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Have any of you been on an overnight flight while you were in diapers and in the morning awoke to a pretty wet diaper? How have you disposed of it, and have the flight attendants been helpful and understanding if you asked for help in that regard?

Thanks,

JAYTEE

Hello JAYTEE,

I have had two long flights and had to clean up while in flight. I disposed of in in the trash in the lavatory. It took some stuffing but it fit.. As for the question about the flight attendant, there was no need to ask for any help or to let them know.

I echo what Rope said. Had to take a red-eye last year. As day was breaking, I just went into the lav with my back-pack, changed, stuffed the used diaper in the trash chute and that was it. No issues.

When I have flown a long way, I have used a sheath (external catheter) and a leg bag. Once seated, I can get out a neat green bag with a 2 litre night bag inside. connect the two and drainage was assured all the way. Before we landed, my wife took the green bag to empty it and we were fine.

If I was to fly again it would have tpo be a foley catheter but the same would apply otherwise.

Wheels, my thoughts exactly. Currently using coloplast's OPTIMA CC and leg bags of various sizes. Thanks for responding.

Guys, you have brought up what is one of my personal big fears. From reading your stories it is reassuring to see how you have coped with the situation.

As I am bowel incontinent, my experience is probably not what you are looking for, but here goes.

I am terrified of having a bowel accident during air travel. Of course I wear a plastic-backed diaper with plastic pants, but, due to the close proximity of others it would be impossible to hide it from everyone noticing the odor. Then there is the possibility of having to stand with a messy diaper in a line of people frequently waiting to take their turn in the toilet. Disposing of a messy diaper can be a problem (I always double-bag it), but is not nearly so bad as trying to clean up afterward from the fecal accident in the small and awkward space in the toilet.

Admittedly, I am overanxious about this (I won't be offended if you consider it obsessive). However the emotional aspects of dealing with incontinence are very real to us.

To control the incontinence I take my usual morning enema as a preventive measure before going to the airport. However, on a long international flight with a stopover or change of planes, the duration of the trip exceeds the safety period I get from my morning enemas and I again become at risk of an accident, particularly if I have had one or more meals during the trip. Accordingly, soon after landing for a change of planes, I try force the issue during the period between flights.

I go into a toilet and insert a fast-acting bisacodyl stimulant laxative suppository. These usually act on me in about 20 - 25 minutes. I then use the time to continue walking through the airport toward my next gate. When the suppository has done its job I look for a family or disabled toilet for some privacy so that I can clean up and change diapers. It is not pleasant, but, in this manner I accomplish a controlled bowel movement during my relatively brief time on the ground between flights and reduce the possibility of an accident during the remaining flight(s).

All of this sounds weird, but consider that, despite my bowel incontinence and anxiety about it, I still am traveling internationally.

--John

You go, John! My thoughts exactly, e.g., you've got guts and grit, and I admire you for keeping at it. Since I have an ileostomy, I don't have to cope with that problem, though I've had a couple of full pouches when the clips popped off. Not fun.

Is there a portable enema rig you could take with you and use that would obviate the need to use a time consuming suppository? Worried about noise? How many times have you taken the throne in an airport and heard the guy next door erupt like Vesuvius?!

Jaytee, most so-called portable enema kits (usually syringes or dual-purpose douche kits) just would not be practical for use in a public restroom or even a disabled restroom, given the expected difficulties of filling, and possibly refilling, the bag or bulb, and then finding a suitably high place and means to hang a bag and then clean it afterward. I say this even though my enema kit always is with me during international travel in my carry-on backpack - it is too critical to my health to risk losing in a suitcase.

Should an enema kit be lost, it may be nearly impossible for a traveler to replace. In some countries enema kits are not found on-the-shelf in pharmacies. In others, one cannot purchase an enema kit without a doctor's prescription.

As to location, in an airport family or disabled bathroom, one usually can find some privacy, but there is no guarantee that one will be available when and where needed, particularly overseas. I remember waiting for some time for the only disabled toilet nearby, only to have the plane's captain walk out!

My apologies to all as I realize that the discussion has moved away from the stated topic.

--John

Since I am in a wheelchair and a diaper I hasn't been on a plane since my car accident. I have to fly to Europe for a couple a week or so. My caregiver is coming with me. If I have a uriv or bowel accident on the plane how does my caregiver change my diaper? On the plane. I will also protect the seats with underpads

Jenna, That might be something you want to address with the airline before you go. I am sure they have suggestions on how to handle that since I am sure others in your same predicament have flown before.

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