Does your IBS act up when you travel??

Sitting in a car or an airplane for long trips affects everyone's bowel function, not just folks with trouble there to start with. Drink lots of fluids and be sure to get as much exercise as you can. Take breaks from sitting and move around. Eat lightly and wisely until your bowel function returns to whatever is normal for you.

Travel can be very difficult for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) sufferers, who fear they may not be able to control their symptoms when away from home. If you are one of these persons, here are some travel tips from IFFGD designed to help you avoid and manage symptoms, and help create a sense of being more in control when traveling.

http://www.iffgd.org/store/viewproduct/188

Jeanneac, I choose not to eat out most of the time for the same reasons as you. However, on business trips you can't really pack a lunch, so I do go out with my colleagues. Even in a Mexican restaurant you can find things that won't bother your bowels. For example. do not eat the beans. Order eggs (huevos) if they have it on the menu for lunch, or a fish taco. Avocado is easy to digest and yummy so go for the guacamole. Rice is usually easy on the tummy too. Stay away from the sauces (too much fat) and beef (same). Fajita chicken is probably going to be easy to eat.

Traveling can effect IBS in a lot of different ways, even sitting in the car for long periods of time. Some people fight or flight goes off when they think about getting in a car for a drive and this can trigger IBS.

On the foods were all different but.

Onions can be a problem

The Avocado is high in fats and can be a problem, because fats in general are problematic.

No beans or gas producing veg.

Some of the spices in Mexican foods could be triggers.

Of course foods don''t cause IBS, but are triggers and even the act of eating itself can set it off.

jeanneac, do you do any relaxation exercises or techniques?

I haven't flown anywhere since I landed in my IBS like situation (due to having part of my colon removed for cancer). Only car trips. I eat light the day before I leave and barely anything while traveling. I continue to sip water and nosh on saltines, since sitting in one position like that in a car can mess me up too - just that position kinks up my tract and I can tell I need to stand or move around. I get mild heartburn when I've sat too long in a car. It does help if I'm the one driving, driving takes my mind off my gut. But by fasting or going without solids, I find myself more sleepy so if a family member wants to drive, I let them. I sometimes make the seatbelt very loose and undo my pants' zipper and waistband snap. That does help but again, if I could stand every oh 15 min. that would indeed help. Probably touring around in an RV would be good for an IBS'er? I dunno.....of course you'd have that lovely marine type toilet to deal with.....sigh.

All I know is yes traveling is hardly ever easy for me now. Always a challenge. When I begin packing clothes, coats for a trip, one very important part of my packing is always meds, the crackers, water bottles, etc. Also a change of clothes if I need them quick, in a separate bag and also I wear ultra thin extra long maxi pads, even though I am long past the female need for them, they cover the very back of your underwear and I always wear one when traveling (packing an entire bag for the trip). It's such a comfort to know I am wearing protection that isn't as thick as a depends would be, just in case.

I can see someone in this situation w/o family, just staying home - for the rest of their life. Truly I can. I have a family though and we tend to take short weekend trips. So summers are a challenge for me - always.

Truthfully they're sad when winter sets in and I'm much happier. I am so content to hole up at home and hibernate (except for work and errands, staying home is so comforting to me!).

To those with IBS, etc., who must travel for their jobs, I admire you for making it work somehow. Just so glad that is not my situation.