Tummy Troubles and Air Travel
A life of travel feels exciting, with many of us dreaming of taking to the skies for a new adventure. When you need to consider the behaviour of your digestive system, it might not always be straightforward to hop on a plane to escape life for a while.
As a celiac with Crohn's disease, I have discovered some golden nuggets which may make travel easier. Unfortunately, this can so often feel like a challenging time. One of the obvious difficulties I have faced in the past is bowel incontinence.
En route to ‘air side’ at Gatwick airport, I was travelling with my daughter to Montenegro to review the gluten-free food at a new hotel in Ulcinj. She frequently comes along as an assistant for work reasons and to help me if my health is problematic. Generally, I know my triggers, and can frequently limit symptoms, but this is never a perfect rule. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be completely unpredictable when symptoms occur and no matter what you do, there will be times when you feel unwell or become incontinent.
On this day, I hadn’t eaten and limited my fluids to mint tea. I had my fingers crossed.
Jasmine and I sat close to the toilets as the airport got busier. We watched people walk past us, fast enough to create a draught, with stress magnetising their eyebrows together. Excitement made my heart beat a little faster. I was excited to sit and write on a plane, with no distractions from my iPhone. I had just dialled the number to switch off my voicemail when I felt a familiar pain in the lower part of my tummy. I glanced to my right and must have given Jasmine a look that told her all she needed to know.
“Ok? Mum?” She asked at the same time as reaching down to pick up the bags which were at our feet. I already had my hands full, and my feet planted firmly on the ground as my legs took the weight of my body. The pain wasn’t quite at its peak as I walked to the toilet as fast as I could without running. I didn’t make it.
From behind the locked door, I heard, “Mum?” with slight tension in Jasmine’s voice.
“I’ll text you.”
‘Please go to Boots, get pads, Imodium instants*, baby wipes and water.’
Panic then ran through my mind. Should I cancel the flight? How would I be able to fly?
An hour later, I was kitted out. And hopeful.
One foot inside the plane and I spoke to one of the staff, asking if I was able to use the toilet if needed. He informed me, without judgement or being quizzed, that I was able to use the facilities until take-off, and then again after the seatbelt light was switched off. I had an aisle seat, so that was useful. I have always booked an aisle seat since. And I also book special assistance, through a simple phone call to the tour operator. Frequently, the airport staff (especially abroad) think you automatically need a wheelchair. Sometimes, that can be useful if fatigue is a symptom, but often you might prefer to walk if you can. Now, the airports are giving out sunflower lanyards for you to flash to the staff, who will generally offer you a wheelchair. Sadly, there is a way to go for communicating the needs of people with IBD in the travel industry, but special assistance is available (and useful) if you find standing in a queue difficult. You will be able to board first and get off the plane last. This ensures less time in queues, and more time closer to a toilet. It isn’t perfect, but it does go some way to help you enjoy the freedom of travel.
If you need to take medication with you, check the details of the storage needs of it, and if you will need to take permission letters from your healthcare provider. At the other end, you might need a fridge. If it isn’t obvious to find out if the room has a fridge, try a google search, or phone the hotel directly.
If you need extra hand luggage allowances, due to your health, the same phone call you make to book special assistance will also allow you to ask questions about extra hand luggage allowances. Most airlines will organise this for free. You will also be able to book seats with a member of your party for free, under special assistance booking. Don’t forget to be very clear on dietary requirements. They can organise this, but you will need to plan in advance. I had a mishap en route to Mexico several years ago and nothing gluten-free was available. I had phoned the airline, but I had no confirmation and somewhere, the message had got lost.
I was a little hungry, and enjoyed my all-inclusive buffet upon arrival, right before booking a meeting with the executive chef to discuss my food needs.
*Medications mentioned here are not recommended without you speaking to your healthcare provider.
Email to book: lusherlifenutrition@gmail.com