Posted 11/23/2008 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,
I haven't been here in a while because I've been doing so well, I barely even remember that I have UC. I am still taking 4 sulfasalazine a day.
I'm really nervous though because I'm going to Scotland for 10 days next week. My doctor warned me that a plane ride might cause some bleeding, and we realized that my last flare--the one that forced me to get diagnosed--began because I took a long plane flight. Obviously, this worries me, especially because I am traveling with people who do not know I have UC and I would like to try and keep this to myself if possible. I have some questions.
1. I'm taking an overnight flight. Part of my stress involves when to take my medicine and how often. Should I take an extra pill since I'll be up a lot longer than I would normally? I think the chances of me falling asleep on the flight are very slim, and if things go the same way they did the last time I traveled to Europe, I will be awake for two days straight. This confuses me. Do I take the pill every 6 hours whatever which would result in an extra pill when I normally would have been sleeping? Or do I just stick with my 4 a day? Also, if I do fall asleep on the flight, I will miss my last dose of the day. Obviously, I can take it as soon as the flight lands, but that will be several hours too late. Alternately, if things go the same as my last trip to Europe, I slept 14 hours the first night of my stay. That is about 6 hours than I normally receive. Could this be a problem? Sorry for all the minor questions, but I am stressing, and I have OCD, so I need to know the rules in advance so I have guidelines to follow. Tell me it doesn't matter, please! I tend to make things more strict for myself and then cause even more stress than I should have.
2. In the event that I do have bleeding, is there anything I can do to control it? I mean, I'm going there to sight see. The last thing I want to do is be tied to a bathroom. So I want to know what my options are to control a flare besides my usual meds. If you do begin bleeding because of a flight when you're already on meds, will they help control it? This is the first flight I'm taking since I've been diagnosed. Also, could this trigger a flare? I must admit, the thought of going back into a flare scares me more than anything. The other thing I worry about is that I'll have an emergency on the flight but all the bathrooms will be occupied. Ugh, don't want to think about this possibility...
3. This isn't a question, more like venting because I don't know who else to talk about this with. But man, I am so worried I'm going to be a pain to my travel companions. Even now, I feel like my life revolves around my next pill dose. I'm always checking the clock. I'm always worrying about it. Because not only do I need to take it with food and at least 8oz of water, but I need to be near a bathroom after I take it since the water makes me have to pee (though, thankfully, that's all the pills make me do). I've had a lot of problems because I wasn't near a bathroom when it came time to take the pill. I've learned to deal with it, and usually I have someone with me who understands my situation, btu I'm afraid my fellow travelers will not understand why I constantly need to stop and use the restroom or why I eat snacks before dinner because dinner is too late to take my pill with. Ugh. I booked this trip way before I was diagnosed.
Thanks in advance.