Posted 8/7/2016 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
Ulcerative colitis creates crazy urgency, sometimes we have less than a minute's notice between the first warning sign and when we empty our bowels on a toilet or before (should we trip or be too far away). As such, fears and anxieties can run wild when we find ourselves far from a toilet like when driving and during airport/airplane travel. It's a subconscious thing, and therefore not something easy to tame, control, or rationalize your way out of. It's an irrational thought, much like a phobia (such as a fear of spiders) and needs to be dealt with in the same manner. Do some confidence building short drives during the time when these anxieties typically hit (like early am). Repeated, controlled exposure and success can overrule the subconscious mind. Know where your bathroom stops are, go get yourself a coffee or something on weekend mornings. Repeated success stories will quell the fears, and you'll be better able to handle similar situations. I tend to find it eases the mind by being prepared for the worst case scenario. I keep an emergency kit in my car, a 1 gallon ziplock bag containing a change of underwear, tp, and wet wipes. I also keep extra pants in the car. Good for peace of mind.
There's no easy button, fears and anxieties due to uc are something we all faface to varying degrees. And don't be afraid to seek counseling, anxiety medications, and so forth. Sometimes we can manage on our own, other times we need extra help from others.
Oh and Imodium can calm the gut before drives/travel.
Good luck,