Nervous about traveling

Hi ladies...
DH and I are driving up to NY today for a wedding and to visit family and friends.
I'm trying not to be nervous, but my stomach is in pieces...I have IBS and it acts up during travel even if I don't eat anything that will hurt me. Normally for these trips I take my meds and immodium and I'm fine.
I can't take my meds and the dr. said no immodium either

any tips to ease my apparently nervous stomach? Or do you know anything I might be able to take to settle it? Its a good 8-10 hours in the car

Re: Nervous about traveling

Good music, good snacks, and sleep. Try to relax, everything will be fine.

Enjoy the wedding!!!!!

Re: Nervous about traveling

the two things that always work for me are ginger ale and gatorade. i don't have IBS but i definitely have a "delicate" stomach.

just try and sleep as much as you can good luck and enjoy new york!!

Re: Nervous about traveling

I don't have IBS but DH does. And I swear stress makes it flare up. Easier said than done, but try to relax. Bring a good book that you can get lost in and I'm sure you'll be ok.

Enjoy the trip!

Re: Nervous about traveling

Have a safe trip - can't wait to see you and the little bean!

Make sure to stop when you need to so you can stretch your legs and get a snack.

Re: Nervous about traveling

Maybe gingerale?

Try to relax.

Re: Nervous about traveling

I feel ya

I have moderate to severe IBS and those episodes are HORRIBLE. I can map out almost every bathroom in the tri-state area!



Luckily being pregnant has been making it easier for me.

Here's my suggestions (from MY experience)





Try to relax – If you can try some warm milk with sugar (low fat if necessary) an hour before you take off. It’s a natural sedative. Get some eye covers so you can sit back with your eyes closed. If you able to distract yourself with a book or game and not get car sick, try that. Try not to stress the length of the trip.

Schedule stops – Its good for you/the baby and the car. Take a look at the travel route and pick a few small towns or something to sit and have a snack. Nothing heavy, maybe some fruit. Plan those stops for a half hour or more if you can. IMPORTANT, always plan these stops with a backup stop close to in your travel so if you need to stop soon after food you’re not looking at the bushes on the side of the highway as an option.

Eat – Carefully to be sure, but you have to eat, if you don’t you will get hungry and stress more of your fear of eating. Bring small snacks with you that are high in water and fiber. If you need to stop for major meals, then be sure you give yourself plenty of ‘recovery’ time and also remember the trick of having a backup city close by.

Tums – Call your doctor and ask if you can take Tums. Sometimes if I feel like an episode could happen it’s a great mental relief to take Tums. I can’t take my drugs anymore (way too strong) and Tums usually don’t come CLOSE to helping my condition but since it’s all I can take, I con myself into thinking its helping. You have to BELIEVE! LOL

Information – If you can manage it, stop at any state visitor centers (if you cross any and their open) they are great resources for rest stops and food stops. Most rest stops these days are big fancy affairs with food and shops. I know there’s a bad rep to rest stops and horror/scare stories but just be vigilant, aware of your surrounds and use your hubby as a watch out if you’re really nervous (night I do this) and you should be fine. I always keep tissues in the car in case the rest stop is low on TP.

HTH

Re: Nervous about traveling

Thanks ladies,

I had DH get some ginger ale and some caffiene free soda...and I plan on taking some light snacks in the car, like saltines and pretzels.
Reading in the car, makes me dizzy that that is out...so I wll try my best to relax and sleep as much as I can.

Of course it has to rain today, and it looks like we will be in the rain the whole way up to NY