Advice for gastro symptoms and travelling

[theorah]

Hello!

My endometriosis is mixed in with a lot of gastro symptoms- along with chronic pelvic pain, I tend to get very bloated/uncomfortable often and sometimes need urgent trips to the toilet. Im on a very very long waiting list to get things sorted, unfortunately.

Im taking a holiday to Japan next month for two weeks, and frankly Im stressing out a little bit at the prospect of having to deal with these tummy problems while I'm travelling. My symptoms are chronic and not triggered by anything in particular outside of getting worse during different points of my menstrual cycle, so hard to control any 'triggers' for flare ups.

I was wondering if anyone has any advice on how to lesser symptoms while I'm there or beforehand. Im going to cut down on caffeine and try change diet (as much as I can afford, Im on a low income) before I go, and try take it physically easy while Im over there.

Are there any types of IBS over the counter medicine that work well for these types of symptoms? Are there are tips in general from people who have travelled?

Thank you for any help you can offer!

[Anonabc]

A trip to Japan sounds very exciting!

Something that I find helps with some of the discomfort/symptoms is Buscopan. It is a smooth muscle relaxer that is used both for IBS and period cramps, so might be worth looking at?

[theorah in reply to Anonabc]

Thank you! Ill definitely look into it

[Hidden]

You can try peppermint capsules that survive the stomach. It didn't help me but they are suppose to help with IBS. Ginger can help. Also glutenfree, and (cow)dairy and white sugar free. A probiotic might help too. Kefir (you can buy the grains- or ask if someone has them and then make yourself). Consume miso overthere. Have a good trip!

[theorah in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for all the suggestions, I'm already trying some of these right now and it seems to be helping a little bit which is nice to hear

[rltm]

I've just travelled and I find plane food really affects me badly - I had bad pain and extreme bloating for about 48hrs after I landed. Peppermint tea helps, especially fresh leaves if you can get hold of them. Also following a FODMAP diet can help alleviate some of the bloating and pain symptoms. Also try: ginger tea; ginger ale; tonic water mixed with a small amount of bitters and a dash of lime juice. Linseed is supposed to help with bloating/discomfort as well so maybe take some with you - my dietician advised linseed powder instead of the actual seeds and sprinkling it into food. I hope some of that helps and I hope you have a great trip!

[theorah in reply to rltm]

Thank you, this is so helpful!!

[Hidden in reply to rltm]

Careful with linseed, it can make Endo worse I read. Only certain weeks of your cycle you're supposed to take them (seed cycling).

[Thecraftyadder in reply to rltm]

I'd echo what Hidden has said - be careful of linseed it can increase your estrogen so not great for endometriosis. For similar bowel benefits use chia seed instead. For chia it doesn't make a difference if you use ground or whole seeds

[theorah in reply to Thecraftyadder]

Ah thank you both, I wouldn't have known that at all, so I appreciate it

[StefaniaJW]

Sounds like your gut is extremely upset. Please read this: healendo.com/healyourgut

[theorah in reply to StefaniaJW]

Thank you for the link

[Thecraftyadder]

I sympathise as I suffer from bad gastro issues. I actually went to Japan in 2006 while suffering a horrendous gastro flare up (didn't know I had endometriosis then was still being told it was just ibs!)

I'd definitely second the recommendation for buscopan. It really does help and you can take quite a few tablets if needed. It can stop you having to run to the loo (I've tested it in some pretty extreme circumstances ha ha) also I'd buy some activated charcoal tablets and take them with you (you can get them in Holland and Barrett) they can help with bloating and stomach upsets (they saved me in Thailand last year).

The good thing about Japan was the food made me feel really well! The rice, fresh vegetables, beautiful fish and amazing herbal teas meant I arrived feeling like death and left feeling better than I'd done in a long time. They don't rely on gluten and milk in the way a western diet does (things I now know effect me badly) I still rate it as the best trip I've ever been on. Have a fantastic time!

[theorah in reply to Thecraftyadder]

Thank you, I'll definitely give charcoal tablets a try too And good to know about Japanese food haha! I have heard there's barely any dairy there, I was curious about how this might affect me since I generally have milk every day (maybe I should stop!)

[budgeroo]

Wear loose, comfortable clothes to travel in. I flew to Vietnam in April in high-waisted gym leggings and when I bloated they pressed on my tummy quite bad when sat down which made me really uncomfortable for most of the flights.

I have IBS and coeliac disease (and suspected endo) - my tips are always a hot water bottle (not easy when travelling but single use heat pads can work too), peppermint tea, lots of water, and Buscopan. Caffeine is a big trigger for me, as is anything fatty, spicy, or acidic.

Enjoy the Japanese toilets! I want one for my house!

[theorah in reply to budgeroo]

Thank you for the advice, wearing lose trousers seems like a good idea, I recall being very uncomfortable the last time I went on a plane because things were tight.

Haha Im so excited about the toilets 😂 At least if I get a flare up I'll be able to have it in some luxury lol!

[Thompson36]

Do you take any gut health supplements? I’ve used these when abroad before just to ease the change in diet etc. Acidophilus would be a good one to take. Have a great time xx

[theorah in reply to Thompson36]

I don't at all, but I'll definitely look into this, thank you