Travelling stress

[iOwlface]

Hi everyone,

Just wanting a bit of reassurance really. I’m due to fly home from my first trip abroad to the Netherlands.

I’m a long suffering Emetophobe and I do stress about having an IBS-D flare while away from home.

My first ever flight out here wasn’t too bad, I didn’t enjoy the take-off as it made my head spin a little, but I didn’t take any meds for anti nausea or to chill me out (I stupidly didn’t test them on a quiet day to see how I reacted so I was scared if their side effects)

now I know the water is generally safe in the Netherlands, but im unsure if the change in the water is making me a little loose? Or maybe it’s just the stress worrying about the flight now I’ve actually experienced one?

Im just struggling to get my head around why im more anxious on the way home than I was coming out here. Im inches away from taking some Cyclizine because I already feel queasy due to having a flare and the anxiety isn’t helping.

Any advice or kind words appreciated.

TIA

[Wallace-s]

There is an absolute association, direct link even between our mind (stress/anxiety) and IBS.

I VERY MUCH personally promote meditation, breathing and relaxation techniques- they dont clear up my IBS, but it reduces in severity.

Wish you well on your journey home

[Luisa22]

I feel that I am sensitive to mineral content in water: particularly in my case, Magnesium and Bicarbonate. I always have to drink a water that is low in both of those as I've discovered I am looser on water where those minerals are high.

So yes, I think different water can affect sensitive guts.

It could be that the change of drinking water affected you (though some are skeptical about its effects.)

Are you eating a very plain bland diet for a day or two at least before travelling? Maybe just some steamed or baked meat or fish or hard boiled eggs if they suit you or ANYTHING which you know suits you, some plain white carbs that you know suit you (such as peeled cooked potatoes, or white rice etc) and some friendly veg but not too much, and any fruit that's normally OK for you. and don't experiment with food that might not work.

Be careful what you drink and snack on too.

So your tummy might be calmer to start with?

If you're not sensitive to alcohol or sugar, I recommend a tiny shot of brandy for your flight, plus some plain (not chocolate-covered) Kendal Mint Cake if you can find it! If not, then try Crystallised ginger pieces. Kendal mint cake worked magic for me as a child who used to get queasy on bus journeys!