17 replies to this topic

[Paradigm]

Hello

I posted this in the travel section, but I think it might be more relevant to bladder and bowel... so here I go again:

A bunch of friends are heading off camping in early november, and plan to camp for 5 days... I used to really enjoy camping, and would love very much to go, but figure it's just not possible as I am on a second daily routine...

What do other people do? I'm sick of missing out


Ok, more info maybe?

They will all be travelling by motorcycle, and I'll obviously be in my car...
They will be stopping at different camping grounds each night, and sleeping in tents...

My partner will be there to help with anything I need...


But obviously I'm not going to get out there with my commode and try and hide behind a tree!

I think at best I will have to stay in a hotel every second night (if there are any near), so that I can use the commode.

Probably I will just go for the first night. It's just a shame.


Hmmm... Do para's just not go camping?


Any thoughts?


Ideas?

[Texaswheelz]

I've camped a few times, but not for very long or I made a trip in to town to the nearest handicap accessible restroom. Of course it all depends on what your routine is when it comes to your bowel program.

One thing i always do when I need or want to not have to worry about it for a few days is take something to completely clean out my system a day before i leave. Then when it comes time for me to leave the next day i know i don't have anything to worry about as I'm on empty and normally I'm good for 3 days, unless I go nuts with high fiber or high fat foods. It has worked for the last 5 X-mas trips to the in-laws without fail.

[Paradigm]

Oh right!!!

Thanks Tex!!


I take senokot the night before a 'bowel day'...

So would taking extra of something like senokot work? Or maybe coloxyl?
Scary, could be messy!! Haha...

does it screw up your routine once you want to go back to normal??

[LuckyinKentucky]

On my last camping trip i too k along a miniature toilet seat that has legs and padding on it. It's small enough to fit in my camping gear tupperware (after removing cushion) and worked out just OK. I think my dad ordered it out of a mail order catalog. I tried to find some kind of a manufacturers label on it but found only MADE IN CHINA.

But anyways like i said it only worked ok... It was hard to balance and I basically locked my brakes and left my chair right next to me for something to grab and balance with, and because of all the other stuff i was concentrating on program results weren't the best but were enough to keep me confident.

I had thought about cutting a hole in one of those folding camp chairs but never got past the drawing boards as this worked out for me... but the camp chair may afford more stability... and if all else fails and you do have a tent yu could use the laying on your left side method... that's how i first learned to do it in rehab (it's pretty simple but message me if ya want some step by step's)

We can still do many of the things we once enjoyed it just requires a helluvalot more planning!

[smokymtn memories]

When my daughter got out of high school she worked for a short time for Sears, at the time, they sold a portable pot suitable for tent use in the camping supplies. You might find something useful at a store selling camping supplies, tents, etc. Hope you get to go camping and enjoy.

[Texaswheelz]

Well like I said it depends on your normal routine, I don't normally use anything at all, so when I do on those few occasions it really does the job. I've never taken senokot or anything else like it before.

My routine goes back to normal normally on the 4th day after taking what ever I take, can't even remember what it is atm, as my wife normally stops by wal-mart and picks it up on the way home. I know it is in liquid form and the whole 8 oz bottle taste like shit even though they have several 'flavors'. Pretty sure the main thing in it is Magnesium Citrate.

I was ordered by a Dr. to take it years ago the night before i was having something done, I don't even remember what it was now, but I figure if it cleans me out enough for them, then it does the job. All i can tell ya is it works and works well and you'll probably spent more time then you want to sitting on the toilet as being as lucky as we are we don't know when the flood gates are going to open.

[Texaswheelz]

Well if your wanting to try to come up with a chair to take with you, we have a manufacturer that sells a folding steel commode chair. I haven't seen one in person but the picture of it that i have looks like it folds up pretty small.

From this:



to this:

[RacingAxe]

I've been thinking about this myself. I was planning on getting a bigger tent so I could put the commode chair inside and not have to be out in the woods. Maybe even a tent with two rooms so my chair wouldn't have to be outside when sleeping. I've been to a couple motels this past year and took my commode chair with me. I plan to do the same if I get out camping.

[hockeydahc]

I think I took that same stuff texas. doc ordered it because we thought I was blocked. I wasn't but I literally sat on the toilet for 8 hours. because I was afraid to get up. the stuf did taste disgusting and I almost puked instead of it coming out the other end.. it was an insane saline solution. not sure on the name either.

[darrel]

I had a porta-potty like that on my pontoon boat, it worked great. only boat on the lake that didn't have to go back to the dock every few hours. I think it's great that you want to go camping, I try to do overnighters out at the lake. I survive okay just remember your limits, and don't over do it.

[Paradigm]

ok, say you do the 'potty' thing...

You end up with a bucket of poo in your tent :-|





So then what do you do?

[Texaswheelz]

Dig a hole.

[Paradigm]

LuckyinKentucky, on Sep 27 2007, 02:49 AM, said:

<snip> ... and if all else fails and you do have a tent yu could use the laying on your left side method... that's how i first learned to do it in rehab. <snip>

Oh yeah, I hadn't thought of that...

hockeydahc, on Sep 27 2007, 11:45 AM, said:

<snip> I think I took that same stuff texas. doc ordered it because we thought I was blocked. I wasn't but I literally sat on the toilet for 8 hours. because I was afraid to get up. <snip>

Yeah, that's what I meant when I said it could be scary/messy... Eeeep! But it might be worth it for 3 or 4 days camping... Guess I would have to plan on starting the morning routine EXTRA early and also leaving late

[Paradigm]

Texaswheelz, on Sep 27 2007, 10:44 PM, said:

Dig a hole.

LOL yeah, that figures... I guess it's hard to be discrete... I just need to get over the silly 'embarrassing' stuff...

[Andrew Meddings]

hi riot i went on a 4wd camping trip for 6 weeks camping through central australia with 9 other parra's & a quad. we stayed in some parks with acccessable toilets & sometimes just a bush camp. we had a portable tent with a portable toilet. i would recomend practising using a regular toilet rather than comode. you can see some details of trip at www.foxtrotpapa.org
regards andrew

[darrel]

Riot Grrrl, on Sep 27 2007, 12:12 PM, said:

ok, say you do the 'potty' thing...

You end up with a bucket of poo in your tent :-|





So then what do you do?

first make sure it is in a biodegradable sack, and leave it on your neibors porch......... I mean bury it, the sack helps keep every thing clean.

[Paradigm]

AHHHH!!!

You know what? I've heard about you and your crazy dirt bike antics!! LOL you're famous!!!!

I rang and spoke to a friend I made when I was going through rehab at the Royal Talbot (He's still there, but I've been out nearly 3 months now).

He told me about the recent 'life skills' day and that you were a guest speaker... and he was quite excited about what you're able to do as a T4 para... he's a T5 and I'm T6 so it's like, if you can do it, then maybe we could too... I guess what I'm trying to say is that you were an inspiration to him, and I was inspired by his inspiration!!!
LOL - does that make sense?

We were both injured in motorcycle accidents, anything involving two wheels is near and dear to us ;)


Anyway, he gave me details of your mysapce page and just this week I've been watching the videos on your page!!

How cool is that?!

Edited by Riot Grrrl, 28 September 2007 - 02:00 PM.

[Andrew Meddings]

hi riot we had a good time down at the talbot. you should have come down. im trying to organise a day down there at a go kart track. ive got 3 with hand controls. with the camping foxtrot are organising a trip to cape york in 2009. will be a top trip. still plenty of spots for wheelies. any time you want to try a bike give me a yell
regards andrew