cruising with incontinence?

[poss]

Both bowel and bladder. Does anyone know for sure whether this is a no-no on cruise lines? Or does each cruise line perhaps make its own rules?

Thanks.

[jkspringtexas]

No problem on Celebrity, just inform your cabin attendant and they will supply disposal bags and tell you how and what to do with them.

 

Be sure to take enough Depends with you. We were on a 14 day rt to Hawaii and on our way back mom ran out. I went to the gift shop looking for pads or anything that would work in a pinch, and the salesperson tried to sell me tampons which was all they had. lol Anyway, went to the medical center and they were able to take care of her needs.

[jkspringtexas]

Sorry, but I forgot to add that you can always call the cruise line special needs department and they will give you answers to your questions that you have before your cruise. We have always found them to be extremely helpful.

[poss]

Thank you. Yes, I will definitely call our cruise line, but just wanted to hear from other people a bit first. I do so hope that it will be ok.

My TA thinks that it may be a problem because (e.g.) what if something goes wrong with the catheter. It never has, but I guess there's always a chance. Not to mention the possibility of a UTI. Not all can be treated by the most common antibiotics that ship is likely to have on board. In fact, come to think of it, no doubt there's not the capability on ship to determine which delightful bug my husband might have.

TA will contact appropriate person after the holiday weekend.

Thanks again.

[xxoocruiser]

Thank you. Yes, I will definitely call our cruise line, but just wanted to hear from other people a bit first. I do so hope that it will be ok.

My TA thinks that it may be a problem because (e.g.) what if something goes wrong with the catheter. It never has, but I guess there's always a chance. Not to mention the possibility of a UTI. Not all can be treated by the most common antibiotics that ship is likely to have on board. In fact, come to think of it, no doubt there's not the capability on ship to determine which delightful bug my husband might have.

TA will contact appropriate person after the holiday weekend.

Thanks again.

 

I personally know several eople who cruise regularly using a catheter. Don't let the TA who is probably has no personal experience with this matter and certainly is not a medical professional attempt to discourage you. The on-board medical department is experienced in this matter as your husband is not the first person to ever cruised with this condition. Please don't over think this. Follow the suggestions stated in the previous post and enjoy your cruise ! :)

Edited May 24, 2014 by xxoocruiser

[poss]

Thanks for continued response. Our TA didn't in any way try to discourage us-- au contraire. She's optimistic. It was I who asked her to please find out the "rules" about these matters because I for sure wouldn't want to try to "sneak" aboard if it was inappropriate for us to be on the ship.

E.g. I'd like to learn that Regent actually has the kind of pad I use at home for the bed, just in case of an accident. I don't, of course, expect them to stock adult diaper/pants (one suitcase for clothes, one for other now-necessities), but I do want to be sure that there's an easy way for me to handle that so that the steward doesn't have to find diaper in the wastebasket each day. And I kind of do worry about the "what-ifs." (UTI, etc.)

So much else is gone from our lives due to some bad medical happenings, and we both so love cruising. I'm hoping very much that we'll be able still to engage in such pleasures. If not, we will simply have to adjust, as we have with some other former delights.

Thanks again for responding.

[selma]

If this already would be an issue, thete would be a huge decrease in number of cruisers. This is not "blink worthy" so to say, so please dont worry.

 

Practicle;

- have own back up in case cath comes loose (understanding he wears them 24/7?). Bit more difficult in men but can be learned to do yourself. This gives best quality of back up care since it can be personalized teaching and literally anywhere in the world can be done if need be when bringing along back up supplies.

- another option could be considering other types of catheters, since there are so many options also for men. Perhaps as back op or even the travel standard. Try out at home first!!!!! To know what works and doesnt

- never expect any medical item or medication to be available onboard and always bring your own if any rral chance of needing it. This includes pads. Supplies onboard in medical facility will be very limited, if any. Not having plenty of what works for "you" constitutes feeling bad mote than anything else.

- carry more supplies than normal. After all no quick back up delivery on sea. Also keep in mind influences like weather (warm equals more drinking, more sweating, increase of some risks like skin issues), travellling (changing on different times and perhaps more often at home to suit times of excursions), different food influences on bowel and bladder etc.

 

Employees dont blink an eye. Obviously nobodies favorite part of a job, but comes with it and all tend to be professional. Depending on wishes, products used, amount of waist etc you can "personalise" to suit. Specific disposal needs are best taken care of before cruising but much can also be arranged with stateroom host. I for instance have my trash emptied at least twice a day ( combining multiple medical wastes with all own issues) and use own waste bags for that.

 

As far as the uti risk; discus it with his urologist. Cultures arent a must have in many situations. Combining personal medical situation with medical history will tend to give a good route for AB choice. Which if risk valids it, can be prescribed as "if need be" by urologist. In more touchy situations it has been known 2 different ab's have been prescribed to have a back ups back up. Heck, real specific culturing takes to long anyway not to start any treatment anyway. If not already aware; know what type of tests work properly and which might give false results in husbands case. For instance my urinostomy results in dipstick and certain cultures always being false positive. Prevents a lot of wrong diagnoses by knowing.

 

Have urologist contact info on you, so if need be things can be checked. Own specialists are always more knowledgable in that case and cathing etc is not something done all that routinely onboard.

 

But honestly? Have both a bladder and bowel that have serious damage. Having said that, it is one of the easiest low key - no issue as long as I got my head up and take my stuff along healt issue I can name on my list. If any, its people themselves or better put; misplaced shame or worry that interfere with travel incl cruising. Not the industry or employees dealing with.

 

Enjoy!

 

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[QuickieGlenn]

From my personal experiences, you need to take whatever you use at home and then some. Being prepared for all problems will help, but you cannot cover them all. Carry all of your needs with you on the ship. If the special suitcase that holds all your needs disappears, you are screwed. Bring pads, kitchen garbage bags, wet ones, whatever you need. Make a list. Maybe your doctor can give you a script for a generic antibiotic, just in case. The water on the ships usually does not effect my system but you never know. I love cruising, , the crew will be very helpful. Plan ahead and have a great time

[Splinter]

Went on many cruises with my mother, who had MS, and did intermittent cath (initially on her own, and later by me). Sometimes she was incontinent between caths, so she wore briefs between caths, and a heavier adult diaper at night. We always took our own supplies: briefs, diapers, "booster pads", catheters, baby wipes, bed pads (disposable Chux), and exam gloves. We also took plastic grocery bags that we used to bag everything soiled up in and put in the trash for the room steward to dispose of. My mother was on a bowel program so bowel incontinence was rarely a problem...we just did bowel care every other day in the AM (with her travel portable commode/shower chair) as we did at home. We always packed for at least 2-3 extra days to accommodate travel delays if necessary.

 

If you take all these types of medical supplies in one suitcase or duffel, and label it as "Medical Supplies" you can check this for no additional charge on the airline. We always took some of the supplies on as our carry-on too, just in case luggage was lost (which thank goodness never happened).

 

We frequently had extra bed pads or briefs left over at the end of the cruise, and instead of packing and having to lug these back home, we usually donated them to the ship's hospital. The nurses were always glad to get them. The duffel we used to take them folded up into one of our regular suitcases, and made the trip home much easier.

 

Once she had a UTI on the ship, and the ship's doctor prescribed an antibiotic. She also had cellulitis once when we were half-way between Hawaii and the mainland, and we also were able to get appropriate antibiotics for this at the ship's hospital. A few times we used an indwelling catheter for flying to/from the ship (which I inserted) and when we did this, her urologist had her take a 1X dose of Cipro when the catheter was inserted, but we never left the catheter in longer than a day.

[poss]

Thank you ever so much for all the in-put on the question of out-put. Really grateful for the time and thought spent in offering help. Very kind.

 

We keep wishing that we could get on some sort of bowel program, but so far we never know when there'll be movement. We are doing Miralax, half capful every afternoon, which seems to be better than suppositories.

 

Catheter is the in-dwelling Foley type, changed by urologist once a month. (We change from day bag to night bag.)

[cruisead]

Also, make absolutely sure you have travel insurance that includes a high amount for emergency evacuation, should a problem occur. You can also look into Med Jet Assist where you can get coverage for a full year.

 

My husband is disabled and we purchase Med Jet because we've come to realize that most ship doctors are not equipped to handle unusual medical situations.

[Mindy97]

Everyone's advice is right on the mark. One thing I'd add is to think of traveling to the port city a day ahead if you are flying, so if your supplies don't all make it you have time to purchase more.

 

I also agree that you should have the urologist prescribe a cycle of antibiotics for use only if needed. You might also want to have your doctor's office include a treatment letter and any medical information they think may be pertinent for you to carry and a copy for the ship.

 

M

[poss]

SO appreciate all the suggestions!

[mdvlprof]

We've never, ever, had problem cruising with incontinent DS. And if you ask room steward, they'll bring big 'hazardous material' trash bags.