HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Question about flying..

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/28/2008 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
I am having a bad flare right now(back on my ASA meds, but they aren't helping at this point yet), and have a doc appointment for 2 days after I return) and we are going to Vegas next Sunday(morning which is my worse time of day).

I know there are times during the flight they don't let you go to the bathroom, plus there are also times there is a line at both bathrooms.

Can you see where I am heading here? 

What do you do if your in flight, and have an "attack" of I have to go NOW!

Would taking to the stewardess when boarding help?

Posted 9/28/2008 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
I would suggest you make sure you go before boarding (of course) and ask them to tell you the last possible second you can go before landing.

now, I know sometimes you can go, and you dont have to go and then 10 minutes later, you have to go...then what?

when I have a short flight, I dont eat before going or on board (if it is short) or I eat boring food (bring my own bagel, etc) This way there is less chance I will have to go.  I never have coffee.

I always take Immodium or Lomotil before travelling. 

when I was in a really bad flare and nothing was working and I had a long flight, I wore Depends (more embarrassing to buy than wear, you cant see them, I promise) It was more for peace of mind than to save me.

Hope those tips help

As for telling the flight attendants... it is good if they know, but they cant let you do during those really specific times due to risk so I dont know if they can make exceptions.  I dont think they would

Posted 9/28/2008 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
That's all good advice. I have used the bathroom when the seatbelt sign is on, and flight attendants have not cared. I felt they knew I would only do that if I really needed to, there are lots of people with problems like ours trying to travel.

Immodium can help, and eating just a little something bland to keep acids down helps me. My doc game me an anti-anxiety drug, but I don't think it did anything. I would use Depends if I needed to, too.

Another hint: check out where the bathrooms are on that kind of airplane (you can find it online), and get an aisle seat near them. For example, Midwest's bathrooms are only in the back of the plane, and since they serve food, and drinks, and cookies, the service cart can block the way to the back of the plane for much of the flight. So get a seat in the very back!!

Thank goodness they no longer make us stay in our seats 30 minutes into and out of D.C., that was torture!
Posted 9/28/2008 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
Something I know from experience - the rules regarding passengers being up during those take-off and landing times (not final approach or taxi, mind you, but those times where they put the seatbelt sign on), is that they can not stop you from going, but if you ask, they have to tell you no. I had a conversation a year ago with a very annoying male attendant who told me no when I HAD to go - there was no real reason yet that I couldn't, but I told him it was an emergency. He sighed, and told me that he HAS to tell me no, but that he couldn't stop me. SO I went, because I had to. Also, there are situations where people have taken off and landed when a passenger has been in the bathroom - it has happened.

I only say these things so that you know that in the event of a underpants-soiling event, you can go. I would however, do all the things mentioned above, to include telling the flight attendants - that CAN'T hurt. Most times they are extremely understanding and very helpful wherever they can be. If they know, they can better assist you. If they don't, or are completely condescending - I am sure the airline would love to hear about it.

Depends is an option that despite my pride, I am going to start using for situations like this and drives.
Posted 9/28/2008 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
thank you everyone....
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply