When I was a kid, I took lots of trips—to the bathroom. I couldn’t put on weight, and everything I ate upset my stomach. In high school, I was finally diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, an incurable irritable bowel disease like ulcerative colitis, which my mother and brother also suffer from. Chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, resulting in diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and abdominal pain, among other symptoms, is debilitating at worst and embarrassing at best. Still, thanks to an amazing gastroenterologist, a major surgery, and a cocktail of prescription medications including Infliximab infusions every eight weeks, I haven’t let it stop me from seeing the world. In fact, in the past 18 months I’ve touched down on all seven continents in my career as a travel writer. The best part: I’m far from the only “Crohnie” out there collecting passport stamps; I’ve even met travelers with stoma bags.
“With proactive measures and preventative approaches tailored to their specific needs, my patients can embrace life’s adventures without limitations,” says Dr. Kenneth Brown, a Texas gastroenterologist and host of the Gut Check Project podcast. Of course, he doesn’t recommend leaving home if you’re in the middle of a flare-up. “If a patient is experiencing issues related to their Crohn’s disease, our priority is to ensure that they are in a state of remission before embarking on their journey. In some cases, we have had to delay travel plans until their health has sufficiently improved.”
For that reason, Brown is a big proponent of travel insurance, specifically a policy that covers pre-existing conditions. Pro tip: Even though it can be inconvenient, the best way to make sure you’re completely covered is to speak with a live agent on the phone before committing to a policy.
In addition to making sure I have the right coverage, I also do my homework on the destination. In April I’m headed to Brisbane, Australia, where I know I’ll have access to excellent healthcare. That said, my Crohn’s doesn’t stop me from traveling to remote places either. In May, I’m headed to Loapi Tented Camp in South Africa’s Kalahari Desert. I’ve let the property know of my dietary needs ahead of time, so I won’t get sick from any unwanted culinary surprises, and every booking comes with a private safari guide and vehicle, so I don’t need to worry about upsetting fellow travelers if I have to head back early on a game drive because I’m tired or need a toilet. Finally, should I need to be transported to a hospital, I can get a lift in the property’s private planes (make sure to get an insurance policy that covers medical evacuations).
I’m not going to sugarcoat it: Traveling with Crohn’s is costlier than traveling without it. If it means I have to take fewer trips, so I can spend the money needed to make each trip more comfortable, it’s 100 percent worth it. Last month I took United’s new nonstop flight from Manila to San Francisco. It wasn’t cheap, but I flew Polaris business class, which has a lower passenger-to-porcelain throne ratio (my biggest plane nightmare isn’t turbulence, it’s having an accident while waiting for the lavatory) and lie-flat seats so I can elevate my legs. Forty-six percent of “Crohnies”—how we refer to ourselves in our support groups—suffer from joint problems like swelling. I’m one of the unlucky ones, so extra space is a priority.
Even if you can’t afford to fly first class, there are plenty of things you can do to take some of the pain out of traveling with IBD. Below are seven essentials, starting at just $17, that I always bring with me, whether I’m going away for two days or two weeks. They’re a far cry from a cure for Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis, but they provide serious peace of mind and are almost as valuable as my passport when it comes to exploring this wild and wonderful planet.
My packing essentials for traveling with Crohn’s:
Stance Compression Socks
Like many people with Crohn’s, my joints often swell during a flare-up. Of course, long-haul flights, where I’m sitting long enough to watch four feature films including Titanic, are the worst. Before I discovered these game-changers, my feet and ankles would sometimes balloon up to the point where they would barely fit in my shoes upon landing. These socks offer enough compression that the swelling is kept at bay, but not so much that I have red marks on my legs when I take them off.
Always Discreet Panties
Although they’re designed for postpartum, these disposable panties are worth stocking up on if you’re worried about accidents. I had one in the Denver Airport when I was prepping for a colonoscopy—and it was mortifying. Had I been wearing these, I could have easily disposed of them (they’re just 66 cents each) and put on a fresh pair. Unlike the disposable underwear you get at a spa before a massage or spray tan, these neutralize odors and have built-in leak-guard technology. They’re not exactly sexy, but they’re far better than the alternative of ruining a pair of pants and having to tie your jacket around your waist. So many women love them that they have nearly 30,000 five-star ratings and more than 10,000 boxes were sold last month alone.
Lululemon InvisiWear Mid-Rise Bikini
Obviously, I don’t want to wear adult diapers 24/7, so I also pack these moisture-wicking panties. I love them because they dry super fast, which is handy when I do laundry in the hotel sink. And since they’re a mid-rise bikini fit with four-way stretch, they provide plenty of coverage which is greatly appreciated when I’m bloated. But perhaps the best part about these panties is the fact they’re practically invisible—I can wear them with my favorite travel leggings without worrying about camel toe or panty lines.
All Joy Travel Heating Pad
This super-soft, USB-powered heating pad is a must for anyone who suffers from cramps, whether they are Crohn’s-induced or menstrual cycle–related. A foldable 24″ x 9″, it easily fits in my carry-on, and boasts a pocket I can slip my power bank into, which is great because it does have to be plugged in to work. You can also plug it into USB ports on planes, and even your computer; however, power banks or wall outlets charge it the fastest. I mostly wear this pad around my waist, but thanks to the adjustable strap, you can wear it over your shoulder, neck, back—pretty much anywhere you have discomfort. It has three different heat settings and automatically shuts off after two hours.
Vuori Boyfriend Jogger
I’m not one for yo-yo diets, but my weight fluctuates like gas prices. For that reason, I love these looser-fitting joggers that have an adjustable drawstring. When I’m going through a flare-up and losing weight, I can tighten them, and if my symptoms are bloating and gas, I can let them out to give me more breathing room. I don’t know how Vuori does it, but the scientists behind its DreamKnit fabric deserve the Nobel Peace Prize for fashion—the brushed jersey fabric makes them feel buttery soft.
Body Restore Shower Steamers
I first discovered shower steamers while staying at a five-star hotel in Paris that had them as an amenity. They’re a total game-changer on travel days when I’m feeling overwhelmed. Since stress can trigger Crohn’s flare-ups, I do everything I can to minimize it. As with bath bombs, these tablets rely on aromatherapy to relax you. But unlike their chemical-laden competitors, they are made with peppermint, eucalyptus, and menthol essential oils. I love that they’re individually wrapped, so I can pack the exact number I’ll need, and that they work instantly, transforming any shower into a spa-like environment.
Athletic Greens Travel Packs
Not only can fresh fruits and vegetables be hard to find when you’re traveling, but they’re also hard to digest if you have Crohn’s disease. To ensure I get all of my vitamins and minerals, I travel with these packs of Athletic Greens that I simply mix with cold water. At nearly $5 a pop, they’re pricey, but they still cost less than a smoothie in most places, and have way more nutrients (that because they’re in powder form, are easily absorbed). I also appreciate that there are probiotics in the mix. According to The University of California, Berkeley’s University Health Services, “There is good evidence that probiotics help in the treatment of most causes of diarrhea as well as the prevention of antibiotic associated diarrhea and traveler’s diarrhea.”
Condé Nast Traveler does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.
