Seatmate’s Bladder Disrupts Sleep

May 19, 2010

in Illness/Medical Stories

Some years ago I was on an overnight TWA flight from New York to London. We took off around 11:00 P.M. with me seated on the aisle. Shortly after takeoff the woman seated next to me at the window needed a trip to the restroom, requiring me to get up and stand aside in the aisle. After several such bathroom visits, which took place regularly every 20 to 30 minutes, she explained she had a bladder problem.

I offered to switch seats, putting her on the aisle and allowing me some much needed sleep. She refused, declaring she must sit next to the window since she suffered from claustrophobia. It was night over the Atlantic; there was nothing to see out the window but pitch blackness. I asked several times without success and suffered through the night with little sleep, continually disturbed by her unrelenting bathroom visits. No other seats were available and I was stuck.

{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }

Laura May 19, 2010 at 4:54 pm

Man, all these people with "diagnosed problems" need to PICK ONE. You're not allowed to be claustrophobic AND have to pee every 20 minutes. Either sit in the aisle seat or wear a diaper FFS.

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Hugh May 19, 2010 at 11:19 pm

Laura, I agree. I would have insisted that she swicth seats. It is expected that everyone get some sleep on a "red-eye" and being interupted every 20 – 30 minutes is excessive. If she refused, I would have enlisted the FA to assist, or I would have feigned such a deep sleep that she would be unable to wake me.

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MM May 19, 2010 at 11:42 pm

Sounds like she was in a worse situation than you were. Can you imagine going to those bathrooms a dozen times when you're claustrophobic? lol

Annoying situation though.

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Karl May 20, 2010 at 2:14 am

The woman was lying! Bladder problem? She was a sex maniac and needed to go to use her dildo. Claustrophobic? The last place she wants to be is in a 2×2 ft. , 6 1/2 ft. high lavatory and on top of it: no window!

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TK May 20, 2010 at 2:19 am

Actually I am the same way on planes. I'm terrified of flying and for some reason it affects my bladder. That's why I always book an aisle seat, so I don't climb over a seatmate every time I need to go.

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paul p May 20, 2010 at 6:10 am

Good answer Hugh.

For the first time you are not insulting or demeaning to the poster.

We all are proud of you………..

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Hugh May 20, 2010 at 7:58 am

Well, hardly my first time, yet you end up being insulting and demeaning to me. Hmmm….what does that say about you?

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paul f May 24, 2010 at 3:40 am

Hugh, you are the one who is known for being insulting and demeaning, not him. So what does that say about you?

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Hugh May 24, 2010 at 11:25 pm

It means that I dispute your claims. Sure, I can be harsh, and I have no problem throwing the BS flag. I think anyone who has been on this site for a while knows there are many BS posts, or people who need a slap to the back of the head. the fact remains, you may disagree with some of my posts, but that is different than me being insulting and demeaning…also, please explain how my original post to this thread was insulting or demeaning…yet *I* was insulted for it?!?!?! and you defend the person who insulted me…hypocritical of both Pauls, I would contend.

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Jim May 20, 2010 at 6:18 am

This lady was incredibly rude. She knows her issues…but, she makes you accomodate her problems. If it is really that big of an issue for her…she shouldn't fly….

Personally, I would think that a claustrophobic person would be better in an aisle seat anyway…rather than being "trapped" in a window seat with something above, in front, behind and beside her…..at least in an aisle seat…she would have the freedom from being closed in so tight…

Oh well…she was rude….

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Dina May 20, 2010 at 4:01 pm

I actually have both these problems myself. (Well, more motion sickness that can be slightly alleviated by looking out a window…) But if it's dark outside? Yeahhhh, that's not going to be terribly helpful, and I'll go for the aisle. Plus, it's not like they let you open the curtains on a long-haul flight anyway. 😛

My guess? She was an inexperienced, scared flier. Hopefully she learned from this experience.

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Laura May 20, 2010 at 5:52 pm

Take Dramamine –> no more motion sickness

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Dina May 24, 2010 at 2:37 pm

Tried it, no joy. 🙁

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Laura May 25, 2010 at 5:20 pm

Try everything, maybe those bracelets or behind the ear patches they use for cruises?

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Aaron May 21, 2010 at 10:28 am

She was definitely being unreasonable. I think I would have fallen fast asleep (or at least faked it) in the window seat during one of her trips to the bathroom.

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Salamandra May 23, 2010 at 3:57 pm

Lots of bs I like aisle because of that, dont like to bother others.

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