To travel or not to travel, that is the question! :)

[Soybean]

Hello fellow crohnies!
As the title of the thread suggests I'm thinking aboot going travelling, not right now but maybe sometime next year. I dunno if its just a fleeting thought because of everything I've been through in the last year and my current state of mind or if I'm actually gonna go through with it.
I've always wanted to travel to somewhere new and exciting but have always been too serious lol and worried too much aboot having a secure future etc. Well I've got a career and as my collegue has just demonstrated I can take a career break if I write a letter to our store manager so thats fine, but what's not fine is that I'm on Remicade so my wish to go away for 3 months to a year would be scuppered but maybe my Dr might consider putting me on Humira instead and I could take enough with me to keep me well?
In regards to the crohns I'm definitely improving in the tummy and fistula dept and I'm having physio to strengthen my knees and ankles which are getting better week by week. The thing that is bothering me most is the awful fatigue that I'm getting espesh seeing as I'm back to full time work. I don't do anything else but work really, all my spare time is spent sleeping or trying to do housework! Which amongst a few other things is the main reason I want to get away and enjoy living for a bit.
Sam and I haven't thought exactly where we would like to go but we definitely want to include Thailand, Peru and Australia.
Has anyone else gone travelling after being dianosed with crohns? How did you find it? Any hints and tips?
I dunno if I'm just being completely unrealistic or if this is achievable, whether I'm just wanting to run away from everything that's happened in the last year or trying to give myself something to aim towards (in regards to fitness cos I want to do some adventurous things and also will probably do some sort of volunteer work).
Hmmm sorry if this makes no sense lol my heads all confuzzled!
Any thoughts or advice you have would be very much welcome.
Soybean xx

 

[Crohn's 35]

Hi Soybean, I too have not travelled for sometime, I did 10 years ago on my honey moon and it was great but....became ill right after. My own personal thing for me is I have to be pain free for one year or I dont go. Humira is better for travelling. If I have a choice I wouldnt be in a country where this is not adequate information of the disease. Just dont drink anyone's water, drink bottled water or boil everything. You could come and visit Canada..Joanie is next year, I hope. Talk to your doctor about certain shots whilst being in other countries. Just to protect your self.... do I hear wedding bells?? :shifty-t: LOL

 

[Soybean]

Pen!!! Hello lovely are you back on the forum now? Yey! How are you doing? Hope you've been enjoying the summer oh wow would love to come visit you in Canada hehe! Hmmm getting married abroad is something we've thought of in the past but don't know if the family would ever forgive us lol
Yeah was thinking boot the shots thing, I'm currently having to redo the hep b vaccine cos it didn't work the first time round, I know I'm not allowed live vaccines but apart from that I haven't looked in2 wat I'd actually need, will get on that now thanks xx

 

[ThanksP]

I've traveled a bit since my diagnosis. Kuwait(three times), Dubai (twice), Bahrain, Costa Rica (six times), Hawaii, Mexico, Carribbean, and throughout the states as well. My dream is to go to India but that keeps getting put off, first because of Crohn's, and now because my husband is working overseas. I also want to go the Kingdom of Bhutan but it's almost impossible to get a visa to get in.

First, I never planned anything too far in advance just on case I flared. I usually waited until just under a month to buy tickets, book hotels, etc. That way I didn't have to worry about cancelling if I got sick. Only once did I flare right before a trip, but Prednisone, Tramadol and a pillow got me through it. It was a two week trip to Costa Rica and we traveled the whole country, never staying more than 3 days in one place. The pillow came in handy because some of the roads are extremely bumpy. I still enjoyed every moment of it.

I learned that the feeling of travel actually makes me feel better. It got me out of a funk. Travel gave me a greater sense of who I am in the world and having Crohn's is nothing compared to what some people go through on a daily basis. It made me stronger when I realized I could go places without fear and meet new people from all over the world. I was afraid at first because of the "what ifs". But I knew that if I need medical attention while in another country, that they had acceptable hospitals. Plus, I got sick of worrying about "what ifs".

I would suggest reading up extensively on where you want to go first. Learn about the hospitals, check out the websites for their embassies, what vaccines are NEEDED (not jsut suggested). Also learn about how they dispense medications. For example, in India, you do not need a prescription for anything. You just need to know what drug you need. Also, let your doctor know you will be traveling and get a number you can call him (or someone on duty) 24/7 if needed.

Always make sure your meds are in their prescription bottle. Some countries are picky about what they allow in. Again, checking the countries embassy site will probably help you out with all that. The US State Department has a TON of info on every country, travel requirements etc. I know you are from UK but it might help you some.

Most importantly, HAVE FUN! I'm addicted to traveling now and my lists of where I want to go keeps getting longer and longer. I just need my husband home for awhile first. I'd love to go to Peru so if you go, I wanna hear how it was!

I know there are times that our health won't allow us to travel. But when given the chance to go somewhere, DO IT! Life is too short.

 

[Terriernut]

Siobhan, I've travelled and lived around the world! To Africa, all over Europe, to Asia and beyond...

Just dont drink the water! Nothing should ever stop you. Nothing will stop me! You need a nap, have one! Most places in the world arent hectic like we in the west are. You'll find that they are more than happy to accomodate sleep in the middle of the afternoon. They think we are strange to go 24/7...you know, they are right, we are WRONG.

Enjoy the world...enjoy your LIFE!!

 

[DustyKat]

Hey Siobhan,

Here is a UK fact sheet about travel and IBD, loads of info...

http://www.nacc.org.uk/downloads/factsheets/Travel_and_IBD.pdf

Dusty. xxx

 

[Soybean]

Thanks guys! Sorry for the late reply, we've got sams nieces staying with us for the week so I've been super busy and not had time to write a reply.

Wow thanks for the factsheet Dusty - there is sooooo much more to think aboot than I'd even dreamt possible! Some of it seems kinda scary lol I'm sure its not though

I totally agree terriernut our way of life is wrong we need to slow down a bit and chill out!

As long as the crohns stays under control (having a few little niggles atm cos they've reduced my 6mp temporarily as my wbc is low) I'm definitely gonna go for it, will tlk to my gi next week and get his opinion too.

We were in IKEA yesterday and they had a MAHOOSIVE map of the world, Sam and I were choosing all the places we want to go to. I was gonna buy the map to stick up at home and plan our route until I saw the price......£100!! think I'm gonna have to find one that's a bit cheaper! Lol

Soybean xx

 

[Soybean]

ThanksP I'll be sure to take loads of pics in Peru and tell you all the stories you're advice is fab and really makes sense, I too reckon a bit of travelling will get me out of this funk and enjoy all the wonderful things this world has to offer. xx

 

[Bonzo 4]

Soybean go travel !!! I have to Europe several times , on cruises. Live your life, you only have one!!! I worried too on the plane I'm afraid of using bathroom but I never ever had to use it . I think for me a lot is mental . Do it!! You'll love it!!