Can anyone advise me, or relate their experiences, please - I'm aged 82, and have BHP - have been taking both Tamsulosin (initially) and subsequently together with Finesteride. I have found that this combination has made a remarkable and positive difference to normal life - however, I'm wanting to take a long distance holiday flight (11 hours), and I've heard tales of people with BHP experiencing some difficulty in urinating in a pressurised aircraft during long flights. Since commencing Tamsulosin (only) I did one short flight of 3-hours without much difficulty (before adding Finesteride), but obviously am anxious about long-haul flights. Can anyone comment, please..?
A foley catheter might do.
It seems like you can make it. If you get up every 3 hours at bedtime, sit near a lavatory and go every 1 and 1 1/2 and 45 minutes before the scheduled landing. Remember that the urge may come when you least expect it and the toilets might be occupied.
I have had that problem several times in the past. Could not go at all, even overseas flight. I would get some catheters, the small type you can put in your pocket, and learn to use them. Then take your trip and don’t worry about it. I have had to self cath many times on an airplane. Now I don’t need them, but still travel with catheters just in case. I assume it is just a matter of ti e until it happens.
Learn how to self cath. I am younger than you. I took the same combination of drugs that you are taking, but they didn’t help much. I have been self cathing for a year and a half. I have a travel kit I carry with me when traveling. There are lots of different styles of catheters. Find the one(s) that work best for you. In my opinion, a Foley catheter is not a good option for travel, if you can self cath.
Self cathing is good if you have privacy, Not all the time can you get a seat on a plane near a lavatory. A foley catheter is the best option for a long trip on any on any mode of travel.
Why do you need a seat next to a lavatory to self cath? I flew from the East Coast to Hawaii in October, with stops in DC and SF. I sat in the middle of the plane. I had no problem self cathing. If you frequently have the urge to urinate, you are not emptying your bladder each time. When you self cath, you empty your bladder, and the frequency to void is reduced. A Foley catheter introduces other issues, particularly for someone who is not experienced in inserting a catheter.
I wonder if some of the difficulty in urinating while flying is due to sitting around and for many men drinking alcohol as well. If you are very concerned, you might want to avoid drinking alcohol and plan to get up and walk a bit on the plane at regular intervals. Also, there are exercises you can do while seated in a plane. If you have to change planes, I would recommend that, while you are waiting to catch the next plane, walk around the the airport as if you were trying to get a regular day’s worth of walking exercise (this should help with many potential “side effects” of flying not just BPH).
Just some thoughts. Maybe others can provide some insight as to whether or not these suggestions have helped them.
Airplane bathrooms are typically very cramped. When you self cath on a plane, do you typically stand up to self cath?
For long distance travel, I would be more concerned about getting out of your seat frequently (every 60 to 90 minutes) and walking the aisle. Additionally, while in the seat, flex the feet and ankles and raise your knees as high as you can to stimulate circulation. DVT is a killer, especially for we who have more experience in aging.
While intermittent catheters work, you could also consider a leg bag and external catheter. With the bag between the knee and ankle, it’s easy to empty if your balance is good, and you’re not overweight.
I’m 6’ 1" tall. I stand in the lavatory on the plane.
Go before you have to go. Also, walk around or at least stand around for few minutes beforehand.
I would not consider self cathing unless you are already good at it. It can cause bleeding, especially to beginners.
yeah I stand when I self cath whether at home or on the plane
never had a problem due to cabin pressure. i always get an aisle seat and if on a long haul flight i self cath if i want to make sure i get sleep.
news flash most people couldn’t care less what you do, if the see you carrying a catheter into toilet they don’t care or even know what it is. most are glued to their screens anyway or sleeping.
foley catheter - sorry that’s ridiculous and only needed if you were in full retension.
Hello David - I have a few suggestions.
Can you break up your flight into two 6-hour flights?
Take along a bag of salted potato chips and eat it during the flight. The salt will help the kidneys to retain fluid and not dump pee into the bladder.
Wear compression socks and if possible recline.
Good luck
Howard
Yes - I second Hank’s comment - it is very important that unless you CIC you could get yourself into a lot of trouble.
I’m also 82, and take the same two meds. I self-catheterize at home to get rid of the residual urine in my bladder after normal urination. I also fly fairly frequently, and have had no problems with normal urination during my flights, which typically last 5-6 hours. I try to drink plenty of water, and get up every hour to avoid DVT.
You might ask you urologist about the possibility of doubling up on your Tamsulosin prior to your flight.
I agree with that statement, which is why I recommended learning to self cath before trying it for the first time when traveling. You need to learn the technique and find the right catheters that work best for you - size, style, material, lube, etc.
Before I started self cathing, I had retention issues. The urge to urinate would come on suddenly and frequently. While moving around is good for the condition you mentioned, it would not have helped my bladder issues.