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12 hour car ride

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Posted 8/15/2014 12:59 PM (GMT 0)
Tomorrow my husband and I are traveling 12 hours by car. This will be our first trip since I was diagnosed. My symptoms have been quiet but I am still a bit anxious...
Posted 8/15/2014 1:22 PM (GMT 0)
We did a 13 hour car ride earlier this summer and I'm flaring. I had to take imodium.
Posted 8/15/2014 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
I have Lomotil that I have been carrying everywhere I go lol
Posted 8/15/2014 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
I know your fear. I did a 26ish hour drive form Toronto to Miami over Christmas. If your flare is minor or you are in remission, it may be a good idea to give Immodium a shot!
Posted 8/15/2014 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
The worry never goes away, no matter how well you are doing uc symptom-wise. Best you can do is be prepared, take imodium, bring an emergency kit (a ziplock bag with a change of underwear, wet wipes, and toilet paper), skip a meal before driving, and eat lightly while traveling.
Posted 8/15/2014 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
Potty-van comes in very handy for situations like this....best of luck on your trip, hopefully you'll be able to at least make it to any bathrooms (some trips, every bathroom lol) before you have an accident in your pants...been there done that, not fun...reason why we bought a van and put a potty in the back of it (where the bench seat is (we took the bench seat out of ours and stuck a portable potty back there) works like a charm under the circumstances.
Posted 8/15/2014 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hope your trip is successful! The more anxious you get about having an accident, the more likely it is you'll have one. Just go prepared, be sensible about what you eat and hopefully it'll all be fine :)
Posted 8/15/2014 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
I bought an App for my phone called iExit which gives me all the restrooms in the area with rest stops, gas stations, restaurants, hotels, etc. I used iExit on an 8 hour car ride with Imodium and it worked out well for me.
Posted 8/15/2014 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
I had just come back to mention the iExit app! It has come in very handy traveling.
Posted 8/15/2014 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
I know your anxiety all to well! ... When I was in a HUGE flare, 15x a day BM I would take two immodium and I would be fine for the day, especially for long road trips. I respond very well to Immodium, however your doctor can possibly prescribe you something stronger. Though I doubt you need that based on your symptoms being "quiet"

Good luck and let us know how it works for you!

Also, you can always buy a portable potty. I know that sounds awful, but for me we would keep it in the trunk. Never have had to use it, it just gives me peace of mind which always helps the stress of my gut.
Posted 8/15/2014 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
Giving your self peace-of-mind is the big one here. If you can assure yourself you are prepared for the worst scenario then it calms the mind which in turn calms the gut (whether that is taking imodium, having an emergency kit, a cellphone app that tells you where the next restroom is, or a portable toilet just in case you need it, or all of the above). Because if your mind is stressed out then your gut will be as well, which is bad because it will make the odds of you having to poop more likely, and will make the need to poop all that more urgent.

Fear is the underwear stainer/ruiner lol :-)
Posted 8/15/2014 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
I also had anti-spasm medicine, it does help with some of the urges and spasms in the rectum.
Posted 8/15/2014 4:46 PM (GMT 0)

TrinitySierra said...
I know your anxiety all to well! ... When I was in a HUGE flare, 15x a day BM I would take two immodium and I would be fine for the day, especially for long road trips. I respond very well to Immodium, however your doctor can possibly prescribe you something stronger. Though I doubt you need that based on your symptoms being "quiet"

The stronger meds like Lomotil when first starting it can make you groggy so if you are the driver then it might not be advisable; some of the pain meds that slow the gut can make it illegal for you to drive the vehicle.
Posted 8/15/2014 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I'd pass on the Lomotil as well and opt for just ONE Imodium.

If you have your bms mostly in the morning, don't leave until it's done.

Wherever you're going, don't forget your meds and have fun ;-)

q
Posted 8/15/2014 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all! I will pick up some Imodium as well and have a bag prepared with change of clothes, wipes etc. I love the idea of an app that located all the bathrooms! I will check for one of those now.
Posted 8/16/2014 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
Imodium, water with that, do not eat!
Posted 8/17/2014 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
We made it to our destination without issues. Half way home now snd still going well! I did download an app called bathroom scout. Love it!
Posted 8/17/2014 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats
Posted 8/17/2014 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
Traveling 12 hours isn't the issue, it's where are the stops! If I were you I'd be busy mapping it on Google and probably be able to tell you every gas station and convenience store along the way.
Posted 8/18/2014 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
good to hear all was well.

q
Posted 8/18/2014 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all! Made it home without any issues. I am having no symptoms since starting meds and following a strict low carb/Gluten free diet. Praying it stays this way....
Posted 8/19/2014 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
i just bring toilet paper and run in the woods on long trips if i have to go
Posted 8/19/2014 3:51 PM (GMT 0)

turnpkegates said...
i just bring toilet paper and run in the woods on long trips if i have to go

I was prepared to! Never had to though :-)
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