Don’t Let IC/BPS Stand in the Way Of Socializing
It’s a New Year, with new social events that we can look forward to and hopefully enjoy. From Easter to Mother’s Day, the Fourth of July to a special birthday, you can celebrate without irritating your bladder and/or pelvic pain. Remember, not every IC’er is diet sensitive but for those of you who are, a little planning and preparation go a long way!
1. Avoid trigger foods and drinks for a few days ahead of time.
Sometimes, in spite of our best efforts, flares strike. But, do all you can to help reduce your risk of a flare in the days before the party. Avoid trigger foods and beverages, don’t spend too much time on your feet and take your medications. Sometimes we know all the right things to do, but we get lax in doing them. Just before a party or big event is not the time to get lax. In fact, it’s really the time to be even more stringent.
2. Know where bathrooms are.
Whether the party is at a restaurant or friend’s house, scope out the bathroom situation either ahead of time or when you arrive. Having bathroom access is important and knowing where the bathroom is before you need it can make a big difference. That allows you to get to the bathroom quicker and also to relax mentally in not having to worry about whether you’ll be able to locate the bathroom when you need it. Because you will need it!
3. Have a beverage plan.
Alcohol is popular at many parties. Come up with a plan for how to handle the drink situation ahead of time. You don’t have to share details with anyone as to what you aren’t imbibing if that’s your choice. People have a wide array of reasons for not drinking alcohol, so don’t feel pressured to sip something or explain yourself over and over. Stick with bladder friendly drinks or, if you want to imbibe, consider using some Prelief® to reduce the acid load.
If you do want to try alcohol or some alternatives, ICN founder and president Jill Osborne has suggestions for bladder friendly drinks.
4. Have a buddy or support person.
Enlist your spouse, a friend or a relative to be your support person for the night. Just knowing you have someone you can ask to help you find a comfortable seat, get you some water or even leave a celebration early is comforting. Because even though we may not want to admit it, sometimes we do need to ask for help. Talk with your support person ahead of time and go over what you might need from them throughout the evening. For example, you might ask them to help you find the bathroom when you arrive or assist you in locating a comfortable seat. They can also help you manage other people if needed as you find the right foods and beverages.
5. Plan for food.
Going to a party also entails figuring out what to eat. How you handle this largely depends on your situation. If you are going out to a restaurant, check the menu online ahead of time and figure out what works best for you. You can even call ahead and ask questions about how foods are prepared if you need to. If you’re going to a gathering at a friend’s house, ask about what food will be served ahead of time. You can explain you have dietary restrictions and were curious what would be served. Offer to bring along dishes to share or for yourself if there aren’t great options available to you. Or you can host the gathering yourself. When you’re hosting, you are in charge of what is served, so you can be sure to include IC friendly choices.
6. Consider low-key activities.
Celebrations and parties don’t mean you have to go all out to have a good time. If it’s your event, consider planning to spend the night at home with your family or close friends. Lots of activities like playing board games, doing crafts and watching movies are both fun and IC friendly. Celebrate in whatever way works best for you!
7. Figure out how to be comfortable.
From finding a soft place to sit to wearing the right shoes, you want to be comfortable for your celebration. If you’re at home, stake out your spot in a comfy chair or on the couch. If you’re at a friend’s house, ask him or her if there is a soft seat you can use or bring along a chair cushion. For celebrations at a restaurant or other venue, do your best to scope out the seating situation and find a good spot to land at least from time-to-time. Consider also wearing shoes that are comfortable and low-heeled so you don’t have additional strain on your low back and pelvis.
8. Don’t forget your medicine.
Be sure to stay on schedule with your regular medications and have flare or other related medications on hand. Consider, for example, keeping some Prelief with you when going to a party with IC so that you can help reduce the acid in any food or beverages you consume. If you have pain medications you need, bring those along. Check for any foods or beverages that should not be mixed with your medications before you head to the party.
9. Make the best of the situation.
If you are going to a party, you might feel nervous or stressed. And you might have feelings of missing out that creep in. It’s OK and healthy to recognize those feelings. But, find ways to move on. Don’t put undo pressure on yourself to celebrate and go all out if you just aren’t up to it. Maybe this time around, you have to have more downtime and less celebrating, but that doesn’t mean it will always be that way. Give yourself some grace and make the best of what you can do.
10. Let go of the “all or nothing” mentality.
Sometimes we get caught in the trap of thinking that if we can’t go for an entire party or event, then we will just stay home. Instead, figure out how to make it work for you. Maybe you go for the first hour of the party and then head home to rest. Or maybe you jump in for the final hour or two of the party or somewhere in the middle. That’s OK. You don’t have to do it all to still enjoy yourself and have a good time.
