Stomach bugs abroad

[Johrene]

Hello again,

I have another query for you guys out there.

I am now 2 years since my Ivor Lewis op and would dearly love to start planning a holiday for next yr, but I have to admit that I have grave concerns about the consequences of contracting stomach upsets when abroad. Apart from the obvious attention to hygiene, I was wondering if you have any further tips regarding the prevention/cure for those nasties, bearing in mind the lack of proper plumbing that we IL patients now have. Thanks and kind regards.

[AndrewB]

Just go! I went to Egypt two years after my IL and caught the bug but them so did my wife! Go and enjoy yourself and just be wary about hygiene.

[ian-james]

Hi Johrene

This is something that worried us before we started going abroad again. As we travel in a campervan we do most of our own cooking but I still managed to get a rather nasty bug in Brittany a few years ago. Didn't eat for a week, even with some pills from the local pharmacy, but I think I would have been just as bad if I hadn't had the op. It's just one of those things. I was very glad we had our own onboard toilet! I'd say just go and enjoy yourself. We had five weeks in Portugal this spring and are just finishing another five weeks in France now, all with no problems. We celebrated seven years since the IL a few days ago.

kind regards

Ian

[liz_crisp]

Just take whatever you use to settle your stomach with you, And have fun, my doctor said cruising was good for IL patients as you can eat little and often easily

[Luvver]

My husband is just coming up to 6 months post IL and we’ve just returned from two weeks in the Canaries. We ate out almost every night, no problems. Fortunately he was fine but I did take meds for upset tummy just in case. Book your holiday and go! Enjoy every minute!

[kiddy]

I enjoy my holidays abroad take my normal meds . I watch out with fish and salads at buffets. Use hand sanatiser ,take Imodium and probiotics. Life is for living to the full go and enjoy yourself. Also eat early at night.

Best wishes

Debbie