Flying/Traveling

Argh...

Do any of you have any tips on how to deal with traveling while flaring?

I've really hoped to avoid this but it seems like work is going to make me fly out of state for a bit - it's mainly the airport and the flight itself that concerns me. Unfortunately I'm sure because of where my closest airport is I'll be making a small connecting flight first, quite possibly sans bathroom. On the second, longer flight I'll at least have access to a toilet for part of the time... and don't get me started on busy airport bathrooms.

I was planning on starting a pred course a little in advance to help control my "urges" but my GI told me no steroids when I asked for some reason (it's been quite a while since my last pred course.) He suggested, instead, that I just pop Imodium as needed. I was pretty skeptical about this advice since technically I don't really have what I would personally consider "diarrhea" and sure enough after a bit of experimentation with it, it has failed to have any effect on my "urges" whatsoever. It's getting closer and closer to trip time and I've been able to get anything solid from my GI for the past two weeks, and I seem to be actually getting worse lately to boot.

I doubt anyone has anything too useful to say but honestly part of posting this is just express my fear and frustration with the situation with other people who I know will actually understand. :(

Thanks for the reply. No I haven't - Funny you should mention that though as I'm actually been hoping to get prescribed to some sort of antispasmodic drug next as I suspect my more troubling symptoms are more along the lines of IBS than UC. That's my current "plan" - hopefully it'll have some sort of effect unlike most of the meds I've tried. :(

I tried taking half a pill a few times and a full "normal" dose of 2 a couple more times. As far as waiting for it to take effect I don't know how to answer that? I'd take it in the morning and see how the rest of my day went. I didn't notice any effect whatsoever, other than some new an interesting cramps the first time or two. I still ran into the bathroom just as often in the hours following. If you do something different that works for you then I'm all ears. :) I was thinking of trying a larger dose, like 3 or 4 initially, but my initial results were so discouraging I didn't even bother.

I went to Germany and back and managed to get through the first flight without taking anything, and the one on the way home I managed to make it with two unsuccessful potty trips and a Bentyl. I'd say take some Bentyl with you and just try to relax. Also, don't eat the food if they feed you lol

I used immodium too, but even it couldn't help if I was flaring badly so traveling then was very stressful.
I never had an accident, but I broke a lot of rules and got a few snarky comments from flight attendants. Most were very understanding, they had seen that look before!

I always wore a poise pad, even if I wasn't flaring. Having it on gave me some peace of mind, and it's amazing how the mind affects our gut! A diaper would be even better and I would consider it with those connections.

My GI also prescribed xanax, but I didn't notice it helped me at all. Couldn't even tell I had taken it, but that's just me.

Oh, and no food or drink right before flying. Eat something but well enough ahead of time to get the bowels stimulated and hopefully emptied out some. If it's a long day and you would be starving, bring something like a pbj sandwich and eat it very slowly.

I hope this helps! I've logged a lot of miles with this stupid disease.

Yes Bentyl is an RX by precription. Very cheap and not a controlled drug AFAIK. Your family doc may not be familiar with it. Doesn't your GI have a nurse? That's who I always call. She then asks the doc and gets the RX to the pharmacy electronically. Tell them it's an emergency and you need it NOW.

You don't list mesalamine (Rowasa) enemas on your sig. I've found them helpful.
But of course the best thing I've done is the Specific Carb Diet. That eliminated my D, now I'm trying to eliminate the C and have perfect balance.

It may too late for you right now but I also had success with hypnotherapy for anxiety (well who wouldn't be anxious). Calming the mind helps but nothing can stop the symptoms without additional help.

I tried 3 with no luck, but I tried 4 Imodiums this morning and although I had some weird cramps, feelings, and noise from my gut today, it actually stopped me up all day, so far. I'll try it again in a few days, but right now it is looking hopeful for at least helping in this particular scenario. I'll update again when I know more. I'm still planning on looking into Bentyl and other, similar things though. I'd really prefer something that could help me get rid of these symptoms every day, without totally constipating me, but if this turns out to be useful on rare occasion, that is still a lot better than I have now.

I'm definitely still interested in looking at the anxiety route, be it more developed meditation, therapy, etc. I'm planning on moving soon and hope to look into that route after I'm settled back down.

None of my diet experiments have had any major effect on my symptoms: I don't have D per-say, I have strong urges to go, sometimes they feel mentally triggered, sometimes purely physical and sometimes those are related to gas (cutting down on carbonated beverages seems to make a large impact here) but they seem almost more like spasms at times, and the BMs themselves usually consist of watery mucus, sometimes with a trace of blood and tiny bit of fecal matter... and sometimes thick mucus and/or fairly normal BMs after that. To me this sounds more like IBS symptoms and than UC from a lot of what I've heard other people say. *shrug*

imagardener2: I haven't tried mesalamine enemas, but interestingly enough I asked my GI about it and he said he didn't recommend doing them for anything but minor cases, and didn't recommend doing them combined with oral mesalamine treatments because of the risk over doing it. I thought that was pretty odd considering the number of people here who seem to do it with their GI's blessings and/or suggestion.

I really appreciate all you guys!

It's prescription but I got my regular doctor to prescribe it. Just explain why you need it.

Wear a Depends disposable undergarment & take an extra in your carry-on bag + a few wet-wipes. That prepares you for the worst-case scenario of urgency: leakage. / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)

Yes, I understand that Bentyl is not to be used for severe UC.  It is generally given for IBS symptoms. 

Hope Imodium will help you.  Eat light and what you know does not cause you symptoms!

ElaineNY

I haven't tried that yet - I'll put that on my list though. :) I will say that my now standard double dose (4 pills) is serving me well, though. I've used it twice more in recent days to aid me with a couple of dates I've been on with a new love interest. The only downside was some odd noises coming from my tummy on occasion but that's much, much, much less embarrassing than the alternative.

I had read someplace that Immodium can cause toxic megacolon.  I know I used it last year for travel before I knew I had UC and that's when I got real sick and ended up in the hospital shortly after returning from vacation.  I was in bad shape.  It could just be a coincidence though.  I would like to know for sure if it's not wise to use it because it would be nice to be able to take something to slow things down when I travel or have no bathroom access for long periods of time.  I have just been afraid to try it since I became so ill last year.

I'm very interested in trying more anxiety meds since I do feel like that is a big part of my problem - the 2 I've tried in the past had absolutely no effect, good or bad, on me. I'll be seeing my family doctor within the next few weeks and plan on bringing it up then. My only hesitation is that some of these medications have some absolutely horrible potential side effects and whatnot.