what do you to prepare for a trip?

I'm getting ready to fly up to see my parents, I have not traveled in a long time. (2002?) I never did travel well, even before I was DXed, and the last time I did i was in a complete remission. as of right now I am in a flare, a bad one for me and I'm hoping I'm through the worst of it. I really wonder if stress could have brought this on. I'm absolutely terrified to go on long trips. even a trip to the theater is nerve racking, which is probably why I have only been a couple of time in many years.

what can I do help myself get through this

 

a little background, I found out hard way I was a Crohnie. I went to the hospital thinking I got food poisoning, only to find out I had a massive blockage. a few hours later they had me under the knife. Lg and Sm sectioned, and the appendix removed. I got little to no advise on how to live, "just eat normal" seemed to be the buzz words. had a horrible reaction to Asacol, and no one either listened, or didn't care. I was told "oh thats the medicine that works for your disease" so I stopped taking it after several months as I just could not take it what it was doing to me anymore. and for the most part have been trouble free, a few very minor flares, nothing like the current one.

 

I'm sorry for any typos, I have allot of them anyway, but I'm just so tired I don't even care to look right now....uughh I hate this

are you currently being treated by a GI who specializes in Crohn's? The minimum I would do is get something to help you relax for the flight...are you on any meds right now?

Hey Cinpro, yes ask your Dr about the valium and try taking one before you travel so you know how it effects you. You can get valium in 2mg, 5 mg and greater but I am sure just 2 mg would be enought to take the edge off while you travel.

Hi! I also am a nervous traveler. My doc gave me .25 of xanax that way I can take as many as I need without getting too fuzzy. I usually take one when I get to the airport and one after we board before take off. If we hit bumps I might take one more, but thats my max so far. I also tried it at home to make sure it didn't wipe me out. You have to be careful w/ not eating. Sometimes it makes us feel worse. If it is a morning flight that might be ok but not if its later in the day. I usually take a couple immodium w/ anti-gas. I usually pack some safe foods like pretzels or protein bars and eat just enough to keep the naseau at bay. As soon as I get on the plane and stow my bag I use the bathroom one more time (on the plane) before take off. Boarding alone takes a half hour sometimes so I like to get that last chance. I am a fearful flyer and take off is the worst for me...and the door closing. So once I have used the bathroom again, I put on an eye mask, lean back w/ my mp3 player until I have to turn it off. Even then I keep the headphones in just off so as to muffle some of the noise. Ear plugs work too. I just go to a mental happy place. I bring my own neck pillow and blanket and just try to get as comfy as possible. I look like a freak for a 2 hour flight but I don't care. It is how I cope. I book my seat online and make sure I have an aisle seat near the bathroom. You don't want to be fighting the drink cart to get to it. I bring baby wipes and extra meds and anti bac. Because I am so afraid to fly I try to spend as little time in the bathroom as possible. Hence, the anti bac for the hands. I always buy a beverage after I get through security so that I don't have to drink what is handed out on the plane. I hate have my drink on my seat tray because if I have to get up I have no where to put it. Then I end up chugging something I didn't want to drink anyway just to get it out of the way. Instead I just bring my own bottled beverage. (But you have to get it after security). Also, don't stress too much about the seatbelt sign. As long as the flight attendants are still up and about it is relatively safe. If you get up and they say "we are expecting turb. the seatbelt sign is on" just say "its a bathroom emergency" and go. They don't want to clean up your mess and unless it is a true impending catastrophe in the air they will let you go. I was in the worst turb ever and a woman nearly crawled to the bathroom and the f/a's didn't stop her. Just be confident, don't ask permission, and act like you know what you are doing. You will do great!

1 more thing: sorry for the multiple posts. If it is too late to change your seat and you are at the front instead of the rear don't fret. In a bathroom emergency you can go forward and use the business/first class bathroom. I don't know if that is typically allowed but I got sick on a Vegas-Boston flight and was at the front of coach w/ the drink cart blocking my way back. I just walked forward, told the f/a I had a bathroom emergency, and proceeding forward. No problems at all.

I just checked and hubby did get my an aisle seat but we are closer to the front of the plane than the rear. Oh well.

If I was to travel by plane, which I don't ever intend to, I would wear "depends" to make myself feel better/confident, just incase the need arises and the toilet is not available.

Enjoy your trip!

:)

cinpro, well first i have to order my TPN to be deliverd to wherever im going. i can only take one weeks worth with me. in a car. on a plane i take 2 days in a cooler for emergencies. the rest gets shipped . then we just head out with no worries. what CAN happen should not dictate your life. what does happen will. crap happens to all of us at somepoint , but please dont let it run your life. they have restrooms at the movies you know! get out and enjoy the world , it wont wait for you but will pass you by.

Habs - what airline were you on? I have heard some don't let you wait "in line" for the restroom on the plane but I have never run into that.

Haha - well Nanners I not only have the crohns travel anxiety but the big time fear of flying anxiety. That def. makes it worse and worth the extra sedative lol!

I always pack my meds in my carry-on bag along with an extra set of clothes, wipes. I try to pack the things I would need if the worst were to happen. I've only needed the things from the carry-on bag a couple of time but I sure was glad I had them when the need came along.

Just lucky the guy infront that agreed was able to agree and didn't have IBD or IBS himself...that's what my worry would be, on a plane with a few others that also had gut issues, but that would just be my luck LOL!

:)

if anyone else has to fly go with southwest airlines..you sit anywhere you want..i fly a few times a month and always get a seat in the very back next to the bathroom:) Just knowing that you have that safety net eases your mind so I end up never even needing to use it. most of the time the flights arent even close to full.