www.incontinentsupport.org

Hi, I travel on a regular basis for work. Since a year I suffer of some incontinence (not every night) and need to bring on my trips diapers for the night. All is OK, but I hate to put a pack of diapers just like that in my suitcase. It has to do with the risk that someone (colleagues or others) will see it by accidence when I have to open the suitcase to pick something out of it without thinking about it. How do others deal with it? Do you use some kind of neutral packaging while traveling? Any tip is more than welcome!

Thanks a lot,
Regards,
Bob

Given my incontinence (urge) is fairly bad, I usually pack 3 day time diapers and one night diaper per day (plus an extra day in case of flight issues). I also pack a bed pad, plastic pants, and enough grocery bags to discreetly get rid of the diapers. If I am going on a week trip I will be packing about half of my main suitcase with diapers... I sometimes will instead pack a second carryon with my supplies. I show the TSA agent my disability card

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information ... conditions

and I have not had issues. Regardless, if I am interacting with people in my room who do not know and I do not want to know , I make sure my "needs" are in one suitcase and everything else is in the other. That way, I am never opening the incontinence suitcase unless it is to get a new diaper.

If you are only bringing 5-6 diapers for bedwetting, those can either be packed on the very bottom, loosely, or placed in one of the zippered front pockets of the suitcase (if it has one). Having all of your clothes on top will neatly cover the diapers and you should be fine.


MY BIGGEST FEAR, however, is how I would react if my diapers were pulled out of my carryon or suitcase for screening WHILE my co-workers or fellow travelers are with me.... Thankfully that has not happened yet. If it does I will just have to swallow my pride and deal with it, but obviously, I would rather not

This summer for the first time, I ordered a package of diapers (Tena Slip Maxi) from XPmedical and had them sent to my Mom's house for a 9-day stay and then packed about 12 more diapers in my checked bag. I use a c-pap machine and I use that case as my carry on bag with two more spare diapers in there (one to change at the connection if need be and one for the destination). This system worked really well since I could send a whole package there ahead of time. I used the ones I packed in my suitcase first to create room to bring home some swag after a little "retail therapy" while I was there.

When I travel on business, it's usually for no more than 3-4 days at most and I just pack enough diapers in my checked bag and then use my c-pap carry on system to bring more diapers for the flight(s). FYI... When you carry on a c-pap, TSA makes you take it out of the case to go through the conveyor belt scanner. TSA has seen my spare diapers in the c-pap case many many times and no one has ever said a single word to me about anything. I highly doubt it's a surprise to them or that they give a flying fig about seeing a couple spare diapers. I used to really get freaked out using this system initially but I've done it enough times now that it doesn't bother me.

CJ

I have only flown a couple of times since I developed this condition. I always bring my rolling laptop bag with me. One side has my laptop and accessories and the other pocket has my supplies for that day. Luckily, I have not had to change on the plane. I couldn't imagine having to get my bag and than take it to the closet of a bathroom to change while everyone sees I drugged my bag with me. I have read some of us will double up protection so the one that is wet can be taken off and then use the back up one. A little bulky, yes but does the trick. The other thing I have learned through reading is not to go through screening being wet.

My only concern is if my checked suitcase that has the rest of my supplies gets ripped or lost and I am traveling with a coworker. For now I have just told myself I will cross that bridge later if it happens.

Thanks Tarlton about the TSA disability card so a condition doesn't have to be said out loud.

Hi, folks. I just joined up. I was going to respond to the general incontinence questions first, but I discovered this, and I'd like to reply. I've been wearing heavy duty diapers at night for about three years, due to an enlarged prostate and taking Flomax to ensure I empty totally. The later had been a real issue for me. Anyhow,I was having to get up four to six times a night to pee and found it hard to get back to sleep, thus my starting to wear diapers. That did the trick. BUT, I encountered the same issue of having to pack at least seven 24/7 or Abena L4s per week away which are thick and take up a lot of room. While searching the web one day on some subject relating to diapers, I saw an invitation from Coloplast to consider another solution. I went to the web site and read all I could on external catheters ( condom catheters) and then called their number to speak to a Coloplast urinary incontinence specialist. Short of it is that she sent me samples to try out, and I've been using the catheters at night with a large 2,000 ml drainage bag. However, I also wear diapers a lot because they make me feel safe and secure. Bottom line is when I travel, I need only pack one or two, at most, condom catheters per day away and an extra night drainage bag, plus some leg bags I use during the day. That saves a lot of room in my suitcase. No problems getting through security, either. I just tell them I have a urine drainage bag strapped on my left leg and also alert them to my ileostomy pouch on the other side. Apparently, they encounter this situation frequently, so there's no surprise.

Anyway, a long answer to a short question, but I hope it helps.

Cheers,

JAYTEE

Welcome aboard JAYTEE, you are in good company with others who have them same issues in life, nice to have advice and a sounding board when necessary! I use the same methods as you do, some disposable products, and external catheters as well, took a while to find out what worked for me, we are all a bit different in that regard. Enjoy the forum, lots of good topics to get in on! Puffy

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Puffy
BC, Canada
Fighting the "Bladder Battle" since 1995

Puffy, thanks for your message. I know I just got "admitted" to the forum yesterday, but already I feel such relief in communicating with those who have similar incontinence issues. It's like a load taken off my back because other than my wife, I've had no others with whom to discuss incontinence in all its forms. Great to be among you!

JAYTEE