Touring plan when dealing with incontinence?

[Nennie]

Embarassing situation, but maybe others have experience?

Any tips on touring when someone in the group has an "urge" incontinence issue? I wear poise pads, and will try not to drink too many liquids, and will take frequent bathroom breaks...what else can I do? This is a longstanding issue, but has been made temporarily worse with pregnancy and sciatica. I really don't want to wear depends, and the poise pads only hold so much.

I thought about asking for a GAC that would let me wait in another area where I could go to the bathroom right before the ride, but I'm thinking the assigned waiting areas probably don't have bathrooms.

Any tips/advice is appreciated!!!

P.S. I won't be doing any thrill rides or bumpy rides, just rides like Pirates, Small World, etc.

 

[peemagg]

I would contact your dr about a drug to help with the "urge". I would also not let a restroom go by without visiting it.

I don't think a GAC would be of much help for you.

I understand where you are coming from. I have similar issues and found the meds to be a great help with this problem. I really would ask your dr for something to help with this issue.

 

[fitzy819]

I would contact your dr about a drug to help with the "urge". I would also not let a restroom go by without visiting it.

This is great advice! There are several medications available that you could try and scheduling bathroom breaks at regular frequent intervals can help too. There are also exercises (Kegals) that you can do to "work out" your pelvic floor muscles.

Good luck and I hope you have a wonderful trip!!!!

 

[brat]

Nennie

I agree with Peemagg and fitzy about talking with your Dr. My Mom is useing adult underwear(like a pull-up) and is taking a vesicare which is helping keep her drier.

I would worry more about you if you limit your liquid intake with the heat.Time many bathroom stops while away from home.

My SIL has mild urge issues that are worse if she eats certain foods and drinks.

 

[seashoreCM]

I would look into a GAC that allowed going to the rest room immediately before your time to ride. The person writing up the GAC may have other suggestions too.

 

[crashbb]

I would look into a GAC that allowed going to the rest room immediately before your time to ride. The person writing up the GAC may have other suggestions too.

How could that possibly work? There aren't washrooms near the loading areas of rides.

I'm trying to think of a helpful suggestion, but it is tricky (I know it has come up before, and the best that I remember was to talk to the CM if you have to leave the line, so that you could avoid waiting in the whole line again).

 

[livndisney]

I would look into a GAC that allowed going to the rest room immediately before your time to ride. The person writing up the GAC may have other suggestions too.

There is not a GAC is for the restroom. If you have a need to leave a line and re enter, your best bet is Fastpass since those are not collected until just before you get on the ride.

 

[SueM in MN]

How could that possibly work? There aren't washrooms near the loading areas of rides.

I'm trying to think of a helpful suggestion, but it is tricky (I know it has come up before, and the best that I remember was to talk to the CM if you have to leave the line, so that you could avoid waiting in the whole line again).

Agree.
There are no attractions that have restrooms near the load area and a few attractions that have no restrooms that are even reasonably close.
So there would be no way to have a GAC that would allow a guest to use the restroom before boarding.
Plus, there is no guarantee that the guest won't have to wait in line for a restroom stall.

Using a touring plan will help you to be in the least busy part of the least busy park. This will help with waits in line for attractions, but also with waits in places like restaurants and restroom.
If you are concerned with leakage, you may want to look into something more absorbent - there are poise pads with different absorbency and also higher capacity products like Depends or similar disposable garments.

There is not a GAC is for the restroom. If you have a need to leave a line and re enter, your best bet is Fastpass since those are not collected until just before you get on the ride.

That works very well. Since Fastpasses are not collected until close to boarding, if you get out of line before the Fastpass was collected, you will be able to come back into the Fastpass line when you are ready.

 

[minkydog]

I would contact your dr about a drug to help with the "urge". I would also not let a restroom go by without visiting it.

I don't think a GAC would be of much help for you.

I understand where you are coming from. I have similar issues and found the meds to be a great help with this problem. I really would ask your dr for something to help with this issue.

I would be VERY surprised if the OPs doctor would okay a drug for incontinence, seeing as she's pregnant. I think OP is going to have to make do with frequent bathroom trips and incontinence supplies. I would *NOT* recommend reducing liquids for a pregnant woman. That's the short path to kidney infection and dehydration. OP needs her fluids, maybe even extra fluids due to the heat.

OP, perhaps you can do the World in short bursts. Maybe 3-4 hours at a time so you can rest in your hotel room from time to time. I know you don't want to wear Depends, but perhaps that would be a good idea. My 15yo wears the pull-up Depends and you'd be surprised how much water they hold. You can carry 3, plus a change of pants, in a backpack. And don't forgo your water bottle.

 

[mommy-on-the-move]

I agree- definitely do NOT limit liquids, it's dangerous in that heat especially when pregnant. Also limiting liquids could lead to infections/bladder irritation which could make the incontinence worse. You defintely don't want to end up with an infection as kidney infections can trigger premature labour. Avoid caffine though as it can make things worse- water would be the better drink.

My father suffers bladder issues- we familiarised ourselves with where all the toilets were, made sure the kids yelled out whenever they saw a bathroom to check if any one needed to go (they were great at spotting ones we missed) and made sure we had a change of shorts for him as well (not a problem with backpacks needing to be carried anyway)

I was wondering if maybe a GAC might be useful to gain access to ANY restroom - for example table service restaurants which otherwise only let in dining guests?

Definitely visit your dr though (or gyn/ob) because they should be able to offer a womens physio who can help with pelvic floor weakness and pregnancy (if not whilst pg definitely after birth)

I hope you have a good trip.

 

[Bete]

My mom suffers from this big time.

There are pads that allow seepage to another layer; they are called booster pads. This is like wearing a double layer. You have your poise pad and this booster pad goes on top of this. In some areas it's called a liner pad. You may have to go to a medical supply store or order on internet for it.

Another trick is to buy larger pads. The biggest ones are usually 30 to a package. Then you can use another pad that is smaller on top of the bigger pad. Both these pads are waterproof; so, it won't allow for seepage to another layer, but the bigger pad will catch extra leakage on the sides of what the smaller one may miss.

If worse comes to worse you may want to consider a scooter rental. This would make it easier on you since you are pregnant and sitting down more seems to stop the urges more.

 

[Nennie]

Thanks so much everyone for the suggestions! I definitely plan on getting to the parks early, to get rides in on the non-FP attractions, and then utilizing fast passes the rest of the day! Unfortunately, it seems the more I *think* about it, the stronger the urge gets, so I just need to find a way to keep my mind off of it, to reduce my anxiety!!

As for the meds, I'm not allowed to take them right now, but next year I plan on taking meds and having the sling surgery! Just gotta get through this year!!

 

[brat]

I think Disney will help with the distraction.

Have fun

 

[KPeveler]

I agree there is no GAC which would be particularly helpful.

Something to watch out for is ride length times. Ellen's is 45 minutes long, not including the ride. If the boats back up at all on Small World, it is not uncommon for the ride to last longer than 1/2 hour. And obviously there is nothing you can do about bathrooms ON the rides!

Also, do you do better when sitting down? I know that helps me with both urge and sciatica issues. You could also get a wheelchair, push it empty through the parks, and then sit when you get to the lines, parades, shows, etc. This may help a little with the general comfort levels.