Travelling with ibs and anxiety

[L1zz1362]

I was diagnosed with ibs c&d a year ago. I am flying to see my son in Southern England then taking the train to London and flying home again. I am scared as I get urgency which starts the anxiety then I am running to the toilet on numerous occasions and then the vicious circle begins. We will be out and about for most of the weekend. Someone suggested using incontinence pads just to give me a bit of confidence in the hope it lessens the anxiety. I am just looking for some suggestions which might make the trip easier. Thank you.

[bburzycki]

Honestly works for me when I am around people I can trust. Thus if you travel with someone that you can trust, just be honest with them that sometimes your issues can cause well... issues. I have given up on trying to hide my issues, I just try to take them in stride and sometimes it put me in a better place as far as controlling the anxiety side of things. It is and can be an anxiety snowball, I also fail to travel as much as I should based on the issues I have dealt with for over 20 years now. Now that I have gone on the carnivore diet my symptoms have totally changed and maybe things are looking up, we will see. I wish you luck, but know at least for me a ton of all of this is mental, working out, and always staying after it while hard does help, and never give in to it expect on your worst days.

[L1zz1362 in reply to bburzycki]

Thank you. A few months ago I told the people I trust and it has helped a little. It definitely is an anxiety snowball. I am fed up saying no to invites out etc so hopefully this trip goes well and will give me the confidence to start living life again. Thanks again.

[Bradstock]

If I am travelling I take a loperimide tablet beforehand. I then feel confident that I will be ok.I also use pantyliners as an extra security measure.

[L1zz1362 in reply to Bradstock]

Thank you. I will definitely try that.

[Hetchins1946]

I've replied to a post on a similar subject recently - my IBS is related to stress / anxiety.One of the main triggers is travel anxiety. Airports & railway stations set me off although I'm fine once the journey is underway

I recently flew from London to Budapest with BA and in the course of arranging Special Assistance for my partner (who has walking issues) I mentioned in passing my difficulty.

BA arranged to send me a sunflower lanyard and sorted out seats near the loo. We both had assistance in the airport and the cabin crew knew of my problems and said that if I needed the toilet they'd help me jump the queue.

I take loperamide before a journey, which helps. I have anal leakage which is worse with anxiety, so I have a stock of pads with me.

My GP has suggested beta blockers to be taken on the day of the journey, an option I've not yet tried.

[L1zz1362 in reply to Hetchins1946]

Thank you. I know exactly how you feel. It's the build up which causes the anxiety/ibs cycle. I worry that I will have to cancel last minute as I wont be able to leave the house as constantly running to the toilet. I will definitely try wearing pads. My doctor suggested medication for the anxiety, but crazy as it sounds I am too anxious to take them. Thanks again for your suggestions. I appreciate it.

[Endersgame]

I agree with other comments here. In addition i modify my diet in the days before a journey. Eat less, eat low residue foods (in my case mainly cheese and eggs) and increase dosage of loperamide and codeine.

[L1zz1362 in reply to Endersgame]

Thank you. I will try that too.

[angelwings52]

The best thing that I've found is to explain to staff your issues as that can reduce your anxiety levels. Avoid any trigger foods and take loperimide on the days you'll be travelling. Having easy access to a change of clothes, wet wipes etc will also help you to keep calm. Hypnotherapy can be really effective for stress and there are some really good apps available.

[L1zz1362 in reply to angelwings52]

Thank you for replying. I will also look into apps and hypnotherapy.

[Teal1953]

I suffer like you with urgency so I really empathise. I eat small meals the day before and take 2 loperamide on the day of travel. I always have an emergency pack with me - underwear, wipes, pads and a radar key - and I make sure I’m as near to a loo as possible. This way you reduce the stress that contributes to the symptoms.

[L1zz1362 in reply to Teal1953]

Thank you. Yes, I am trying to think of everything to reduce the anxiety. I have also heard of an app which tells you where the nearest toilet is so will be looking out for that too. This site has been great as everyone understands exactly how it affects your life. Thanks again for replying.

[Teal1953 in reply to L1zz1362]

If you are in the UK I use an app called Toilet Finder, it also tells you if they are free or not.

[L1zz1362 in reply to Teal1953]

I have just set it up on my phone. Thanks.

[Poppywoman in reply to Teal1953]

Hi. I do the same thing! What is a radar key?

[linedance]

Hi there. I know exactly how you feel. I have the same problem. I usually take some loperamide before I travel and I find it makes me feel more secure. I have also had CBT which I think helped to change my mindset slightly. I also take sertraline for anxiety. You need to think about how frequent your IBS is. If not too frequent, then why should it happen on those particular days? If you are planning to be out and about there are plenty of public toilets around. Why not get a radar key from the IBS Network then you can use disabled toilets too with more privacy. If you feel it is going to strike during your train journey then get off the train and find a cafe with a toilet or there may be one on the station. You can always get the next train if you feel better, I'm sure your son will understand if you don't necessarily feel able to go out. I hope this helps.

[L1zz1362]

Hi, thank you. I am on the waiting list for counselling so hopefully that will also help. Overthinking/anxiety is the worst and as you say why would it happen on these days. I have my radar key. I need to stop thinking about how my ibs affects everyone I am with and concentrate on me Thanks again.

[PierreBonnard in reply to L1zz1362]

A major issue with IBS is worrying about how it affects everyone else which increases the anxiety, which in turn makes the IBS worse! As I live alone, except for my cat, It may be easier to please myself, but I still like to socialize and go out. But I now do this on my terms, it is the only way, and makes my life easier. Luckily I have some understanding friends and I avoid stressy people if I can, which I was taught to do after taking up Transcendental Meditation. I don't always achieve this but I have become more aware of my needs and self-awareness. We have sensitive nervous systems which can be affected by anything so you have to learn what is right for you including food choices, exercise, stress levels and amount of sleep right for you. It is a balance and that is why I do yoga, meditation and follow my own interests. I know travel is an issue and I haven't travelled much for some years{partly due to Covid} but I am taking a step at a time and hope to go somewhere not too far (Dublin) in the near future. I have even renewed my passport after several years! I think its all about taking things a step at a time and doing things gradually. Also opening up about my condition has made life easier, (such as telling the airline about it to make special arrangements).Good Luck!

[L1zz1362 in reply to PierreBonnard]

Thank you. Great advice. One step at a time is the way forward. Good luck and I hope you get to use your passport soon.

[shoppaholicsue]

I know exactly what you’re going through. I go through the same thing. I had CBT. And they suggest that I’ve got to bank the good days where nothing has happened, and not ruminate on the bad days. I find this is gradually helping. Don’t only remember and focus on the bad days and embarrassments. The more you focus on the positives, the more you end up having!

When I go out, I do sometimes resort to wearing incontinence pants to give me that reassurance. I always have plenty of wipes, my radar key for the disabled loo, and a change of lower clothing.

I take a small bottle of water to sip , and a hairband on my wrist to ping, and I find this can take my mind off of any anxieties that I’m having.

Enjoy your trip. I’m sure you’ll be fine and don’t forget to let us know how it went. We are all in the same boat and we all love to hear the positives too.

Sue

[L1zz1362 in reply to shoppaholicsue]

Thank you so much. Changing my mindset will help dramatically. I didn't think of the hairband idea, so will give that a go. I will definitely let you all know how I got on. Sharing has helped and don't feel so alone. Thanks again.

[Lin1944]

I always take Imodium as we call them in Uk. Take them every 4 hours and although you may get a bit bunged up it’s better than having an accident. Good luck x

[grandylynda in reply to Lin1944]

Yes, immodeum and pads plus, in the UK you can buy a radar key for disabled toilets in a scheme which are kept locked. I have rarely used it but it all helps with confidence that you can cope.

[L1zz1362 in reply to Lin1944]

Thank you. Everyones ideas have been so helpful.

[Pig2]

Hello, travelling and stress about being away from a toilet definitely make it worse. I now follow fodmap,do mindfulness take probiotics, really help, and if all else fails imodium and colofac. Get up early so have plenty of time to dose up if I need to! Just returned from holiday and got some Boots pull up pants, great help to relieve my stress levels! Hope some of these might help you. The fear of an accident makes it all so much worse ☹️

[L1zz1362 in reply to Pig2]

Your ideas have been a great help. Will definitely be doing this. For me I think the overthinking/anxiety is probably worse than the ibs. Vicious circle but will not give up.

[Haz999]

I also go through exactly the same levels of worry that the worse will happen when I am out so I also wear incontinence pants which are actally not too uncomfortable, take Imodium, carry a change of lower clothing and wet wipes, plastic bag and radar key. If I know that I will be going out I don't eat anything beforehand just drink water and take a small packet of cracker like biscuits out with me.

[L1zz1362 in reply to Haz999]

Thank you. I am putting together an ibs safety bag to take with me. Hoping this helps stave off some of the anxiety.

[Joey01]

I was in the same position for years. Some days I couldn't get out of the house for fear of needing the loo. Loperamide was my crutch but I only took half a tablet (instant Loperamide).

After seeing a new GP I now take Fybogel twice a day and I'm much better. I still have days when I need the loo up to 5 times but most of my urgency issues have gone. I don't feel as anxious going out. I have only taken Loperamide twice in the last 3 months and one of those times was pre a 3 hrs flight.

[L1zz1362 in reply to Joey01]

Thank you. It's horrible. I have come to the stage that I can't keep letting it rule my life. Hard as it is to take these steps I have to do it. Thanks again.

[IBSNetwork Partner IBS Network]

Take a look at our blog about travelling with IBS theibsnetwork.org/blog/take...

[L1zz1362 in reply to IBSNetwork]

I will....thank you.

[Bugsmum12]

I've found Imodium works for me, I take it before eating on a day I'm travelling or if I'm going to be in a place I may not have a loo to hand. I also eat bland food the days before. Always carry my emergency pack with me, more large pads, pants, wipes & change of trousers. I think having my emergency pack makes me feel more in controll

[L1zz1362 in reply to Bugsmum12]

Thank you. I will definitely be taking an emergency bag with me.