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Recently I found it would be a good idea to take along a “go bag” when I take my wife to appointments. She’s having some problems with urination and maybe not getting to a restroom soon enough. She wears Always Discrete and hasn’t had any problem with leakage.


What do some of you take along and what sort of bag do you carry it all in?


I know I could Google it but would rather hear from folks on here. Y’all are more interesting!


I want to add I really enjoy this forum. I’ve learned a lot on here. One important thing I’ve learned is when to back off and shut my mouth. So thank you all!

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To add to PeggySue's list: a couple disposable chux pads or underpads to put on car seat and chair to keep them dry in case of leaks.

One time, my mother wetted the car seat because she was leaning to the side when she sat. It took a lot of cleaning and airing to get rid of the odor. Yuck!!! From then on, I put an underpad down wherever she sat. So glad I did because she did have more leaking accidents.
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Beatty May 2022
Oh yes 😞
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2 extra phone chargers.

Change of pants if she wears them. Otherwise a snap button housedress.

Baby, wipes, lotion and her brand of depends.

A couple of books or magazines.

A couple of waters and some small snacks.

All this can be put into a large ladies purse or backpack.

This will cover her not thru just long appointments but also er visits up to admission.
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Spare clothing & supplies can be tucked away in a bag kept in the car boot/trunk. Fetched when required (if parking is close by).

If you'd rather always be prepared on the spot but travel light, a 'man bag' of your choice could contain one change of underwear. Add wipes, rubbish bag, hand sani if expecting to get caught far from bathroom facilities.

Any sort of tote bag will do.
Or a 'crossbody bag' or 'courier bag' works well if you need your hands free.

Can also contain a water bottle, paperwork etc which is the reason you brought a bag with you! (If your wife is sensitive about the other items & forbids them coming along - have experience with that 😜)

PS. Socks - if she wears.
So many times the socks get wet! However, not going to hurt anyone too much to get home without any. None better than wet!
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I find a backpack to be the easiest way to carry this sort if stuff. It's discreet and can hold all kinds of emergency supplies.

My husband, who is subject b to sudden bouts of dizziness always carries some of his anti-dizzy meds in his. Came in handy just today.
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Hedgie Jun 2022
What does your husband use for anti-dizziness meds? My Mom has a lot of trouble with dizziness and we have never found a good solution. Thanks
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Lots of great ideas! Thanks! I’m able now to put together what will work in our particular situation. I’m going to go with the backpack idea and pick and choose from your replies.

TNtechie, your comment on a first aid kit reminded me of when I cut a finger at a friend’s house. I asked him for a band aid. We searched all over the house……no band aid, no first aid kit. I finally remembered my wife had a first aid kit in her car. Viola! Band aid!
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Christine44 Jun 2022
Re: band aids. Women can stick band aids easily in their wallets! I always have about 5. Come to think of it, men carry wallets, too, so they could do the same.
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Disposable gloves can come in handy.
I always kept a list of meds. with complete details along with blood type. To me this is good to have in glove box as well in case of accident and you aren’t able to explain what is needed. You can also keep this list in your phone.
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I’d add some granola bars, or other non-perishables that you like.

My Dh always gets stuck accompanying me to the ER, and it’s not always convenient to get to a hospital’s snack-bar.
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Christine44 Jun 2022
Re: "...it's not always convenient to get to a hospital's snack-bar."
Or they may be closed to “outsiders.” A hospital I go to regularly for blood checks had both a nice cafeteria and snack bar with fruit, sandwiches, coffee, etc. But for a 2-year period of the pandemic it was open only to staff. A sign said “visitors” could not go there and people with appointments (i.e. patients actually) were not allowed as they were considered "visitors". I take a para-transit bus to this hospital and the first time this happened I went for about 6 hours with no food. Water I could only get by going into a medical office and asking for a cup of water.
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Of the many doctor appointments with my dad and mom I always carried snacks like peanut butter crackers and water. Mom always needed a change of clothes and her depends just in case. Travel pack of baby wipes and hand sanitizer. Trash bags to contain soiled clothes. Hearing aid batteries?

I used a cloth tote bag to carry this. Put mom's wallet in tote with a printed list of her medications, health issues, doctors and mine & sister's phone numbers.
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Not sure if you are asking about a day bag? Or, a 'go bag' for emergencies like a natural disaster. As one of Jehovah's Witnesses, worldwide we have been instructed and encouraged to prepare our emergency go bags should we need them because of civil unrest, weather disasters, earthquakes, war, etc. Mine is a rolling suitcase and it contains a generous first aid kit, bottled water, a portable solar charging device for phones/electronics, power banks, flashlight/batteries, roll of toilet paper, wash cloths, a throw blanket, plastic trash bags, extra pair of shoes along with a few extra pieces of clothing; camping supplies like eating utensils, swiss knife, matches, deck of cards to pass the time, coloring books (for kids if you have any), copies of important documents, money, small canned food along with dried fruit and several bags of rice/beans in vacuumed bag, & extra medication--enough to last several days. I hope that helps a bit--if you were talking about emergency go bags.

Having someone with medical needs for a day trip would be similar in some ways: I found this website about a go bag for ones with dementia by the Alzheimers Society that would be helpful: https://alzheimer.ca/sites/default/files/documents/Be-ready-for-an-emergency-department-visit_My-ready-to-go-bag_Alzheimer-Society-Canada.pdf
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WWiggins Jun 2022
We do have a great list of things we'll need to have to be prepared for emergencies. My mom and I are in the process of updating our go-bags....medications and such, water in the car, stuff such as that. I need to get a better first aid kit, mine's small. Reading what other Witnesses have put in their go-bags helps us to feel better about what we're doing. I'm so happy have seen a reply from a sister (?). 😁
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You may want to include a few N95 rated masks, most medical places (at least where I live) still require masks regardless of vaccine status. And they can no longer be homemade masks, they must be manufactured. You may not ever need them but good to have if you do, and they weigh practically less than nothing.

Ziplock bags can have a variety of uses, too (vomit bags, trash bags- especially for used personal care products, waterproofing electronics, etc.) I keep the extra-large size in my go bag. They are really useful if traveling, too- one of the dirtiest things in any hotel room anywhere I once read was the TV remote so the first thing I do after unpacking is drop the remote into a storage bag). These also have very little weight to them.

A dry washcloth (you could store this in one of the Ziplocks). Baby wipes are great but can dry out. A washcloth beats trying to clean someone with restroom paper towels any day and is very light-weight.

Cough drops. Useful not just for when you're sick. I often find that overly conditioned air can give me a dry throat regardless of how much water I drink. Also very light to carry.

Review your go bag regularly and toss out any expired food, trash, and to make sure the baby wipes are still moist. I keep a 3-day emergency go bag in my vehicle and check it twice a year for the same reasons.
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