some people just cannot have a BM on a different toilet . I usally carry glycerine (non-laxative) suppositories on vacation or when we go camping, and they really helps.


Vacations and trips can be very exhausting. Sometimes you feel like you need a "vacation" after you just returned from one.

I'm concerned about you expecting too much of yourself, since you are in bad pain. Allow yourself to take any needed breaks that you can, including escaping to lie down when needed. You might not need to be present at every activity. Another suggestion is don't wear heels the whole time, if you are not used to wearing them. Take other shoes that you can put on (many people dressed in formal wear at wedding receptions often change to more comfortable shoes).

I hope this helps.

[crystilclear]

I'm sorry to hear about that. If everyone could feel for an hour or so what it feels like to be in a flare from IC I think that they'd understand and give us all a much needed break. If you need to rest then just do it. That's your body's way of saying it needs a bre4ak. Rest, put your feet up, just try not to stress too much. Talk to your doc before you leave and make sure you have some pain meds in case you need them. I can't stand to travel. I've been putting off going to the beach with the kids because of the 41\2 drive. ANyways the kids won't sleep, I have to run after them like crazy, clean up after them, and deal with family that doesn't understand me!!!! No one ever accomodates me. I always try and make things easier for everyone but I have to worry about myself once in awhile and so do you. They won't feel the repercussions if you flare from doing too much you will. Take care of yourself. If they love you they'll understand and if they don't well let that be their problem. You need to do what's best for you. take care. I hope you can enjoy yourself regardless. Take care - Chris

[tillysav]

Classics & Chris,

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. I plan to follow my diet to the "T" and take all the "just in case" IC stuff. Still I'm a bit nervous. Thanks again. :kiss:

[theclownster]

Hi there! My first thought when I read your post is - can you arrive a day earlier - and spend that day recouperating - laying down and relaxing?

I'm not sure I have any great tips - other than to take bottle water you can tolerate on the plane.

Hope your travels go well!
Jennifer

[tillysav]

Thanks to everyone for advice.

I have noticed when I have a big event "rest" and a good nights sleep help me tremendously. It's like getting started feeling good helps me last longer when I'm on the go. If I start out tired - Yikes - the pain sets, it's to late and I don't catch up unless I can get some down time and sleep. This concerns me about all this. I feel like I need to take a day off from work the day before to get ready, but my husband wants me to work, go to the airport, land in Denver and hit the ground running. Holy Cow! He is wonderful, but just does not understand. My system does not tolerate pain meds or antidepressents so the only thing that helps me is a good rest. I guess I don't know how to explain it to him. People think you're fine if you look OK....

I'm learning to live with it and pray a lot. :pray:

Is it like this for all of you?

[Sarojini]

Hi Tilly...

Travelling is rough on me too. I just returned from a trip to the Smoky Mtns in East TN. My husband and I drove there (6 hours in the car... aggh!) to meet part of his family there. They rented a 5-bedroom house for a birthday get-together.

Anyway, the drive was rough, but I made it. We stopped to pee a lot tho :rolleyes:, probably about every hour or so. Also it helped to get up and gently stretch my pelvic area by walking a little... I tend to get very tight while sitting in the car, and towards the end of the trip I had to take a pain pill, as my bladder really had had enough of car travel. TRAVEL RULE #1 for me is EVEN IF IT TAKES A LITTLE LONGER, STOPPING FREQUENTLY ON A CAR TRIP MAKES IT EASIER. Don't be afraid to... drive yourself if you have to.

I kind of flared the entire first night there. I kept it under control with my pain meds, but then RAN OUT. What an idiot. Luckily, I have my uro's home number and wasn't afraid to use it... ;) Anyway, he called in a new script to a Walgreen's out there after telling me I was dumb for not checking my pill bottle and calling before I left. So, RULE #2 became -- MAKE SURE YOU REFILL ALL YOUR MEDS BEFORE YOU GO.

After that, I was dealing with frequency/urgency too, which was a hassle, as my husband's family is very "outdoorsy" and kept wanting to go on hikes. Which, obviously, I did not want to do with my IC acting up. (Who wants to have to pee in the woods every 20 minutes while hiking with a group? Embarrassing... to say nothing of the mosquito bites I envisioned I'd get on my :toosh: )

I simply told them I would stay behind on some of the hikes. They pestered a little, but then I bluntly explained the peeing situation and that made them get rather quiet.

I DID however go on a tubing trip down a river with them, which I enjoyed immensely. BONUS...the cool water felt great on my irritated urethra!!

So, RULE #3 -- DON'T BE AFRAID TO SAY 'NO' IF YOU ARE FEELING BAD, BUT GO OUT THERE AND DO SOME FUN STUFF TOO. :)

Ok, those were my three rules this particular trip. :)

Good luck on your own trips!!!!!!

By the way, my husband's maternal grandmother lives in Couer d'Alene, ID!!!

[tillysav]

Thanks Everyone:hi:

Thanks for all the travel tips. I appreciate it and I am going to try to follow them. Sounds like you've all been there. I'm going to do my best to "hang in there" with best of them and have a good time. Thanks again... :kiss:

[theclownster]

HI Jen! I read the post about your trip to the smoky moutains. My husband and I are heading there in two weeks - to Gatlinburg. I'm looking forward to it but also dreading the trip - about 8 1/2 to 10 hours depending on stops and traffic. You tips sure made me laugh and are ones I'll be sure to follow. Lots of meds is a bonus.

Thanks for you help in your post - it brought a smile to my face with your comments.

Take Care!
Jennifer

[SheriG]

Hello! First of all, I want to wish you a happy, healthy vacation!You have gotten some good advice here, and I am not sure that I have anything of use to add. I do agree, however, that you can look very nice, even at a formal wedding in comfy shoes...what about sandals? They can be dressy and look great with a dress! I guess my feeling is, this trip shoul be all about you. Do not worry about pleasing everyone else...they will be glad you are there! With a disease like IC, you should dress for comfort (including shoes) , that will probably decrease the anxiety a bit and you will have a much better time, and will probably tolerate it alot longer.Rest if you need to. If it helps you to lie down, then take a break, lie down for a bit, and you will feel refrehed and ready to go. I guess what I am saying is that you are traveling to this wedding, and I am sure the couple and their families appreciate your making the trip. If you try to take care of your needs, and not worry so much what others think, you will have a better time!:rant: I am sorry to go on and on, but I really want you to have fun!!! Drink lots of fluids, stay calm, and have a blast! Best wishes for a safe, happy, healthy trip! I have been to gatlinburg, and am so envious that you are going there..what a beautiful place! Enjoy that as well! Please post when you get back and let us know how it went! :kiss: :party:
:D Sheri G

[jen_dahling]

Hi Everyone! I have read all of your replies to this post and I , too appreciate the advice. We have a family trip planned to Indiana soon. It will be two days, 10 hrs in the car each day, both ways! I need some input about meds. Does anyone have any suggestions that I should talk to my dr about for the trip?
Any help or suggestion are greatly appreciated!
Jen
:hi:

[tillysav]

WOW 10 hours?

I have really appreciated all the suggestions for traveling. I'm taking Uromax (sp?) for my bladder. It seems to help calm my bladder. My system doesn't tolerate pain meds, BUT I'm bringing them along "just in case", something to help with sleep, milk of magnesia (if you have IBS) and lots of bottled water. Stretch jeans (Gap has them) to wear on the plain and in the car.... a Prayer and a nap. Can't think of anything else. The people here may have more helpful ideas ... This board is wonderful!

Hope everyone stays painfree on their travels! :kiss:

[louise]

Hi Tilly,

I just thought I would post a short piece from Dr. Whitmore's book "Overcoming Bladder Disorders" and her opinion re travel and IC.

She says, "PEOPLE WITH THE WORST CASES OF INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS FIND THAT VIBRATIONS OR JARRING MOVEMENT PRECIPITATE OR INTENSIFY BLADDER PAIN." She also says, "MANY PEOPLE ... FIND THAT THEY MUST ACCOMMODATE THEIR EXERCISES TO THE WAXING AND WANING OF SYMPTOMS." ON GOOD DAYS (SAYS ONE ICER) "I CAN DO JUST ABOUT ANYTHING, AND ON BAD DAYS, JUST ABOUT NOTHING." REGARDING ANOTHER ICER SHE SAYS, "(NAME) WHO EVEN HAD TO GIVE UP WALKING BECAUSE THE MOTION EXACERBATED HER SYMPTOMS, FOUND THAT SHE COULD STILL DO UPPER-BODY EXERCISES ON ROWING OR EXERCISE MACHINES." ANOTHER LADY "FINDS THAT WHEN HER SYMPTOMS ARE SEVERE, SHE CAN'T RUN, BUT WHEN THEY LIGHTEN UP, SHE RUNS THREE MILES FIVE TIMES A WEEK."

I hope this helps you a little and I would recommend this book for further good information about Interstitial Cystitis.

GOOD LUCK WITH THE WEDDING! As others have said, be kind to yourself and your bladder - you are the one experiencing the pain, so when your body tells you it has had enough then you should listen to it and rest and rest some more. I know flying for me is a terrible instigator of my bladder, pelvic and low back pain.

Louise

[Myli]

I haven't traveled more than a two hours away since being diagnosed. But, I believe anything that puts pressure on my stomach helps to cause pain. I include the seat belts. No matter what you do, to be effective at their job, they have to be positioned properly and that is definitely across an area guaranteed to put pressure on my bladder. I also notice that the act of standing up can cause pain in itself. That pain usually subsides fairly quickly. Sitting for a long time seems to also be a problem. I have ordered one of the seat cushions made to help take pressure off the pelvic area (from this website) and am eagerly waiting to try it out.

Whether flying or driving, I would be sure to drink enough water to keep my system happy. For me, that is a gallon a day.... many stops along the way. :lmao:

If I were you, I would get out of the high heels asap. I would also rip the nylons off at the first possible moment. I am now trying going without underpants under my pants in hopes that too will help. At 60, this seemed pretty radical to me. I mean what happens if you are in an accident? Isn't that a danger our parents lectured us to avoid by wearing clean undies at all times? :lmao: Funny sometimes the things we learned young that we have to throw away when faced with a different reality than the one envisioned.

I hope you have a great time! Let your body be your guide.

/hugs
Myli

[SunDaze83]

I just got home from traveling and my IC acts up too when i travel...i think it is the stress of traveling and/ or the vibrations of the car/bus/train/airplane that bothers it...well atleast it bothers mine!