Flying

I don't like to fly.  Even before my CD, it made me anxious.  But I do like to travel so...Catch 22.  I've only flown for fun a couple of times.  Most of the flights I've been on have been work-related.  But even then,  I would guess I've flown less than 10 times in my life.  So I'm not a frequent flyer.

Last week (work related) I flew for the first time since going into my first major flare.  I downed a bunch of anti-D before getting on the plane.  I did OK but it was just a 2 hour flight.  But the whole time I was anxious about "what if" I have an urgent spell and needed to get to the bathroom?

I worried about that trip for 2 MONTHS.  Which, of course, the stress of the worrying just made my CD symptoms worse.  When I got back to work I found out they want me to attend another conference 2 months from now.  Ugh!!!  In this economic time, I don't really want to say NO...and the part of my brain that pretends I DON'T have CD really wants to go because it's a place I've never been before so I'd like to take advantage of my company sending me and spend a few extra days while there playing.  But I'll have to fly again and this time it'll be a 5 hour flight.

So my questions for you guys:

Are any of you frequent flyers and how do you handle the bathroom situation if your symptoms kick in 35,000 feet in the air?  I don't know what "the rules" are about getting up to go to the bathroom.  I know you're not suppose to get up during the beverage service or whatever but umm....what if you REALLY have to go?  If before or during a flight I start to KNOW I'm going to have a spell, should I tell a flight attendant my situation?  She I tell someone BEFORE boarding? And what are the bathrooms like on a plane?!  I've never been daring enough to go in one.  I know that sounds stupid but I'm claustrophobic and I guess I always think about airplane bathrooms as small tin cans.  I wonder what the lock is like.  OMG...see?  I worry about every little detail!

 

Kittikatt,

I'm so much like you in this category. Flying! aaahhhhh.....I hate it but I need to do it!

I've flown...plenty of times, but in 1994 I decided to stop. Had a really bad flight, emergency landing, fire trucks on the ground, etc. sooo that was the end for me. Promised myself I wouldn't go through all the anxiety again!

Now years later...Like Nanners, I go with anti anxiety drugs! I'm over it! So worth it. Talk with your Dr. and they'll have no problem helping you out I'm sure. We all know that Crohns + Anxiety ...is the worst! Nanners, had no idea there were two bathrooms. I don't know why but I always thought there were one. whew....good to know.

I think we all have the same worries and I know I prepare myself before hand with the anti d's etc. My flights are usually long haul and 11 hours at a time, but nowadays I never go direct so I have a stop in between some where as well, but I usually take the anti D atleast a couple of hours before I fly and then again after a few hours and I am usually fine, not yet have I had the urgency to go on take off, so I have been lucky!I always watch what I eat before flying, nothing that I know will upset me and probably only small portions at a time too and I always carry a spare set of clothes with me wherever I go, even if its only out shopping just in case!

I have flown a lot in my life, and quite a bit since my diagnosis in 2005. I have to say that since my Crohn's became active flying is a lot less fun. First, I try to do daytime flights, after I have had all my morning bathroom activity and before the end of the day when my system is more active also. I make sure to go to the bathroom a lot before I board the plane. I board at the end so that I can use the bigger bathrooms close to the gate at the last possible minute. I eat a little before I fly, because otherwise I feel nauseous, but I eat plain food like white toast so that it doesn't make my system too active. I don't eat on the flight, but I drink a little, either ginger ale or water. Dehydration comes quickly on a plane and makes me feel worse.

If I am having a bad time I let the flight attendants know that I have Crohn's (you may have to explain a little). I warn them that I might have to dash to the bathroom, and I have even gone to the first class cabin in an emergency. They don't love it, but if I have warned them ahead of time they just need a quick, "Remember that I have that disease...I really have to run!" It is absolutely impossible to go to the bathroom during take off and landing, so if you having troubles then I would wear a Depends or something similar in case the need takes you at that moment. I always make sure to go to the bathroom in the plane just before it lands. I ask the flight attendants to give me a heads up just before they put the seatbelt sign on for landing. As Nanners says you can book a seat near the back, so I sometimes go to the bathroom when we land, just before I exit the plane. The flight attendants don't like that much either, but I say the, "Remember I have the disease..." Sometime it is a long walk to customs etc. and there may not be a bathroom until after customs. Lots of walking gets my system going, so I want to be as empty as possible before that walk.

To reassure you, I have never had an accident on a plane. I think that flying actually constipates me a little, so maybe that is a good thing. After the flight I always feel a bit nauseous. It takes my system a couple of days to recover. I drink a lot after flying, because as I said dehydration comes easily and Crohnies get it worse. I would say that you should go for it and not let this DD stop you from advancing your opportunities at work. It will be fine, and you will learn what works for you and what makes it a more comfortable experience. I like Nanners idea of taking something to help your anxiety. If you cannot get that, then I would at least take a couple of extra strength Tylenol to reduce any discomfort you might get. It helps me. Your doctor can help you with any ideas for medication, knowing your own personal situation.

A couple of extra tips: I find that if I am pretty empty I don't spend as much time in the bathroom on the plane. That is good, because people are always waiting to go after you. It is also less smelly!! I try to go during the movie, or at times when most people don't want to get up. As nawlinscate says, an aisle seat is essential. If you have trouble booking this, go early to the airport and explain your situation to the person at the desk. They can usually change your seat assignment.

Good luck and try to enjoy the experience of traveling.

I fly maybe 1-3 times a year.
When I get on the plain I ask the flight attendant to talk to me and tell them I have Anxiety disorder and CD and tell them I may have to run to the toilet with out warning. They are always super nice and let me use the first class toilet if the others are in use. Airplane toilets are the only public toilets I love. You can do your buisness and nobody can hear you :p

I travel mostly around my hobby so nothing will stop me in that hehe

I also hate flying.  about a yr ago I moved from RI to OR (was a total of about 14 hrs.  I used my Lomotil the night before and ate very little...I was also moving in with someone I met online so talk about extra nerves.  Then come this past holiday season we both took a trip back to RI to be with my family and did the same thing (that time they gave me issues about my humira cooler...tough tho I needed it had the script label called ahead etc).  The trouble was on the way back our lst flight (3 each way) got cancelled at 1st we were going to be stuck in San Fran for 4 days...they ended up  adding flights but we still had to remain in San Fran overnight and so being they dont cover costs for hotels we stayed at the airport and they locked bathrooms overnight (we finally found 1 that remained open) ppl were actually breaking into bathrooms since they couldnt find the 1 that stayed open...go figure

I fly once or twice a year and get extremely anxious that I'll have to use the bathroom in a hurry. I take Immodium the night before and in the morning that I fly. I also don't eat anything before flying. Of all the times I have flown, I've never had a problem. I know the worrying is a waste of time but, it's hard not to! If you think about it, the only time you really can NOT get up is during take off and landing which really only takes a few minutes!!! If I have to 'go' in a hurry, I can usually hold it for longer than that. I try to open my book to read right when I get on the plane to take my mind off things. I also like non stop flights so that there is only one take off and landing I have to deal with! I also use deep breathing which helps me.

Good luck, relax and enjoy your flight!! :)