Any tips for flying with jpouch?

Kjeane,
Congratulations on taking the trip and I hope that you enjoy the vacation if it is a vacation...
My 'must have' on all flights (and all of my flights are 8hrs!) is Gravol...The anti motion-sickness drug...it slows everything down, drys everything up and makes you sleepy to boot...I have been taking it for 35yrs without any difficulty and it does the trick for me (except when I had food poisioning!)...I also only eat animal protiens like chicken and avoid the airplane food like the plague...A medical note helps too and allows you to be able to take your food with.
The rest is just common sense, I take spare, clean clothes with me, warn the stewardess that I am a frequent bathroom user and not to worry, carry a blanket because they don't supply them anymore and walk around often to avoid embolism and cramping. Do not forget that these flights are very dehydrating too.
Sharon

Thank you Sharon. I appreciate your suggestions.

I have never taken gravol. I have some xanax and pain meds in case I need them and plan on eating VERY light and packing our food also as it is allowed if packaged. I will remember to drink and walk too and never thought about warning the stewardess but will make a note of that.

quote:

The 8 hour trip scares me a bit as far as restroom use goes.

If it is a commercial flight there should be restrooms in front and in back. Depending on how full the flight is, however, there could be waits to get into the bathroom. This only usually occurs after food and drink is served. If you are in a situation where you need to move to the front of a line I would just tell the people in front of you that you have a medical issue and hopefully they will be understanding.

The one issue I had when I last flew (in November, to the Bahamas) was that security attempted to seize my bottled water at the airport in White Plains, NY. I protested and told them I needed the water for medical/hydration reasons. They gave me back my bottled water back after seeing the large stash of prescription antibiotics and other meds in my knapsack. They figured I must indeed have medical issues because I had all these meds.

It was later pointed out to me that Jet Blue, the airline I flew, offers complimentary bottled waters but I did not know this at the time. You might want to check with the airline and see if they offer bottled water rather than get hassled by airport security.

I take a refillable water bottle and use that so nothing gets taken away....I made friends with a stewardess and told her that dyhdration was a problem and if she could help me with my water bottle that would be great. And she did. So the moral of the story, keep hydrated, buy gatorade before you board, since you might get it conficated with TSA. I don't think it's a big deal and either are the sounds, the plane makes a big enough noise as it is

You can always purchase water after you get through security. And I always purchase at least 3 huge 1 liter bottles right before boarding. I don't care how overpriced they are. I am not risking dehydration. I bring an empty 1 liter aluminum water bottle and my special WHO powder electrolyte stuff that I mix after I get through security in an aluminum 1 liter water bottle. I can keep mixing additional batches on the plane.

Never ever eat the airplane food. Bring lots of your own food that you know makes your gut happy and just nibble on it throughout.

And biggest thing is that people always use the bathroom en masse after snacks or a meal are served. So plan accordingly.
good luck and have fun!

Sharon,
Gravol is not available locally but I can pick it up in Vancouver BC in 2 weeks. Have you found it for sale outside of Canada?

quote:

You can always purchase water after you get through security.

You are probably correct with about 95% of airports, but my recollection of the White Plains, NY airport is that when you get past security they only have a little coffee shop serving coffee made from what looked like a very old coffee maker from the 1960s, some prepackaged bagels and cookies, and a very few other items. It's a small antiquated airport. I do not recall if they had bottled water although they probably do have some smaller bottles of water. At that time, last November, it had been 20 years since I was previously in that airport, and I did not even recall that coffee shop being there back in the 1990s although it probably was. I usually fly out of Hartford, New Haven, New York City or on a few occasions Newark, NJ and Providence, RI.

kjeane, if you are flying out of Bradley or the New York City airports this will not be an issue for sure.

Looks like everyone covered the 'tips.'

I was just on an 8 hour flight two days ago, and will be going on a 4 hour flight and another 8 hour flight (back home) in two weeks.

This was also my first time flying for this long with the j pouch. I'm not sure about how everyone else is (i'm sure everyone reacts differently) but I believe the flight really messed up my pouch.

I had to go about 3-4 times during the 8 hour flight, despite taking imodium and not eating very much. In my head I thought "oh crap, pouchitis just as I'm leaving for my two week europe trio?" and this scare lasted a good 24 hours after landing too.

However, after adjusting to the time difference and being off the plane for 24 hours, my j pouch went back to normal.

You might be totally fine when you fly, but if your pouch gets a bit irritated during the flight/ for a day afterwards don't be too alarmed or disappointed as I think some of us just have adverse affects of flying.

My traveling must haves:

Potty seat covers - available in the potty training section of Babies-R-Us.

Individually wrapped Handi-wipes AND Cottenelle wipes

Bottled water and/or G2 purchased past security

I sit in aisle seats which makes trip to the restroom good easier.

kjeane,

All great tips. The last time I traveled was in 2010 all the way to Israel on a Pilgrimage. 10 hr flight fron Newark, NJ and a 12 hr flight when I returned.

I made sure that I sent the travel agent foods that I need to avoid and I requested an aisle seat so as not to inconvenience the passengers in my row. Walk around a lot too.


Rocket

Hi.
I just came back from a trip to Israel. It was a 11 hour flight to Israel and a 12 hour trip home.

I am just getting over a battle with pouchitis, so I was a bit worried. Luckily, I was (and still am) doing better just before I left.
I made sure to take immodium before I got on the plane (I don't take immodium very often, but it did the trick). On the way to Israel, I had a window seat, next to my friend and some other girl who I did not know but ended up being on my trip. I had to go to the bathroom 3 times. Our drinks were complimentary and I made sure to ask for extra water. We also got 2 meals on the flight. I don't have much issue with food, but didn't eat my salads because I know that can be a touch and go with me.
On the way home, I made sure to take the aisle seat. It was a good decision. I still went 3 times (over 12 hours...and I drank A LOT of water that day).

An aisle seat is a good advantage and also have Purell or some other hand sanitizer.

Have a good trip!

Thank you everyone. I am a bit nervous as I do not have an aisle seat, but I am going to eat light and take my immodium. My days are usually pretty good. It is about 7 pm or so when the witching hour starts.

To be honest I am more worried about San Francisco and finding available bathrooms while traveling as we are doing a far distance of travel in the car. I did map out the 49 mile drive to find out where all the available restrooms are. Hoping all goes well.

Kjeane,
I always insist on having and aile seat...you can do it at check in explaining, if they are reticient, that you have a bowel disease and that it is a must...I do it every time and it works...
Kjeane, San Francisco is not a problem, I did fine with my sick kpouch at the time and never wanted for clean facilities.
Just take wipes of T.P. with you if you have favoirtes.
Sharon

kjeane-
get to the airport and check in very early. You will probably be able to change your seat. If not at the main check in, try at the gate.

drink lots of water and eat very light. Also, try taking beano before flight as it helps keep break down the gas in the pouch.