Traveling suggestions?

[Nicole33]

traveling suggestions?


Hey guys,
I haven't been on in a bit. I had a bad reaction to Imuran, (fever, chills, joint pain) and because my ultrasound shows significant parts of my bowel is affected (two parts about 15 cm. each) my GI specialist wants me to start on Humira or Remicade... While we're figuring out insurance and all that I am on entocourt, and its working well. (As I went down to 2 tablets my tummy started to act up a little, so I've gone back up to 3 for the time being.) That was a long preface to my question, haha:
I am going on a trip (to Eastern Europe - with a course on Holocaust sites of memory) for two weeks, leaving on Feb.16th, and I am a little worried, not so much about flares but mostly about diarrhea as we're traveling around, doing lots of long walking tours, staying in hostels, etc... any advice?
Is immodium a bad idea? (I don't think it will even do much)? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Take care, thanks!
~Nicole

 

[Shannon]

Wow, great trip plan!
I have heard immodium is a bad idea for crohnies. Isn't Entocort treating your diarrhea?
My advice is to keep hydrated. Good binding foods for diarrhea are banana, apple cider vinegar (you can buy a jar with what's called "Mother" bacteria which is EXCELLENT for your bowel, and take a few tblspoons a day), ginger tea - and if grains do not bother you, rice is also beneficial.
And of course the obvious, try and stay away from any 'flare' foods, such as dairy, high acid foods (even chicken, which is high in uric acid), and nuts/seeds; plus whatever you have noticed bothers you.
I hope you have an awesome trip, many of my friends have made the same tour and came back amazed.

 

[Rebecca85]

I was told Immodium is OK so long as you're only using it occasionally. So if you don't normally have diarrhoea, but are just concerned about how travelling will affect you, Immodium would be all right. But other meds to ask your doctor about are Lomotil, Questran, or codeine, which can all help with diarrhoea.

 

[flavrphil]

I love traveling and have done a lot despite having Crohn's. For me when I travel the stress in life seems to go away and I feel a lot better. Of course there is that certain aspect of anxiety of finding bathrooms and worried about worst case scenarios, but I think when I travel my mind is overloaded with being in a new country that I almost forget about having Crohn's... (well momentarily). Hopefully the same happens for you.

 

[Miss Spencer]

but mostly about diarrhea as we're traveling around, doing lots of long walking tours, staying in hostels, etc... any advice?

A good incontinence pad or nappy would be your best bet.

If you have an attack of diarrhea whilst walking around, at least the pad will seal it in until you can get to a toilet.

I find it best to put the pad on first and then wear a pair of normal knickers over the top, then get dressed as normal.

Everywhere I go, I carry the following in a backpack:

Three spare adult incontinence nappies
Roll of toilet paper
Wet wipes
Spare underwear
Plastic bag in case I need to put a soiled pad in there for later disposal

Enjoy your holiday.