Sumertime travels
Is it just me or was last winter a super long one! It seemed as though the glorious days of summer would never arrive, but low and behold they finally have. Summer can pose some problems for ICers though, among them travelling and summer foods. But don’t stress out, with a bit of planning and effort all the IC related stresses or summer travelling can be minimized or eliminated.
Travelling
I’m not sure why it is, but for me there is just something so enduring and time honoured about taking a road trip, or even just driving several hours (or days) to reach a destination. It brings back childhood memories of being piled in the back of a van with my siblings, munching homemade sandwiches and tuning in radio stations as we passed through each town. Now however travelling with IC is not so carefree.
The key, I find is preparation, preparation, preparation! The more you plan in advance the less likely you are to encounter a problem once you are on your travels. Assuming that your travel plans are not impromptu (for example your cousin Joan decides that she and Tom want to get married next week, just out of the blue), it’s a good idea to try and plan your holidays at times that are most appropriate for your bladder (so if your period is a really bad week for you, perhaps avoid the Magical Kingdom or the Rivera that week).
Before you travel outside of your country (and in some cases state/province) you will definitely want to buy travel insurance, if you’re not already covered under a medical health plan (such as your employer’s program, like Blue Cross). It is relatively inexpensive and a wonderful guarantee should you encounter an emergency and require medical care. You don’t need to do anything special, simply go to most any bank or insurance office and ask for traveller’s (medical) insurance for the dates spanning your trip (call me overly precautious, but I always get a week or so longer than I plan to be away in case of the unforeseen.)
Packing
I like to make sure I am completely packed at lest two days before I leave the house that way I have time to add anything that was accidentally forgotten. The key is comfort! Chances are in the summer wherever you are going it will be hot (or at least warm) so bring lots of loose, airy clothing in fabrics like cotton and linen. You want pants and skirts with very loose waistbands (drawstrings can be a good idea) or even dresses that have no defined waist. Try and find comfortable swimwear and bring a sarong or other beach cover, as well as a big floppy hat (or baseball cap for the guys) that will help shield you from the sun. I like to bring a couple of pairs of sunglasses - they needn’t be expensive. I’ve found great ones for under $10 at Wal-Mart and even some dollar stores. Inexpensive sunglasses also mean that if they are broken, lost or even stolen you won’t be out a lot of money.
Comfortable shoes (often breathable) are also a must. Bring and wear ones that are flat or only slightly raised (heels under an inch), preferably with rubber souls. Sandals that allow your feet to breath are great for the beach or walking short distances. Pack comfy runners (sneakers/trainers) for longer journeys on foot. Tempting as can be it might not be the best idea to buy new shoes and not break them in before the trip. You certainly don’t want to have blisters and sore feet while on holiday, and be stuck having to buy another pair of shoes in the hopes that it will be better than the one you have. Bring shoes from home that are in good shape, but slightly worn in. And/or break in new shoes by wearing them for at least a week before your trip.
Remember to take in to consideration things like international wattage and outlet plugs; you may need a converter, especially outside of North America. I find that Radio Shack is a good place to find these, without one your hair dryer may be made redundant.
I like to bring my own towels (even if the hotel provides them), and if I’m going to be gone for an extended period of time my own laundry soap (I put it in an empty ketchup squeeze bottle) as my bladder and vulvodynia (and very sensitive skin) are prone to flares from harsh soaps. When travelling in the car (and other places) I love to have my own pillows and blankets (I got this habit form my mom), especially as a passenger! As well I have used a pillow between the seat belt and my lower abdomen if the set belt was causing me IC pain.
When flying (or going through customs in other countries) if is best to pack your medications in your carryon bag or purse, ideally with a letter from your GP saying which meds you take and why. I have flown with over 12 different pill bottles at the same time and never encountered any problems going through security. Once you arrive at your destination you may want to transfer some of your medication to a plastic daily pill divider and leave the rest in your hotel room (or wherever you’re staying), that way – heaven forbidding - if something happens to your purse/tote/etc you will not be stranded with out your medications. You may want to bring along painkillers on your trip in case you do run into troubles; depending on yourself this could be anything from Advil to Morphine.
I use suitcases with wheels and extendable handles, and shoulder bags and backpacks with comfy (padded if possible) straps. If you need help with your luggage ask an airport porter. And when in the airport you might want to avail of the shuttle cart service that drives you from check-in to your terminal. Just explain that you have a chronic medical condition and require assistance. If you wear a medical alert bracelet for IC it can really come in handy when you are travelling, especially I have found in airports and on the planes (amongst other things my medical alert bracelet says “severe urinary frequency”).
You may also want to bring a heating pad (even in the summer) and/or microwaveable heating pad, or one-time usage heating pads that adhere directly to your body. As well travelling with your TENS machine can be a great way to keep symptoms at bay (pack it in your carry on if you’re flying). I always pack along the phone numbers of my doctors, and my pharmacy (in case something happen to my mediation and I need my pharmacist to fax a copy of my prescription to a pharmacist in another city) and an emergency contact number should anything happen to me.
Keep items you’ll need often within reach (medication, snacks, water, travel john, pillows, TENS, etc). I like to put important papers (like my travel itinerary and tickets in a plastic folder that closes securely (in my purse). Not only does it protect them from wear and tear, but it also keeps everything in one place therefore eliminating that horrible sense of dread as you search through all your hand luggage looking for your boarding pass.
The trip
If your travels are a bit more adventurous than Aunt Judy’s house, one province (or state, etc) away you may want to consider using a travel agent. Find a reputable agency and explain to the agent that you a have a serious medical condition and that you will need your holiday plans to be supportive of your health. Things like aisle seats on planes and trains (if possible), looking into what sorts of special meals are available through the airline, you may find that if you persist the you can get a hold of the person responsible for planning the meals for your flight and discuss your dietary needs directly with him or her to see what sort of options they can provide. As hotels/motel/b&b rooms that are non-smoking, and if possible one that have not been recently painted or exposed to large amounts of chemicals, as many ICers find that chemicals can trigger IC symptoms (or that chemicals upset other related medical conditions).
As well a travel agent can likely point you towards some activates in your given destination that might be IC friendly (friendlier) such as walking tours, museums/galleries, golf courses (opt for a golf cart if possible), swimming areas, low impact hiking trails, and boating activates (speed boating over waves may not be wise for your bladder, but calm sailing – providing the boat has a washroom – can be wonderfully fun and relaxing, for kicks make sure to wear nautical style clothing, it’s navy blue strips all the way.)
Wherever you go I really urge you to bring your own IC friendly snacks and/or meals (if you are flying, this can be a godsend). Pack plenty of non-perishable bladder safe foods (pack any perishable ones with a big ice pack or in a cooler) such as almonds, cracker (low salt), carob snacks, pears, blueberry muffins, bladder friendly plain potato chips (crisps) such as “Baked Lays Original”, raisins (if you can tolerate them), and pear juice (such as Heinz or Gerber).
Bring or buy bottled water. It might seem like a nuisance, but it can make the difference between a flare free trip and one spent in agony. Tap water is a subtle but notorious IC trigger, and it is best to avoid it while on vacation (if not always, this varies though from ICer to ICer). If you will be driving you can probably stock up on enough water beforehand – I like to use a Rubbermaid type of tote container to hold my reserve of bottled water. I like to bring large bottles (several litres), and smaller ones (500ml and 1 litre) that way I can always grab one or two and through them in my purse or tote bag – if you run out, just refill them from the larger bottles. Some ICers are very sensitive to water, and find that Evian is about the only water they can safely tolerate. Evian is available in many countries worldwide, and is great water, but the drawback can be the price. However you can look at it as a small investment to help ensure a flare free trip.
Depending on your budget and where you are going you may want to choose to stay in a hotel for comfort and privacy, even if Aunt Judy has to guest rooms. This may offend some hostesses, but just explain (kindly) that you do not want to cause undo inconvenience for your host(s) such as needing washroom access all the time (if they only have one bathroom this can pose a big problem. Assure your relatives that you will visit them through out the day, but return to the hotel at night or if you start to feel unwell. As well it’s a really good idea to inform your host(s) of any sort of special dietary needs you have. Most people, I find, are quite understanding and more than willing to try and accommodate for your special needs. If you think that eating is going to be a big issue, suggest going to a restaurant or even cooking the meal(s) yourself.
If you are travelling with children, especially young children be sure to bring lots of fun activities (like colouring books, travel games, story books, favourite tapes/cds/dvds) and snacks. Try to pack diaper bags with the essentials but don’t over burden yourself with a thirty-pound diaper bag. Again take everything you need in a bigger bag (or container) and replenish supplies as you need them. You may want to remind your children that mommy or daddy might need to rest, go slower, etc through out the trip but that they (the kids) will still have a great time. I know one person who asks their teenage niece to come along on trips as a baby-sitter (they pay for her ticket, what teenager doesn’t love a free trip) therefore taking some of the stress of caring for the kids off of mom!
Of course not everyone has that option, so it is important tot divide childcare responsibility up between partners/relatives. Many hotels and resorts now have wonderful childcare services provided on sight (check with your hotel before hand to see if they offer child care/day care services and if it costs extra or is included.) Do not hesitate to ask older children to help take care of their younger siblings; it is an important part of instilling responsibility, as well as showing your child that you believe in their capabilities and that you trust them.
Washrooms
For many it is the dread (and outright fear) of being caught without a bathroom that concerns them the most about travelling, believe me I understand. It’s hard to gage how many bathrooms you will encounter en route, especially if you are visiting a place for the first time. When driving you may want to stick to city main city roads (even if traffic is worse) that way you can always pull into a gas station or restaurant. I always travel (even on planes and trains) with my own supple of very soft toilet paper, as I find the ones you encounter in many washrooms can be very rough and therefore prone to aggravate sensitive vulvar tissue. As well remember to bring your perineal squirt bottle and fill it with water from your supple of bottled water. As these handy little bottles are so small and inexpressive you may want to buy more than one and keep them in each of your bags/purses when you travel so that you never have to worry about if your switched it from your big day purse to your cute evening purse.
The same goes for toilet paper. If you’re not packing a whole roll fold some sheets up and stash them in a zip-lock bag. Another reason that I always travel with toilet paper (and soft Kleenexes) is that I never sit on a bare toilet seat anywhere that I travel. For two main reasons, one being hygiene, and the other being that my vulvodynia (and bladder) are very sensitive to chemicals and I try to avoiding putting them in direst contact with cleaners and chemicals. By papering the seat, I know that I greatly reducing my risks of germs and chemical exposure.
While IC is not linked to incontinence, I do always like to be prepared for whatever might happen by always carrying at least one change of clean underwear (can’t you just here your mother’ voice) in a zip-lock bag, and some panty liners (I like organic ones, put as long as they are sent and colour free you should not have too many problems). On long trips like plane journeys I like to wear to Pose pads for extra peace of mind. It might seem like an no-brainer but do remember to pack a few menstrual pads/tampons, even if your flow is not expected for some time. It is always better to be prepared then sitting in a washroom on a highway in the middle of the mountains wondering how many hundreds of mile to the next convenience store.
As well you may want to carry a travel john (or jane as they are known for women), especially on road trips where washrooms are few and far between. These can be the traditional plastic types (bring soapy water or soap and water separately to wash it out after usage and paper towels to dry it with, and if you like a pair of rubber gloves), or get the “Travel John Disposable Relief Bags.” These innovative unisex, one-time usage bags contain a special material that absorbs liquid and turns it to jell. They are odourless and very sanitary, as well as being very convenient in the case of washroom emergencies.
TravelJohn Portable Restroom Kit: Resealable Disposable Urination Pouch
It can also be a good idea to carry a restroom access card that clearly states you have a serious medical condition and require frequent washroom usage. A great one is put by the IC Network for only $1.50 (US):
While you don’t want to be paranoid it’s a good idea to take advantage of going to the washroom whenever you can while you are travelling, especially if you are uncertain where and when the next facility will be. Don’t be shy to say that you need to find a bathroom (and definitely try never to “hold it in” for any substantial amount of time!), or if you need to ask to go head of the line-up (if there is one, and ladies will have all been there a zillion times). Simply explain your situation briefly but with emphasis on the severity of your need to go and show your medial bracelet or washroom access card if you have one.
Once you arrive
Once you arrive you may want to relax for a while, perhaps take a nap or a shower/bath to help you unwind and de-stress from your journey, especially if it was a long one. This will help to give your bladder time to wind down and enjoy the feeling of not moving in a vehicle/plane/etc.
You may wan to rent a car (arrange this before you arrive) if you are not driving your own. Or, and this is a somewhat extravagant suggestion, but if your won car does not have air conditioning and you feel that will be vital for your comfort, you could consider renting one with AC.
Pace yourself, the temptation can exist to try and cram as much in to each day as possible, but this runs the high risk of leaving you very drained and prone to go into a flare! Try to plan out your daily activities and stick to the schedule (not ridged, just as a guideline). Don’t hesitate to call ahead to places you want to see/visit and ask if they have adequate washroom facilities or other things that you require.
Have fun! You deserve this trip, and it may be a while before you have the opportunity to go on another. Take tons and tons of pictures (digital cameras make this not only possible but very affordable), and enjoy the sight and sounds of your destination, or catching up with relatives/old friends.
If a flare does happen
Sometimes no matter what we do to be careful a flare can still occur while we’re on vacation (just like at home). It may be a result of the stresses of travelling, don’t beat yourself up over it. Let anyone you are travelling with know that you are feeling unwell. Try to get as much rest as possible, and take any of your mediations that might help. Stick to your IC diet, use a heating pad/TENS, remember to keep drinking lots of water, and try to get some sleep. If you can minimize the severity of the flare, you may not be “out of the game” for the rest of trip. But if you are, try to make the most of the situation. If you feel up to it you could lay in the shade outside (beach/pool/backyard), chat with your hosts, perhaps take short walks, take pictures from your hotel balcony, or other low impact activates.
If it gets to the point that you require medical attention do not hesitate to see out a doctor or to go to the hospital (this is where the traveller’s medical insure becomes crucial). “Walk in clinics” are becoming more and more common all over the world, but if you are in a non-English speaking country and you do not speak the language you may encounter troubles being understood, in which case you could phone a local hospital and ask (in English, presumably) if anyone speaks English. It is always a good idea to bring an English-whichever language of the country you are visiting dictionary when you travel, otherwise it may be all but impossible to explain IC. Just think about how well you would understand someone telling you about IC in a language you don’t speak.
Have a wonderful vacation
Summer travel can be a blast, being prepared in certainly one of the biggest steps towards a great trip. Use this article as a rough guideline to help you plan your trip and ease you through the journey. Remember that it is important to get out and about in spite of your health; going on a trip can be very therapeutic (which reminds me, if at all possible try to visit a local health spa) and relaxing (cruise, anyone?). Try to push aside your daily life and unwind, spend time with your partner/fmily/friends (if applicable), absorb your destination and try to relax and have an enjoyable time.
For more information on flying with IC see the ICadvice our article: Traveling Strategies for Flying ICers
For more information on comfortable clothing for IC see our article: What to wear, what to wear?