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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/4/2011 9:29 AM (GMT 0)
I will be travelling to Europe in 7 weeks and will be staying for 7 weeks. last time I was in Europe i suffered a very bad flare and almost ended up in hospital. It took me months to recover and I lost alot of weight. Anyone have any tips on how to prevent this from happening again? I live in Australia, don't know weather that helps or not.
Posted 6/4/2011 12:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hey nixib,
What meds are you on? Are you flaring at the moment or in remission?
You should really talk to your GI, about your travel plans as I'm sure they can offer helpful suggestions.
Good Luck with your trip.
Posted 6/4/2011 12:08 PM (GMT 0)
i'm sort of flaring... more like a flare down i guess, or mini flare. I am on salokfalk, mercaptopurine, and endep. I am planing on seeing the GI before i go as i also need a letter to say what medications i am on as i will have to carry them with me in my hand luggage and some countries will ask for proof when going through airport customs. Just wanted to know if anyone had anything else to add apart from the doctors advice.
Posted 6/4/2011 12:25 PM (GMT 0)
Are you taking out a travelers health insurance plan? That would be my first thought, just in case.
My suggestion: drink bottled water. Not because the water isn't safe there but because it is different and could upset your stomach. And also because drinking water keeps you hydrated. Dehydration is an issue with UC.

Second tip: have this phrase written out in several languages. "Where is the toilet please." My DH who has no UC or any other problems had this in his pocket when we went to Italy years ago.

Now that I have UC my approach to traveling is to travel less miles, stay in a central location and see things in depth, rather than briefly while zooming by.

If money were no object however I would rent a small RV van in Europe and drive around the countryside secure that my toilet was with me. :-) Park it to visit city centres.

Good luck and have fun.
Posted 6/4/2011 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
Well I travelled and lived mainly in Ieland and England.. a bit of paris, pragues and madrid.
When I was in Ireland and england i felt really comfy as you can always go to a pub for the toilets and trust me they are everywhere!! and poeple dont care there as who comes in and out. And for me it was a reason for another drink :P
The other locations were more tricky but usually any european big location would have outside public toilets. Alway carry change with you cause in case of emergency you dont want to ask for change.
I also tried to avoid certain food ... well was difficult as im a good eater and love my drinks but mainly you walk so much that I would say the main thing is to not forget to hydrate. I had lots of dehydration and this causes cramps and constipation wich you dont want.
I would divide my activities such as a bit of indoors and outdoors.
If I felt i wasnt cnfident with my colon behaving i would do a museum where there are toilets (and superbly clean ones) every corner.
When i felt moe comfy i would walk and go to parks.
Another great activity that you could do when you arent 100 pourcent is cruising... always loos on the boat and it relaxed me sooo much.
But if i need to go im always ready to go to a restaurent and a cafe and buy stuff there too... anything to feel better after!
Take a room with toilets as in hostels sometijes there is a queue in the morning... and no privacy (especially if you need to fart in bed lol )

Traveling is wonderful and there is ways to travel in UC style! You go girl!
Posted 6/4/2011 10:35 PM (GMT 0)

imagardener2 said...
Are you taking out a travelers health insurance plan? That would be my first thought, just in case.
My suggestion: drink bottled water. Not because the water isn't safe there but because it is different and could upset your stomach. And also because drinking water keeps you hydrated. Dehydration is an issue with UC.[/quote

Insurance is a very good thing as well as checking in advance the possible doctors at the places where you are going to stay.
Second, water, as imagarener2 mentioned, esp on the plane. Do not even wash your hands in the water in the restrooms on the plane. Just use the hand sanitizer while on board and wash your hands normally while in at the airport, making connecting flights. Maybe it seems stupid for some people, but I treat it rather seriously since I've heard about it from my kids' pediatrician some time age, when I was going to Europe with my 6 months old kid. Back then, it was rather suggestion for my kid, but you never know for how long water has been storage in the plane's tank or whatever.

Are you planning to stay mostly in one place? What country/countries? I'm askin, because I'm from Poland and can tell you few things about what to avoid from eating in some places.

Anyway, I hope you will have a nice trip to Europe and you'll find out how beautiful place it is.

Posted 6/5/2011 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
watch what you eat, carry hand sanitizer, and try not to get sick!
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