IBS /and Glastonbury Festival

[JT1992]

Has anyone with IBS D ever been to Glastonbury? Or coped at a big festival?

I haven't been to a big festival and camped since before i even knew about IBS. I am now going through a bad flare up which i am struggled to get a hold of, and well I'm sure I am not the only one who finds themselves in a viscous IBS-anxiety cycle.

Any tips or advice please? Obviously will be taking Immodium and toilet roll with me wherever i go but unsure of how the toilets will be... big queues etc? Also worth noting that i will be staying in the staff campsite if anyone has experience of those toilets?

Thanks!

[Linley]

Preparation that's what it's all about. I am female and always take an emergency kit with me wherever I go. Not a festival but going away anywhere with IBS d is the same. Enjoy the festival and don't let IBS spoil it😁

[Luisa22]

Hello JT. I have 1980's memories of those toilets, which is a very long time ago indeed. In fact I camped on the Green Field, and in those days it was easy to go off-site and back again (no perimeter fence) So I took a trowel and my loo paper and wet wipes, dug a hole next to some random hedge, did my business, privately and alone, and filled the hole with earth. Every morning.

Why?

Because in those days the toilets were a version of hell. I have no idea what they are like now as my last festival was 1988.

I recommend having a good number of extra tough (eventually biodegradable) liner bags with you and a small portable toilet or bucket with seat, which you can use privately in your tent perhaps? I have no idea unfortunately, where those could be left or dumped. Perhaps in the toilet area later?

But, think of me, because I shan't be going to the festival, but I live just over the hill behind it!! I can often hear all the music. If you go, do enjoy yourself. I am too old and boring to go there ever again!

[stephersb]

Contact the festival organisers as they will have some protocol in place people with disabilities or medical needs. I have not been afraid at events to use the disabled toilets. I'm not in a wheelchair but my medical needs means I can't wait in that queue. People don't always approve because I look like any able bodied person but my insides don't work so I'm using that toilet. Usually organiser's will give you a special wristband but not all do. The other suggestion is getting a I can't wait card. You can save them on your phone so if anyone gets funny flash them the card and go in the loo.

[JT1992 in reply to stephersb]

I have emailed the Assistance team, no reply yet but i have seen that i have missed the deadline for any assistance applications.. i didnt even realise there would be a deadline! I will look into the card though thank you, is this normally recognised by the staff, or do you mean to show the people waiting in queue?

[stephersb in reply to JT1992]

I've never needed to use the card to be honest. The assistance team will ask you for evidence of your condition so I just send a hospital letter and I've never had an issue. It means I can use disabled loos of the ones in the assistance areas. I saw Liam Gallager at the weekend and I had a coloured band which Security were aware of if I needed the loos in those areas.