Weak Bladders - Tips And Suggestions?

Hello everyone! Eugene here, checking in. Still in the waiting game to test for my CDL permit on December 2 here in Virginia. The High Road training program has been a godsend; I've now graduated to the full practice tests and am scoring very well. I feel very confident in the education and support I've received so far. I have an excellent relationship with my recruiters at Wilson, Prime, and Stevens, and they reach out to me regularly to check in and volunteer their support. I can't wait until it's time to submit my official applications, and, if I'm lucky (knock on wood), find out I'm accepted to company-sponsored training! From what I've read in the CDL Training Diaries so far (and I've read a lot), I feel that I have a very good idea of what to expect.

My question -- and it's a bit embarrassing -- for those of you with weak bladders, how did you cope to the adjustment of life on the road, specifically the team training portion? I spent a decade as a sales manager in the fitness industry and have always been a bit of a health and fitness freak (Packrat, feel free to tease me again lol), so typically I drink anywhere from 1 to 2 gallons of water a day and use the bathroom pretty much around the clock. OBVIOUSLY this is going to change right away -- I'm smart enough to know I won't last a week in trucking if I keep up that kind of consumption! But I've heard horror stories about drivers wearing adult diapers so as not to stop for bathroom breaks, but that sounds completely revolting and I flat-out refuse to do something so disgusting. There has to be middle ground somewhere.

My biggest concern is during the team training portion, waking up in the middle of the night and having to use the restroom while my trainer is driving. I'd be both too embarrassed to ask my trainer to pull over once, twice, or possibly even three times during my 10-hour break just so I can take a leak, and also too embarrassed to ask if I could use a jug so we wouldn't have to pull over. I just read a horrifying post about Stoug Danhope's trainer missing a jug and not cleaning up after himself -- that certainly wouldn't be me, but I also wouldn't want my trainer thinking I'm some kind of Neanderthal lol.

Any suggestions? Dietary, habits, hacks, etc.? Thanks so much!

Most guys use pee bottles. Some dispose of full ones discreetly, inconsiderate ones don't. Some of us wash and reuse the same ones. Since I have never termed, I can't help much there. Communication is key.

You can always pull into a rest area or truck stop.

I only sip water during the day to lessen the need to stop.

Hope that helps.

Drink less.

Drink less.

Bingo! You drink a gallon of water out here daily, for a sustained period, and you'll be in a hospital.

Thanks all! Yeah the drinking less is a given. Naturally I’ll be a lot less physically active by default so won’t need anywhere near as much.

As for the team training, looks like the pee bottle is the way to go and communication is key.

I’m probably overthinking this, but I’m a firm believer that one can never be too prepared! Any feedback is good feedback.

Most guys use pee bottles. Some dispose of full ones discreetly, inconsiderate ones don't. Some of us wash and reuse the same ones. Since I have never termed, I can't help much there. Communication is key.

You can always pull into a rest area or truck stop.

I only sip water during the day to lessen the need to stop.

Hope that helps.

Pfft. Lost count how many times I've seen pee bottles in a porta-potty or, even worse, in a plastic bag NEXT to a Porta-Potty. Yes, I'm talking about the inconsiderate ones. Those are the folks that cause companies to PULL the Porta-Potties and put a sign up saying "Sorry, No Bathrooms".

If you go the pee bottle route, you could empty out a large mouth laundry detergent bottle and use that. That way, it would not be unsightly sitting in your truck, especially for a team mate. You could empty it when parked on the side of the road, but please not at a truck stop or rest area, or any other areas where others park.

If you go the pee bottle route, you could empty out a large mouth laundry detergent bottle and use that. That way, it would not be unsightly sitting in your truck, especially for a team mate. You could empty it when parked on the side of the road, but please not at a truck stop or rest area, or any other areas where others park.

Or carry the damn thing into a restroom on an ACTUAL STOP - and dump it in a TOILET.

Better than wondering if someone left a full gatorade next to the trash. Laundry detergent bottle sounds like a good thing - versus low capacity drink bottles.

I just wonder about the guys that use the bottle, while they're driving. If you can stop on the side of an interstate to use the bottle - you can put the flashers on and pretend you're checking a tire to drain the weasel.

This obviously gets a little more involved for our women folk.

I've got BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia - the medical term for an enlarged prostate) - ahhh - the joys of getting older - so I'm up 2-3 times a night to pee (and it was worse before I got on the meds for it) - and that's without drinking after dinner (and no alcohol consumption).

Yet another reason (excuse) why I'm still staying home doing I.T. - instead of being on the road.

Rick

Thanks all! Yeah the drinking less is a given. Naturally I’ll be a lot less physically active by default so won’t need anywhere near as much.

As for the team training, looks like the pee bottle is the way to go and communication is key.

I’m probably overthinking this, but I’m a firm believer that one can never be too prepared! Any feedback is good feedback.

Believe it or not that was not a sarcastic reply, it was simply the easiest solution to your problem. You do not need so much liquid when you sit still for 10 or so hours of the day. On your 10 you may chose to do some exercise before or after bed or chose to exercise a lot and drink a lot on your 34. But like PackRat says, that much water on this job would have you sick in no time. The pee bottles work great when you are solo but your trainer generally wont want you peeing in a bottle and storing said bottle in their truck. Your best solution while training is to limit your consumption to the bare minimum. Once you go solo you can do as you wish. You can stop every 15 minutes if you want. Drink less.

I am a team trainer who has trained both men and women. Anyone who is 40+ years old and been out here for a few years is going to be able to discuss the realities of life.

We have curtains between the seats and sleeper so your trainer wouldnt need to know if you were using a bottle. Just throw it out. I had issues with men not throwing them away and I dont like that. I think same sex are more open for discussion.... But just imagine being a woman and getting your period. You want to shower more often, get diarrhea.. Cramps... Nauseous... So peeing??? That is nothing to a trainer.

Embarrassment in trucking is as useless as crying in baseball. When you meet your trainer be sure to talk about this. I know trainers in their 50s that stop every 2 hours and others who only stop for the 30 min break and to fuel. Someone like that would get annoyed with you. So best to bring it up before you get on a truck