HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Travel anxiety

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/22/2011 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
We're going on a week long vacation on Tuesday and I'm hoping I don't get the travel anxiety too badly. It'll be a short flight, layover and another short flight. And then the destination, which I'm unfamiliar with and won't know where all the bathrooms are. I'm not picky, though, so will just keep an eye out for McDonalds, Starbucks etc. while we're driving around.
My UC has been good lately but stress always does a number on my gut.

I think the only thing I'm nervous about right now is the shuttle to the rental car and getting that taken care of. Once we're in the car I'll have my emergency potty, but it's obviously not something I'll be able to use on the shuttle. shakehead

We're considering sending DH to deal with the rental car and then just come back to pick up the kids and I so I can stay near a bathroom. I'm pretty sure the reservation for the car is in my name but I could just call and change that.

Anyway, just sharing...

Any good travel/stress tips?
Posted 8/22/2011 2:15 AM (GMT 0)
I always take a couple Immodium to hold me over. Travel anxiety is the worst. Have a good trip.
Posted 8/22/2011 5:42 AM (GMT 0)
I like the idea of waiting at the terminal while he gets the car.

For travel I find taking things slow, not rushing, having snack I know I can eat, and having Canasa "just in case" helps :-)

good luck!!
Posted 8/22/2011 8:44 AM (GMT 0)
If possible do whatever it takes to keep you mentally comfortable. I find the anxiety well worth avoiding whenever possible. By the way, what do you use for an emergency potty?
Posted 8/22/2011 11:16 AM (GMT 0)
With too many years of missed venues under my belt, lost time with the kids and embarrassing accident, I'm finally fed up and living better. Hospitalized for the 4th time in Dec 2009 I asked for pain relief and started pain meds. Currently on Imuran, Remicade, and lomotil, I need about 3-10mg oxycodone's per day to live. I started out of the hospital with 6 and have used as little as zero on weekends but if I just cannot afford to go to the bathroom, no way, no how...I'll pop my pill.

Yes they are addictive so you have to be careful but they work like nothing over the counter will. A firm stool once per day.

I also have to take one prior to my Rowasa enemas (another thing I use). Only after a pain pill can I tolerate the spasms they cause going from keeping them in for 30 seconds to all day.

Yep...after 23 years with UC I am finally travelling anywhere I want without worries of urgency. 

Post Edited (Burli) : 8/22/2011 5:19:22 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/22/2011 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
This post makes me very sad; this is no way to live. Living in fear of not having a readily available bathroom or living on pain medication is not living. My heart goes out to all of you who have to make such huge compromises.

Sue
Posted 8/22/2011 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks all, I think I'm going to call my Dr. this morning and see if he'll prescribe me something for anxiety for the airport days. I'm already feeling the anxiety today and last night it took forever for me to fall asleep.

My emergency potty is just a child's potty. I'm a very small person (only 95lbs) so I fit on it, barely. It has a little removable bucket that I line with plastic bags. I haven't had to use it in years but it's quite like a security blanket at this point... just knowing I have it and can use it keeps me calm.
Posted 8/22/2011 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
With regards to the rental: I made the mistake of staying with the suitcases and one child curbside while my husband went and returned the car with the other child. Big mistake! While it certainly made my husbands life easier, the anxiety of being separated made me want to move my bowels so bad!! I couldn't leave my 9 year old while I looked for a bathroom. Just barely made it to one once we were reunited!

I always wear light pads and have extra ones in my purse and they were a lifesaver on my vacation as well.

Stay together so you can pop in to the john in case. Have a FANTASTIC time on your vacation!!
Posted 8/22/2011 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
Good point, Guategirl.
thanks!
Posted 8/22/2011 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
kaopectate has been good for issues when I travel, take it the night before. Also there are usually bathrooms for right when you get off of the plane and let the stewardess know and they can get you up to first class.

Usually when I travel (knock on wood) I don't go as much, I have no idea, maybe because I am so relaxed and happy : )

Though I did have a terrible trip to the UK before and it sounded like machine guns going off as I pooped, not fun in the airplane bathroom, but my farts are usually not stinky when I am flaring. I do have to watch out for sharting though.

My last trip from Washington (state) to Mass I farted the whole way, I was able to lean up to the left and let 'em rip thankfully!! They were quiet and not deadly! Though my sister was looking at me funny.
Posted 8/23/2011 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
Immodium.
Posted 8/23/2011 4:24 AM (GMT 0)
I was flaring for my flight to Germany but I did okay. I had Bentyl with me just in case. I was never actually able to poop in the airplane bathroom even though I needed to... must be a mental block, because I sure wanted to, but people are sitting so close.... Anyways, even though I was going multiple times a day with lots of blood and cramping, I made it through sitting in the airport, the 8-9 hour flight, a few hours waiting for the train, the train ride, the stressful transfer to yet another train, and THAT train ride, all without pooping. I felt like crap when I got there, but I made it! Definitely have a security blanket... even if you get anxiety meds and just have them with you, that could help. Might not even need them. Same with Bentyl, and wearing a pad isn't a bad idea, either. Good luck and have fun.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply