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Hi gang!

Ever since I got my K pouch, everyone around me keeps telling me I can never travel again because of diet restriction, infection and blockages, but I just don't believe them! It's a little scary when I've gotten a blockage, I have thought about it, because I love to travel. One of my usual countries is El Salvador (my hubby is from there, have lots of family there still). I've been there five times over the past 10 years with my old J pouch, and never got sick. They have everything we have, all the usual fast food chains, plus a few really fantastic local diners. I love going there, incredible beauty, tropical weather, miles of coast line with palm trees. BUT, if I ever did get sick, I'd be screwed. Their Heath care is terrible, and costly. Before, I was constantly on Cipro and Flagyl, so I could handle anything, and never had a blockage, no so anymore. I've had two blockages in two months. If it happened there, I'd have to instruct the staff what to do, problem is, they simply don't have the equipment or experience. Here it's simple, just take me to the fluro suite, find the blockage and intibate it until its clear, there, not as easy. Fluro x-ray doesn't exsist there, I'd have to fly home for treatment, and when your intestine is blocked, every second counts. Unfortunately it's a 6 hour flight, so what to do? I refuse to let my K pouch stop me from going there, but part of me is afraid in case I do get sick, what do you think? I'm suppose to go there again this coming Easter (amazing sight to behold, the entire country celebrates) and I really want to go. I have two god children, many sister in laws, cousins, uncles and aunts to visit (all part of Freddy's family, but I've grown to love them over the years). I know many of you travel, have you ever encountered problems, and if so, how did you handle it? One thing about us Canadians?, we love to travel, considering its cold and wet for half the year, we have to go south to save our sanity! I'm no exception to that rule, I've never been further then Central America, only all across Canada and the USA. I want to go to Brazil, Argentina, plus a few others, please tell me it's possible with a K Pouch! I've already written a description of what it is and how to treat it, in English and Spanish (actually, Freddy translated it for me, my Spanish is terrible!) which I will carry in my wallett when I travel, just in case. Hell, most doctors here in Toronto don't know what a K pouch is, I feel like I belong to an endangered species! Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Eric Eeker

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You may be just have adhesion trouble which can loosen up on their own. You may also have to chew more, alot more, and drink my fluids to handle this too. I used to have blockages in the beginning but I don't anymore. Chewing is key, and watch for foods that are hard to digest until your chewing is learned....yes, learned, chew to mush. If it can't be chewed up well, then don't swallow it! In time, it will get better. Hugs
J
Eric,
You have got to be kidding...never travel again???? Are you serious???? I have had mine for 33yrs, in every possible condition known and I have traveled to civilized and 3rd world countries without a problem...I went to Turkey with a split-post-op-peristomal-hernia and survived 2 weeks...I walk, sprint, travel, climb etc...by spring you should be just fine but you have to do the do-diligence...and pack your bags right...I travel with my 'emergency kit'...a stiff urinary cath in case I can't intubate with the normal one, soft curved and strait caths, a legbag + attachments, clamps, tape,plugs and whatever I may need to walk around hooked up in case of emergency...antibiotics, colon cleanser (yup, in case of blocage it helps me to unblock if there is no prune juice where I am)and anything else I can think of...I also eat mostly protiens and avoid foods like rice (very binding), beans (very gas forming ) and fiberous fruits and veggies (bad memories of my first honeymoon in Hawaii and pineapple on a new pouch!!!)...I still try and taste local foods, enjoy myself and have fun but I intubate a bit more often (to make sure all stays unblocked and clear) and at the first sign of problem I do what I need to do...
Do not allow this to stop you from living...I never did.
Besides, life is way to short and getting shorter by the minute....
Sharon
skn69
There is traveling and then there is traveling...I took flights home 6 weeks post op but that is going from known to known...a place where I had surgery to a place I live...anywhere in the U.S. or Canada I consider to be safe...not so sure if I would travel to China or Afganistan 6weeks post op.
Sharon
skn69
Thanks guys, I'm just about to book my flight to El Salvador for April, come hell or high water, I'm going! We just found out Freddy's cousin and his wife are expecting twins, there's no way I'm missing out on seeing them, and my god children! I'm sure I'll be fine, can't wait to get there!

Cheers!
Eric Big Grin
Eric
I have travelled a lot since my k pouch. When I first wanted to travel I posted on the site (almost 3 years ago) and have been to China & South America, The best advise I got was taking a kit and enough supplies and then some. I got nurovirus (I can't spell it) and would have been lost if not for my leg bag. I would follow Sharon's advise and take all your supplies plus any - just in case - medication. Take a daily back pack and fill with anything you would need in case you can't get back to where you are staying. I also buy bottle water to carry with me. Have a great trip!
J
Hi Eric, Vanessa and Sharon and I think Jasmine

I have to add my 2 cents. I just traveled to the East Coast. I had a blockage while I was there from eating lobster. Didn't chew it enough. It happened while I was looking for a rest room on a street I had never been on before. The pain began and I almost fainted from it but found a pizza parlor got in the bathrom inserted the tube and waited. Ended up laying on the floor for almost 20 minutes while it finally came thru and relief was achieved.

Sooo the thing I dreaded the most did happen but I made it thru. I have at least one blockage a month lately. Hopefully yours can resolve without going into the hospital if you don't panic and give it a chance to come out.

Is anyone else having these blockages. I never had them the first few years. Now 6 years out
jeannie
I have never used bottled water in my pouche's entire life (33+yrs) and I have been to some of the grungiest places in the world...I have irrigated with water drawn directly from the toilet, a well, a lake and of course ocean water and honestly...it never caused a problem...I have also had blockages from chinese food (those darned mushrooms!) and various other foods while traveling but I have managed to work my way through it...it is a question of calm, patience and know-how...always have your 'normal'kit with you + the emergency supplies and if needed be ready to go on protiens only or clear fluids when necessary...
That is just life with a k pouch and honestly once it is healed and healthy you live with it like normal people live with their guts. You should not be thinking about it too much or over worried just vigilant when eating and keep a good pharmacy in your backpack as well (metronyzol, anti bacterials, colon cleansers, salt tabs, concentrated prunes....)
And as I alway say...don't forget to have fun! Darn it, we deserve it!
Sharon
skn69
I usually use tap water, I figure I've been drinking it all my life, so it should be safe. One weird, but wonderful thing? For the past 15 years I suffered from sever pouchitis and cuffitis (the reason I opted for the K pouch) and was on Cipro and Flagyl the entire time. BUT, since my K pouch was installed last June, not one hint of pouch inflammation, and no more meds! Blockages yes, but no pouchitis, yahoo! So, traveling should not be an issue!

Thanks everyone!
Eric Big Grin
Eric
I guess you are brave then I use tap water too at home but I irrigated in NYC with tap water and my infection was bad I had to go on 2 different antibiotics to clear it up. one week of my vacation was ruined. I was instructed to always use bottle water if I wasn't around the water my pouch was used to.

A blockage is when food gets stuck or trapped in the intestine. Usually adhesions cause some narrowing and can aid to a blocakge. To move it along you are supposed to drink warm liquids. Sometimes for the whole day. I have yet to have one so I hope I am not prone to getting them.
vanessavy
Agree with all the advice about taking the right supplies, I also get a full prescription from my doctor for CIPRO, just in case I start feeling bad but like the others I have traveled everywhere and no issues, just be careful what you eat, chew, chew and drink lots of fluids. Should actually be easier, becuase by April you will have stretched your pouch and won't have to find a bathroon on every corner. Have a great time
A
Donna,
Most surgeons try if possible to use the old pouch unless it is ulcerated, very inflamed or otherwise very sick...it saves on gut-length and allows them a back-up plan if you ever need another new pouch...my doc (same as Eric) has had to do some work on my over the years and cut out a few lengths of intestine each time...according to him, I have more than enough to rebuild another pouch if needed...so no worry.
Sharon
skn69
Thanks, Sharon, it makes sense. I also admire your compassion and the personal knowledge you give to so many people on this site. It could be so lonely for so many if the support was not available as it is on this site. I remember when i first got my j-pouch in 1995. The CCFA had a back page with codes where you could write to people. The letters would go to CCFA headquarters and then they were forwarded to the person you addressed it to. It took weeks for you to be connected to a buddy but that's all there was in those days. We are all so lucky that all of this information is at our fingertips.
DH

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