Holidays and Travel

[Tracey1788]

Hello Everyone

As its summer, its the time of year when people travel abroad on holiday. Im planning my holiday in December to a warmer climate. Im just wondering how you guys manage with holidays either symptomatic or fearing a flare-up . Do you just avoid holidays or are there certain precautions that you take.

Im currently undergoing investigation for crohns and am currently symptomatic. Any advice would be great. Looking forward to hearing from you.

 

[Asbestosflaygon]

Hi Tracey, I am new here (Dx last year in june with CD). After a recent 2 week trip to the UK i made a few notes on future travel arrangements. I found (especially if you have troubles with certain foods) looking up restaurants or what kind of food is available around the place you are staying at helped. I found the abundance of fish and chips hard to deal with as i eat only gluten free, non-fried foods. I found a few nice cafe's and restaurants near the hostel i stayed at in paddington that did the trick If possible bring some dry foods with you that you know you are comfortable with. I also paid a visit to the grocery store as soon as i got settled in to the hotel to pick up some gluten free bread and other items. I also always buy a few large 2L bottles of water, that way i don't have to worry about the tap water situation in places i do not know very well.

Sometimes it can be tough, especially on a restrictive diet, but if you plan it out properly you should be OK. Just make sure whoever you are travelling with is aware of your needs so they understand and will accomodate! Don't forget to fill your prescriptions for any medications you take before you go in case your stay is prolonged for any reason! I like to ensure i have at least 7 days extra.

Hope that helps

 

[Tracey1788]

Thank you so much for sharing that with me. Im new to Crohns diagnosis too but was thinking more about travelling abroad, Staying in hotels, flights etc. Im thinking maybe because im currently not receiving treatment and symptomatic that maybe I should delay my holiday until I really know whats what and get the right meds to help me.

I guess I have had symptoms for a few years even though I have been abroad many times before. I think its knowing I have Crohns now that im stressing a bit if that makes sense?

 

[Asbestosflaygon]

No problem Tracey, happy to help! I think if you plan it right, and get to know what foods do and don't work for you before you go that it might be ok. You just need to know where your limits are when travelling (I mean sleep, exertion, heat.. all sorts of external stress factors that i find contribute to how i feel over all) - stress is a big factor for me. Especially if your holidays involve relaxation, that would be nice

It took me about 3 years to get diagnosed (crazy right?) but i travelled and competed in sport competitions all over and managed. Once i was finally diagnosed it was almost a relief in the sense that i now knew why i was feeling the way i was. Yes it can be stressful. But at the same time, there is a lot of support out there to help you approach treating your condition in a positive way. But as I said, traveling (for me) boils down to how comfortable i feel with where I am going and the plan (which i stick to). (Also, obviously, how my condition is before the trip).

 

[Tracey1788]

I think its taken so long for me to get diagnosed was out of sheer embarrassment. I had an accident ( explosive bowels) at work and didn't make it to the loo in time. fortunately I was able to shower and went home in scrubs. I had a dental appointment that afternoon and there was no way I could go in my state. I spoke to my GP (male) about it. I was very embarrassed obviously and he put it down to me being nervous about dentists. It happened a couple of times after that but I learnt to carry spare clothes and dealt with it alone. this year I had tummy pains and presented to my local hospital, they thought I had IBS. I went to my GP(female) and insisted it wasn't and completely broke down and told her what the other doctor had said. She took this all on board and hence my tests were started. Thanx for your advice again x

 

[Axelfl3333]

This is what I do before travel.on the departure day I don,t eat anything just fluids have an immodium,loperamide 3hours before departure and pop one when the flight is called avoid the inflight meal no hardship there and have peppermint sweets with me it helps with wind and try not to stress about travelling odds are nothing,ll happen and most important ave a good holiday.cheers

 

[Geriatric Jukebox]

Hi Tracey,

Like you I traveled a lot before I knew I had Crohn's. I had symptoms but thought they were one off bouts of food poisoning. Since being diagnosed I do worry more when traveling...I guess that's normal. I won't give up travel and take the same precautions the others have suggested. About a month ago I took a riverboat cruise along the Rhine and Mosel rivers. This was the first time I have traveled with Humira. The airlines and boat were very good at keeping my meds refigerated. The only problem I had was being caught out searching for a loo in Strasbourg,Fr. My wife had better eyesight and saw a WC across a small bridge....barely made it!!!! Next time I'll pack spare clothes and handi-wipes in the back pack. Enjoy your trip!

Regards,

Alan