7 Tips for Holiday Travel When Your IBD Is Unpredictable

Just leaving home to run an errand can feel high stakes when your inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms aren’t under control. So if you have holiday travel on the horizon, it’s completely understandable that you might be feeling anxious.

Long lines, traffic and delays, and needing to navigate crowded, unfamiliar spaces can induce anxiety when you’re dealing with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis–related issues like urgency, diarrhea, cramping, or fear of a bathroom accident. And that can make your trip anything but merry.

But traveling doesn’t have to be off the table when your IBD is acting up. “Preparation buys freedom. IBD may mean traveling a little differently than you used to, but with a plan in place, most people can travel safely and actually enjoy the holidays,” says Ekta Gupta, MBBS, a gastroenterologist with the University of Maryland Medical System in Baltimore.

Here are some expert-recommended steps you can take to account for unpredictable symptoms and make your holiday travel a little less stressful.

1. Talk With Your Doctor First

2. Pack an Emergency Kit

Knowing that you have extra supplies on hand can feel like a huge weight off of your shoulders if you’re struggling with urgency. Gupta and Andrew Dam, DO, a gastroenterologist at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center in Pomona, California, recommend putting these emergency kit items in a backpack or carry-on that you can keep with you at all times:

• A change of underwear and clothing
• Toilet paper and fragrance-free wipes
• Hand sanitizer
• A few sealable plastic bags for storing soiled clothing
• Ointment or barrier cream, if frequent stools cause skin irritation
• Any rescue medication that your doctor has approved in advance
• Oral rehydration solution packets
• Ostomy supplies, if needed (bring more than you think you’ll need, just to be safe)

3. Take Steps to Fly Smart

4. Identify Bathroom Locations Ahead of Time

Being able to quickly find a bathroom may be one of your biggest worries while traveling. To ease your mind, map out public restrooms or rest stops where you know you’ll be able to go if the need arises. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s We Can’t Wait App is an easy way to search for restrooms by location.

5. Give Yourself Extra Time

You can never go wrong by giving yourself extra time as a buffer for unexpected bathroom trips or fatigue. “That might mean leaving earlier for the airport or planning a couple extra bathroom stops during a drive. It takes some of the pressure off,” Dam says. There are no one-size-fits-all rules here, so pick a timing plan that makes you feel comfortable.

6. Bring Snacks That Work for You

Food options can be unpredictable when you’re on the go, and picking something unfamiliar could send your symptoms southward. So bring things to eat that you know you can tolerate.

“Stick with what you know works, and drink enough water,” Gupta says.

• Bananas
• Single-serving nut butter packets
• Crackers or pretzels
• Plain yogurt or cottage cheese
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Plain cooked pasta (stored in a plastic lidded container or a baggie)
• Turkey sandwich

7. Build in Time for Rest

Fatigue can have a bigger impact on your symptoms than you might expect. “Travel throws off sleep, hydration, meals, and medication timing all at once, and that combination can make a person feel worse than the disease alone would,” Gupta says. So, build frequent breaks into your schedule, and try not to pack too much into any one day. When you have more energy, you’ll be better prepared to handle whatever your IBD might throw your way.