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Going on Vacation, any advice?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/6/2010 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone, im going on vacation soon to Mexico (its an anniversary gift from my boyfriend) and im still pretty new at all this Colitis stuff. My trips to the bathroom hace significantly gone down, it went from 25 times a day to maybe 2 times (thank god!). Although this has only been like this for the past 2 weeks, and i was intensly flaring for about 6 months.But i was just wondering if there was any percautions i should take while im there or any advice to make my trip a bit easier in case my symptoms decide to act up again.

Thanks :)

Posted 11/6/2010 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
Frankly, Mexico is probably the absolute worst place for someone with gut issues to go.

You should not ingest ANYTHING with local water, including ice or anything that has been cooked with water (like rice). Don't brush your teeth with water from the sink. One little slip and you will know it and be in big trouble. With a sensitive gut you will react more strongly than anyone else and may find yourself not even able to leave the room. The after effects could send you back into a flare that could take weeks to recover from.

Sorry to be so alarmist, but is there any chance you can change the destination??
Posted 11/6/2010 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
In 2001 I was in a similar situation as you, just with a different tropical destination for my honeymoon. I didn't know I had UC yet (found out 6 months later), so I followed these steps:
  • only drank U.S. bottled water
  • only ate well-cooked meats at nice local restaurants (no salads, fruit, drinks, etc) or U.S. fast food if no other options (like Burger King)
  • did not use water when brushing my teeth (the toothbrush was gross afterwards, had to throw it away)
  • only swam in the ocean, not in pools
  • always was aware of the closest bathrooms before leaving on a trip
  • if hiking, took a couple dozen pieces of toilet paper in a plastic baggie (I know, gross ... but much better than resorting to local foliage)


For me, this ensured that my issues didn't ruin the trip, although I certainly wasn't care-free (I was still having D 15-20X per day, often with blood).
Posted 11/7/2010 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
Both my kids have gone from the US to Honduras on church work trips - my younger one, a year after his UC diagnosis. They came back fine, following rules as Lindy mentioned above.
To add to that:
-Do not forget: NO ICE in drinks!!
- watch; sometimes even bottled water is kept in a cooler of local water/ice
- keep your mouth closed while showering
- you're watching and eating no raw fruits and vegetables, but watch - no lettuce on burgers

Actually, they used bottled water for tooth brushing

Bring Immodium!!

If you're mindful of what you're doing, it ought to be fine.
Posted 11/7/2010 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone!

@peetey: no theres no way of changing our destination, weve already paid and everything so i really dont feel like going through the trouble lol, but now at least i know for next time. Thank you for your advice!
Posted 11/7/2010 4:58 AM (GMT 0)
It will depend on how soon you're leaving, but I had success with taking a half of a pill (sorry, don't remember what it was) that my doc prescribed for anxiety. I don't normally have anxiety issues, but the idea of travel (waiting in lines, being stuck somewhere, waiting in traffic) gave me serious anxiety which always makes me poo. Upon explaining that to my dr. he gladly wrote me a script. I testing it out ahead of time, to make sure it wouldn't put me to sleep or something.
It really did help me during those times that I knew would have been stressful to just have a way more relaxed attitude about it.

I also travel with a porta potty thing in the car (yes, I packed it in my luggage and had it in the rental car), but that may not be possible in your situation. I've had to use it several times and it sucks but better than not having it when I need it.
Posted 11/7/2010 5:01 AM (GMT 0)
Pack ALL of your meds in your carry-on luggage. Absolutely do not check any of them! If you're on any liquid medication (ie, enemas), they do not count towards the 1 quart bag limit of liquids. I simply cut the prescription information off of the box, and slip that in a separate baggie with the enemas. It's never been a problem, in that I've never even been questioned about them.

Have fun! (and don't drink the water!) :)
Posted 11/7/2010 5:40 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone soo much!!
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