UOAA Discussion Board

Looking for any suggestions that might help me overcome my discomfort in intubation away from home. While I am ok when I can be in a private bathroom, I have discomfort/ease in intubating in a public restroom. This even takes place at the bathroom at my office. B/c I know that there could be people waiting, I become self-conscious/anxious not to take too much time. I don't like this! This situation limits me as I try to figure out how to take care of myself before I leave home (which is what I do) but it encumbers me b/c I can't know sometimes how long I will be gone. I have found that I need to intubate 4 times a day: upon rising, around lunch, mid-afternoon, and evening before bed. So, any help/suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I know that I am lucky to have this system, and I have to overcome this problem. I want to travel and do things without worry. Again, thanks. Dahlia

I understand, but to me, it's actually better then the time and embarrassment UC caused me. If there is a line, I let a pregnant women and/or seniors go before me.

To interbate in public restrooms: I remove one side of my pad, insert my cath to let out the gas and what poo comes out easily then, wrap it up with tp or a toilet seat liner and keep it in a zip lock bag, and restick my pad while I pee. I do this over and over until I get to a bathroom where I can rinse it out. I don't even try to irrigate if it's not convenient. It's easier to just wait and empty out the pouch completely before bed once you get to your room. I used to get embarrassed rinsing out my cath in the sink - some folks carry a water bottle and rinse into the toilet. I just wait. I have never had pouchitis reinserting my cath several times before I can rinse.

I do the same at work. I get asked "are you leaving?" cuz they see me with my purse and I just say "nope!". I try to have lunch and then interbate at the place I ate to avoid having to go at work if it's a small bathroom.

When traveling, I eat a bit lighter and carefully chew so that I don't have to deal with a chuck of food stuck. If there are no bathrooms, you can insert and have the poo go into a container with a lid and then toss later.

I carry a small size ozium to mask the smell. Go out and enjoy life!!!

Dear Flemmart,
Thanks so much for your reply and your helpful information. Your ideas were so valuable. I will use them espec. the one about the container.
Hugs,
Dahlia