Traveling with Crohn's Disease

When I travel which I do quite often for my work overseas I don't eat from 12 hours before the flight until arrive at my destination. Doing this cuts down the chances of having to go to the toilet at the critical times during your flight. I have done this for some 20 odd years and now my body is used to it.

I have found that the most critical times for are take off and landing and I'm sure thet the altitude has an effect on the inside of your body, a bit like when you open a bottle of water and then when you look at it when you have landed the bottle has partially collapsed.  

Regards

Peter Hopper

@hoppa1950 Thank you for sharing your tip!

Hello members,

Many of us are planning on travelling, sometimes long distances, to see family and friends during the holidays. Do you have any tips for travelling with Crohn's? How do you deal with long train or aeroplane rides? Share your tips and help others in the community! 

I'm also interested in this. I'm thinking of visiting a friend in the south of France next month (covid-willing 🤞)  and I'll have to take the train or a plane depending and I'm nervous about it. Does anyone have any advice?

I have flown most places in the world with my job and have suffered from chron’s since 1989 when it was first diagnosed and at one of the worst points.

When I travel I don't eat twelve hours before I fly because there is no set routine to the times you need to use the loo. I also don't eat anything on the flight no matter how long it is and then when I get to where I need to be I eat a little because your stomach needs time to react to the meal. I have a dreadful fear of having an accident during the flight because the toilets are out of use during take-off and landing and this is the reason don't eat.

I find the worst time in the flight is during take-off and landing because of the cabin pressure changes, these affect your internals which can be a little tricky if you have eaten recently. To see the effect of cabin pressure especially when coming into land, watch the effect it has on a bottle of water that has had a little water removed from it.

The other things I do are, tell the check in staff your problem and as for a seat near to the toilet. Also tell the cabin crew your problem and they will look after you as most are really understanding. If you feel embarrassed about tell them then just show your Crohn’s card which explains your need.

Hope your trip goes well.

Peter