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Traveling with UC

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Posted 4/2/2010 1:07 PM (GMT 0)

I havent been on in awhile, mostly due to new job, feeling better, etc.  Its nice to know that you guys are always on here.  Little back ground, I started having symptoms 5-6 years ago, and was in denial for a long time, needless to say got very sick with UC last year, c-diff, lost 40lbs, hospitalized, etc.  Finally got approved for Remicade, started on Pred and Vanco for the Cdiff, after an unsuccessful course of flagyl.  Got better with the remicade after the third dose, tapered off of pred, and got back to work after almost 6 months.  Now I have an opportunity to travel, and I gotta say I am a little scared.  Last summer I was literally crapping my pants all the time, and it happened again last week at work no less!!  Had to change and went home.  Called my GI Doc, and has agreed to doing remicade every 7 weeks now (dose yesterday).  I decided to put myself back on Lialda one per day to help me get through those last weeks before my next treatment.  I have always had some issues in the few weeks before my dose was due, but nothing like this last time with the blood and the urgancy!!  Anyway with this opportunity to travel, by plane for a few days to a Firefighter conference in Indianapolis, I am a little scared to get on that plane...I know that stress is a huge part...any suggestions to the way you go out of town if you do?  Thanks!

Jeff (38 YOM, Father of 2, ages 4 and 2)

Nurse

Assistant Chief

Remicade-every 7 weeks

Lialda 1/day

Daily Multivitamin

Omega 3 (linseed)

Probiotic-Align

Posted 4/2/2010 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
Jwithall78:

In my opinion this aspect of UC has affected me the most.  One cannot forget they have it and it definitely gets in the way of the everyday things like traveling for work and play.  It sounds like your asking for one's protocol when traveling.  All I can say is that I try to make sure I try to empty my system by going to the bathroom early that day and right before you start to travel.  I also sometimes pack a change of clothes that I will have on me, in my carry on bag in case a mistake happens.  I also try to get a seat that in the aisle and I make sure I know where the bathrooms are.  During flight I will try to keep an eye on the bathroom and when open and available make a pit stop just to be on the safe side.  Also some people here and I also have done it take Lomotil or Immodium on the day of travel to slow things down.  I don't believe my diet really effects my UC but caffiene will sometimes make me want to go so I lower or cut out my intake of that when traveling.

I know this all seems like common sense but either one's UC is decently controlled or one has to change on one it treating it.  I hope this helped.

MyUC,  have fun and kick butt on the job

 

Posted 4/2/2010 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
I travel all the time for work and thankfully haven't had any airplane emergencies yet. I echo getting an aisle seat. Also, I got a card from the Lialda display at my GI's office. It's basically a little wallet sized card that says This Person has IBD, etc. I've never used it but I think it would be much easier to discretely show the flight attendant if the seat belt sign was on or even people if there was a line to the restroom and you couldn't wait.

Also if I'm flaring, it's the worse in the morning. So I try not to fly early morning if possible, and don't eat a lot on that day either. I've never done it so won't personally recommend it but I believe others on threads like this have said they've used immodium as well.
Posted 4/2/2010 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
I travel constantly for work and luckily I have never had an accident or close to one while traveling :knocks on wood: Like stated above, I make sure I get up early enough before I leave my home to make sure my bowels clean out as much as possible. Mornings are always my worst and usually after that I'm good for quite a few hours with no problems. I've had to use the bathroom in the airport once or twice but nothing where I had to run. I will also take some imodium as I'm leaving the house and maybe one more a bit before I get on the plane. ALWAYS get an isle seat...if you get stuck in a middle or window, those precious few seconds can cost you dearly if an emergency arises. I'll usually take some tylenol as well just to calm any cramps that may come my way.
Posted 4/2/2010 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks! I probably wont eat until I get where I am going, unfortunately, my symptoms like most here tend to be worse in the am, which of course is when my flight is, so I wont eat until after I get where I am going! I have never taken lomitl or immodium either!

Jeff
Posted 4/2/2010 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
Usually in the morning when I eat breakfast before I leave is when I need to make a trip to the bathroom...I don't know what it is but as soon as food starts to get in my stomach, my bowels wake up again and tell me to go to the bathroom. I usually go 3-4 times in the morning before I leave the house and like you I unfortunately have very early flights. I have one next week that is 6.40 in the morning all the way to LA from Florida so I'll be on a plane for 4-5 hours. I usually have to go first thing when I get out of bed, again after I eat, maybe once more as I'm getting ready then I'll purposely go sit on the toilet myself right before I leave to see if I can get anything else out. I'll pop a couple imodium and tylenol before I walk out and cross my fingers. Sometimes if I have a long flight I'll take one tylenol pm before I get on the plane and sleep my way through it.
Posted 4/2/2010 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
I never take Immodium but when I am flying that is my one exception. The rest of the advice on here is very good. For me, I wouldn't need to necessarily eat nothing, but just eat very small amounts at a time.
Posted 4/9/2010 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for your advice. I really appreciate it. Wish me luck!
Posted 4/9/2010 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
I always take Lomotil before I travel.  Its a must for me or I won't get on that plane.  I do eat lighter that day and am careful as to what I eat.  I always get an aisle seat and one that is close to the bathroom.  I look up the seating maps of the plane I am taking online so I know where I should reserve my seat.  The last time I went to Europe I took a half of a xanax for anxiety plus the lomotil and I was great for the 8hour flight.  If  it helps they do sell adult diapers, if you are having urgency problems the day you go.  One time that I flew I ended up using my baby's diaper just in case I had an accident, I ended up being ok but it put my mind at ease knowing there was something there to protect my clothes.
Posted 4/9/2010 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
I would also recommend immodium. Take it about 30 minutes before you flight, and hopefully after you've been able to have a "productive" visit to the restroom. You can take two, but it might make you miserable later when you are feel full of crap but you can't go. I start with one, if I'm not real bad.

Plane travel has been among the most stressful things for me. Especially when flying into DC after 9/11 when you had to stay in your seat from 30 minutes out or else! It was just knowing I couldnt that was so stressful. Otherwise, I've used the restroom way after the seatbelt light goes on, ask forgiveness instead of permission. I've also gone when the plane was in line to take off, if it was a really long wait. They hate that and claim they have to go to the end of line, but I don't think they really do. I only had one British flight attendant who was a jerk to me, otherwise they deal with all sorts of people and it seems they know about these conditions.

My doc prescribed xanax to try to help with the stress of flying (you know how getting stressed can trigger things) but I don't think it helped.
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