IBS: Advice about travel care, and about other people ...

[FicusElastica]

Hi I am new to the Forum. I have a long term but very intermittent spastic colon problem, and as it's tending to get more frequent (and worse, less warning) as I get older, I'm seeking advice on two things.

One is, is there anything you can take when you are travelling to reduce the risk of having a spasm attack? At present I just carry peppermint oil capsules. It's better than feeling completely unprotected. Or anything effective at reducing the spasm or the pain quickly? Long shot, I know.

The second thing may be odd, I don't know what people's experience is, but I know of people with other conditions who have had analogous situations. What can you best do to prevent a well meaning member of the public trying to get you a doctor or worse, an ambulance, just because you are writhing on the ground (hopefully a toilet floor, but this can't be guaranteed if you are travelling), running a hot sweat, pulling your clothes off, in danger of fainting and suffering from periodic diarrhea attacks. And you between moans are trying to explain that this will pass, you are not having a heart attack, you are not dying, you don't need medical attention and in 15-20 minutes you will be on your feet and functioning normally again?

My nightmare is being accosted by a medic who doesn't know what they are dealing with and decides that I need to be taken away from my car for observation or whatever. I have heard that they can declare you unfit to drive if you don't co-operate. The consequences of that would be worse than anything the attack can throw at me, other than acute pain and embarrassment.

Most medics (and people) will "listen" but not all do - that's the problem.

Has anyone got any experience that might help?

Thanks for any advice.

[weathervane]

Thank goodness it has never happened to me but if you are really worried about it maybe it would be worth getting a mdical alert bracelet. Im going on holiday in 4 weeks and I will be carrying the peppermint oil as well 😀

[Hidden]

Hi there,

I can't even imagine how difficult that must be to deal with. And to have someone well-meaning "trying to help you". The idea of a medical bracelet is a very useful idea. If you could get/ make one with "I am OK, thank you. I don't need medical assistance" that you could at least point to.

I was just wondering of TRE (Trauma release) could help you reduce the intensity of you colon condition (Google TRE UK or US). The idea behind it is that whether we have lived major traumatic events, or a continued longer period of soft trauma or stress, our muscles build up and store tension and can cause spasm, contractions, muscle pain etc.

I looked into this as I felt I still had tension in my body I could not let out. I used this method and was able to release blocked tension in my bowels and legs. It may not be a total solution but I imagine that any improvement would be welcome.

Could be something really worth looking into if you haven't already.

Alison

[Nicki1984]

Hi there I'm not too sure of your specific condition. Would Imodium help you at all? I'm off on holiday tmoro and going to take 2 tonight and 2 in the morning and go from there. Can you carry a note/card with you that explains what is happening? Or an official doctors note? X

[Hidden]

Hi there, I had been looking on the internet and came across Kolanticon Gel Oral Suspension on Chemist Direct - it's got excellent reviews. Unfortunately they were out of stock when I looked but other people sell it. I will certainly be getting some

[FicusElastica]

HI All,

Thank you to everyone who made suggestions, which I will be looking into. Having a symptom bracelet was something I hadn't thought of. I also found this reference in an unconnected post from some time back theidbandco.com/Plastic-Med... which is another take on the "ID bracelet" and could possibly carry more information.

Thanks for the note about TRE, the funny thing is I do suffer from stress and anxiety, including occasional diarrhea episodes which are clearly linked with stress (and don't resemble my spasm attacks in any way other than some diarrhea being involved, which is kind of inevitable with intestines ) But I've never spotted any link between a spasm attack and stress.

Also - this probably sounds quite weird - the last thing I want is medication that stops diarrhea ... I've even toyed with the idea of using Senokot or similar for a clear-out before days when I expect to be out a lot, because the real trouble seems to happen when the spasm causes diarrhea behind stuff moving on normally further down the tubes (we aren't even talking constipation here) and can't clear until it's caused the "not really ready to go yet" contents to shift along ... rather like a shunt on the road. BUT medicines like Senokot are not reliable enough as to timing. There doesn't seem to be anything quick and reliable outside of hospital suppositories (I found out about those by chance many years ago re something completely unconnected ) which I don't think you can buy at your local chemist

I am going to need to carry something. I am thinking of maybe making up my own card or "notebook" explaining in detail, but that won't replace something more official looking. A doctor's note night help - but I've been reluctant to ask as i don't want to trigger another bout of "you need tests" as I've had all sorts of tests now and then over the decades and none of them have turned up anything.

Thanks again. If anyone does know of a "fast clearout" medication which is reliable and free of side effects, I would love to hear about it. Hmm I wonder if that is something I could have a conversation with the GP about?

XX