Dreading camping trip.

[kittysmith]

My husband, son, and I are going camping with my in-laws next week. I have to admit, I'm dreading it. I'm not much of a camper anyway, but I am totally worried about the heat. How do I escape it? And then there's the bladder issues. The bathroom is a good 5 minute walk away. I don't want to be a whiner, but I'm not looking forward to this. Any suggestions on how to maintain MS and my sanity while camping?

[CasinoKathy]

I think your a very brave soul for going along!!

I was going to say make sure you drink lots of water if its hot out, but nix that idea with the bathroom being 5 minutes away!

How about bringing ice packs along (the flat refreezeable ones) to cool yourself off with? When I get hot, or just plain weak I use these on my legs and it helps to re-energize them.

Did I just make up that word--refreezeable--?? Oh well, you know what I mean. I buy the rather large ones at Wal-mart, they come in handy and work quite well.

I can't even walk on the grass anymore or uneven surfaces because of bad balance- so camping would not be for me. I guess walking on all those flat surfaces like--casino floors-- (he-he) suit me just fine.

Wishing you good luck with the camping trip, hope the weather is good for you and may the bathroom trips be far and few between! Kathy

[Deer In Headlights]

You've got ms?

I'm sorry, for the camping trip reminded me of when my doc told me I had ms. I was 3 days in to a 10 RV trip to Yellowstone. My doc called me and told me that I need to have more tests done, but you've got ms. She had been nice because I think that she really cares and we both knew that something was wrong with me. I was wondering why I was wearing glasses and headphones while driving at night, lights and noises really bug me. Now with the In Laws and sanity, I hope you have full support from your dh, he's the one that can make this a good trip. ms symptoms and the bathroom, there are a lot of trees(good for me, male). I have no idea about maintaining ms, just try to relax. I'm new(9 mo) to this game and I don't want to play.

[hunterd]

DO NOT DRINK LESS THAN NORMAL, YOU MAY EVEN WANT TO DRINK MORE!!!! AS FAR AS THE BLADDER ISSUES GO, HAVE TP AT YOUR CAMPSITE IN CASE THAT 5 MINUTES IS TOO FAR (YOU WON`T BE THE FIRST TO USE THE WOODS, TRUST ME, I`M A HUNTER AND I KNOW FROM MYSELF). ENJOY YOURSELF ABOVE ALL ELSE. DURING THE HOTTEST PART OF THE DAY, SEEK OUT THE SHADE. PREVENT DEHYDRATION AT ALL COSTS!!!! HAVE FUN.

DAVE

[getoutside]

Hi...I too am going camping in a couple of weeks. I live in the Pacific NW and am looking forward to a little sun after weeks of rain. It lifts my spirits. I am a little concerned about the heat, too. For now, all we can do is hope for shade and be extra careful not to overexert ourselves.

We also plan to be active half the day and rest during the hottest parts of the day by the river. Soaking my feet in the river sounds very refreshing! Do you have a river or lake wherever you are going camping?

As far as the bathroom goes, having to go at night is the biggest worry for me. When I go camping, I drink during the day and stop a few hours before bedtime to avoid getting up in the middle of the night. That is my big issue. I tend to forget to drink enough during the day and get dehydrated. We'll have to be extra careful to remember this since the bathrooms are so far away and it won't be any fun making our way there in the dark.

In the meantime, try to be optimistic and look forward to your week away from home. It could be a wonderful experience. I wish you the best of times next week!

[Justsayyes]

I just bought these Travel Johns portable urinals. Haven't used them yet, but they seem perfect for camping.

I have a camp chair with a canopy over the top for guaranteed shade. I like to rub ice cubes over my arms/legs/neck for a quick cool down.

I think the key to surviving is going to be icy drinks, shade, portable john if needed.

[DianeD]

[QUOTE=hunterd;1231768]DO NOT DRINK LESS THAN NORMAL, YOU MAY EVEN WANT TO DRINK MORE!!!! AS FAR AS THE BLADDER ISSUES GO, HAVE TP AT YOUR CAMPSITE IN CASE THAT 5 MINUTES IS TOO FAR (YOU WON`T BE THE FIRST TO USE THE WOODS, TRUST ME, I`M A HUNTER AND I KNOW FROM MYSELF). ENJOY YOURSELF ABOVE ALL ELSE. DURING THE HOTTEST PART OF THE DAY, SEEK OUT THE SHADE. PREVENT DEHYDRATION AT ALL COSTS!!!! HAVE FUN.

DAVE[/QUOTE

Dave. You are correct about drinking water, but the woods scenario is so different for men vs. women. I like nature; pictures or picture windows satisfy me though.

This is an instance when I'd choose to stay home! If the poster 'dreads' it and her family is clueless or unconcerned about her need, this is a 'lose, lose' situation.

I'm not against camping for people that find this fun ( I don't!), but personally I cannot be talked into doing things I don't like anymore.

Also, it won't be fun for anyone if she gets ill!

Having said my say, consider an outdoor potty kittysmith. Google them; you'll be amazed at the variety; many with disposable gel packs.

DH and I plan to use them when he finishes his airplane. Small planes don't have 'facitlies' and so there are adaptive devices you can use.

kittysmith, stand your ground gal. Do what you think is right for YOU!

Diane

[Jules A]

I'm only good at camping for a day or two so I can empathsize.

If you are truly dreading the whole thing please tell them and allow them to go alone and have a nice trip.

If you are just dreading the mentioned issues that come with having MS then I would consider the suggestions you have gotten here and also mention that as I recall most times if you are in the woods the heat might not be as unbearable as you might think. I'd also consider wearing Depends if you think you might not be able to make it to the bathroom.

Let us know what you decide and if you go I hope you have a wonderful trip, take lots of pictures and end up with lifelong memories.

[D_HOLLAND]

I think your a very brave soul for going along!!

I was going to say make sure you drink lots of water if its hot out, but nix that idea with the bathroom being 5 minutes away!

How about bringing ice packs along (the flat refreezeable ones) to cool yourself off with? When I get hot, or just plain weak I use these on my legs and it helps to re-energize them.

Did I just make up that word--refreezeable--?? Oh well, you know what I mean. I buy the rather large ones at Wal-mart, they come in handy and work quite well.

I can't even walk on the grass anymore or uneven surfaces because of bad balance- so camping would not be for me. I guess walking on all those flat surfaces like--casino floors-- (he-he) suit me just fine.

Wishing you good luck with the camping trip, hope the weather is good for you and may the bathroom trips be far and few between! Kathy

And it's cool - lol

[dutchtreat]

i will admitt that i didnt read thru all the other posts. i used to take a pail along to pee in, especially for those night time trips. hope that helps.

[Ikoiko]

I was invited on a similar trip, and I just said, "No."

[Justsayyes]

I was really very lucky that my family found a used pop up camper that had air conditioning. I didn't use the a/c very often, but it was there if necessary and if we had an electrical hookup.

I also have this device called a "Coolmate" that we used to use at races we attended. You put cold water in it, pump it to pressurize, and then spray yourself to keep cool.

The least expensive cooling method I use is rubbing ice cubes all over me. Also dipping a cloth in icy water and wiping all over is nice too.

I also used to bring a blow up small swimming pool, we'd fill it up and just sit in it.

One more word on the porta johns.....I know I could literally put that thing down my pants standing up and go without hesitation if I had to. They are that neat. It has a cup and is filled with gel that activates. Roll it up and throw away.

[Sir-Voor]

Walmart has mist spray bottles that help, just feel them with ice water and enjoy. Any misty mate product should help, I think they have a fanny pouch that has a battery fan and a mister.

Other the basics like wear a straw hat, stay in the shade and if there a pool or lake that should be a good place to get cool, I can’t think of anything special.

Good luck and hope you end up enjoying it.

[cosake]

I'm not a camper, either.

Does your family understand the difficulty you will have ? Are they going to plan activities that you can participate in ?

I see people on another message board (for IC bladder issues) that highly recommend the porta-johns as well. Amazon.com has them.

I hope that you can keep cool and get to enjoy some of this trip.

[hunterd]

[QUOTE=DianeD;1231784]

DO NOT DRINK LESS THAN NORMAL, YOU MAY EVEN WANT TO DRINK MORE!!!! AS FAR AS THE BLADDER ISSUES GO, HAVE TP AT YOUR CAMPSITE IN CASE THAT 5 MINUTES IS TOO FAR (YOU WON`T BE THE FIRST TO USE THE WOODS, TRUST ME, I`M A HUNTER AND I KNOW FROM MYSELF). ENJOY YOURSELF ABOVE ALL ELSE. DURING THE HOTTEST PART OF THE DAY, SEEK OUT THE SHADE. PREVENT DEHYDRATION AT ALL COSTS!!!! HAVE FUN.

DAVE[/QUOTE

Dave. You are correct about drinking water, but the woods scenario is so different for men vs. women. I like nature; pictures or picture windows satisfy me though.

This is an instance when I'd choose to stay home! If the poster 'dreads' it and her family is clueless or unconcerned about her need, this is a 'lose, lose' situation.

Also, it won't be fun for anyone if she gets ill!

Having said my say, consider an outdoor potty kittysmith. Google them

kittysmith, stand your ground gal. Do what you think is right for YOU!

Diane

I DO AGREE WITH MOST OF THE COMMENTS. I USE A URINAL OR PORIABLE POTTY (TOILET SEAT ON A PAIL). I`M ALSO IN A WC 24/7, NO USE OF LEGS AT ALL. DON`T LET THE MS STAND IN YOU WAY, IF YOU DO, IT WON. IF YOU TRUELY DON`T WANT TO GO, IT DOES MAKE A GOOD EXCUSE.

DAVE