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Travelling to Italy!

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Posted 9/15/2014 1:00 PM (GMT 0)
Will be having a girly getaway in Italy on Friday for four nights. We've rented an apartment with one bathroom between the six of us... :/ Italy is literally the land of gluten, coffee and wine... not the best thing for my active UC but I just really need this break!

This is my first holiday since diagnosis and I'm quite scared. We're going to be doing a lot of sightseeing and I hope my fatigue doesn't get the better of me because I don't want to ruin it for everyone else. I hope travelling with my meds will be alright... we're only taking carry-ons, and I'll need to take my steroid enemas, as well as my supplement powders. I hope they don't think my bag of white powder is drugs or anything! It'll be fine as long as it's in the original packaging right?

I don't suppose there are any special precautions UCers need to take when flying? Hoping for the best!
Posted 9/15/2014 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
I wouldn't worry about your "white powder". I have never had an issue with it on a airline and if there is any question, they always take a swab and run it through their machine to test it. I've always wanted to go to Italy, well anywhere in Europe in fact. Sounds like you'll have a great time. Do you have an issue with urgency? It sounds more like you are concerned about being tired, hope you get the rest and relaxation you need, good luck!
Posted 9/15/2014 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds fun, enjoy your trip. Your medications and supplements will be fine when kept in their original packaging.
Posted 9/15/2014 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
One thing I noticed when travelling to Europe is that quite a few washrooms require you to pay to use them (a really weird concept to us North Americans). Its not expensive, usually 10 cents to a dollar or two, but make sure you carry around a few coins when you go, just in case!
Posted 9/15/2014 2:00 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys! Yes urgency is somewhat of an issue, but fatigue is my main one. I'm also easily embarrassed and will hate sharing the bathroom with five other people. Will be sure to have coins on me at all times.

I had been trying to give gluten free a go, but there's no way I'm going to Italy and not eating all the pizza I can get my hands on!
Posted 9/15/2014 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
Always keep paper towels or a little tp on you in case you need it in a pinch!
Posted 9/15/2014 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
My mom just came back from Italy. She is gluten free - she had absolutely no problem at all finding food. In fact, they made fresh gluten free pasta and bread for her.
Her comments were that Italy is not what we think it is here in the states. Of course it is gorgeous and amazing just like most would say but they do not eat the way we think they do. They eat very fresh meals - they do not eat a ton and pizza is not the only source of food there. Lots of fresh veggies, olives, soft cheeses, seafood and meat.

No worries - you will be fine!
Posted 9/15/2014 11:00 PM (GMT 0)

jse said...
My mom just came back from Italy. She is gluten free - she had absolutely no problem at all finding food. In fact, they made fresh gluten free pasta and bread for her.
Her comments were that Italy is not what we think it is here in the states. Of course it is gorgeous and amazing just like most would say but they do not eat the way we think they do. They eat very fresh meals - they do not eat a ton and pizza is not the only source of food there. Lots of fresh veggies, olives, soft cheeses, seafood and meat.

No worries - you will be fine!

Oh that's amazing, was not expecting gluten free to be an option! You've got me really excited for all this fresh yummy food now :)
Posted 9/15/2014 11:00 PM (GMT 0)

jse said...
My mom just came back from Italy. She is gluten free - she had absolutely no problem at all finding food. In fact, they made fresh gluten free pasta and bread for her.
Her comments were that Italy is not what we think it is here in the states. Of course it is gorgeous and amazing just like most would say but they do not eat the way we think they do. They eat very fresh meals - they do not eat a ton and pizza is not the only source of food there. Lots of fresh veggies, olives, soft cheeses, seafood and meat.

No worries - you will be fine!

Oh that's amazing, was not expecting gluten free to be an option! You've got me really excited for all this fresh yummy food now :)
Posted 9/15/2014 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
Italy has a very high rate of celiac disease. GF should be no problem at all while there.
Posted 9/16/2014 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
It sounds like your going to have a wonderful time with your friends!

My tip is to place half of your meds in a different bag, so they are not altogether, just in case you misplace your bag.....hope you have a blast!
Posted 9/19/2014 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
I travel by a lot for work (about 2 trips/month) so I have developed a game plan for plane travel.
-I've never had a problem with meds in my bag.
-I always keep imodium in my purse in case of an emergency.
-If I feel a bit of urgency, I whisper in the ear of some airport personnel that I have a bowel condition and would appreciate getting through security ASAP to get to a bathroom, and they scoot me through very quickly (I try not to abuse this privilege but it calms my nerves knowing I can do this if necessary).

I also have an upcoming trip with my boyfriend and 2 other couples and for a few nights we will be staying at a place with only 1 bathroom! The idea of it is giving me anxiety!! Let me know how it works out for you. I'm thinking I will be upfront about my condition, in case I do at one point need to bang on the door of the bathroom in a panic. I also plan on scoping out bathrooms in the lobby of the hotel, or nearby cafe's with a bathroom so I have an exit strategy.

Good luck and enjoy your trip!!
Posted 9/20/2014 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hoping your trip goes well Maria!

I'm in Italy right now, and it's gorgeous and amazing as expected, but I'm so bloody tired. Been sightseeing all day, and every time I subtly try to tell my friends I'm dying and need to go home we start off, but then they'll get distracted by something in a shop and will spend ages there, and I'm feeling like such a buzzkill :(

Urgency is thankfully under control, it's just this fatigue that's really ruining things. Just want to stay in the hotel and sleep and I feel really boring.

Oh also, managed to get through airport security with all my enemas and powder with no trouble.
Posted 9/21/2014 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
Why not just jump in a taxi and go back to your hotel room for a couple of hours nap, and then once you have "re charged your batteries" you can join them later...that's what I would do, and that way everyone is happy.
Posted 9/21/2014 7:42 AM (GMT 0)

Poppie said...
Why not just jump in a taxi and go back to your hotel room for a couple of hours nap, and then once you have "re charged your batteries" you can join them later...that's what I would do, and that way everyone is happy.

Yeah I might give that a try today. I must have travellers constipation or something, because I really haven't been much since I've been here, and the tiredness is my main thing.
Posted 9/21/2014 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
Constipation sometimes isn't a bad thing, haha. I am happy you made it safely and it sounds like your UC is behaving. You should just go back and nap and make a plan for meeting them later if you need to. It's hard to enjoy yourself if you're dragging your feet with fatigue. Have fun :)
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