Hi everybody, this is my first time on the board and I'd love to hear people's input on whether it's possible to travel with IBS - and exactly how you manage it.
My IBS got much worse eighteen months ago but I've learned to cope with it fairly well - when I stay home, doing my own cooking that is. I also have GERD and numerous food allergies (which severaly shrinks the variety of foods I can eat) and managed my last vacation away by going to a restaurant on only one occasion and doing my own cooking the rest of the time. Worked like a charm.
Unfortunately, now it seems I may have to travel for work and with all my different digestive conditions and the regimen I must follow to stay well - eating six small meals (of very bland and unvarying foods), sticking to a similar schedule for myself everyday etc. and the fact that I don't do well on airplanes or even drives of more than a couple hours (find myself crazy gassy even with Ovol) I wonder if I'm placing undue stress on myself to even consider traveling.
Slipping up, even a little, seems to cause things to get out of control very quickly and these trips would be from city to city (staying in hotels) with a very full schedule for a period of weeks. In my heart I really don't think I can successfully travel under these conditions -- should I explain why to my work (I speak freely about the condition with family and friends but feel embarrased about explaining my condition to professional colleagues.)
I'd be very grateful for any input. Thanks!
I also just wanted to tell Heather that I have her book on The First Year and it has helped me immensely.
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Traveling With IBS and other digestive conditions
