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Posted 12/10/2014 8:59 PM (GMT -5)
Ah, how to react when your birthday gift is a 3 day trip to Orlando that leaves in two days......... Should be really excited but instead just anxious/worried...... you guys know the drill.
Posted 12/10/2014 9:08 PM (GMT -5)
Excited. I haven't been there in years but I'd expect that there would be a lot of clean bathrooms at Universial if you needed one.
Posted 12/10/2014 9:18 PM (GMT -5)
Yeah, I know the feeling all too well. You'll have fun once you've arrived. It's the travel bit, airports, long car rides, etc... nice uc induced anxiety. I had a red eye flight outta boston 3 or so weeks back so it's still fresh in my mind.
Posted 12/10/2014 9:19 PM (GMT -5)
Yeah, there's bathrooms everywhere. Great place. Pack some Imodium and try to enjoy yourself!
Posted 12/10/2014 9:26 PM (GMT -5)
Asking the mother-in-law for a xanax. Never tried it but may help. Calling doc tomorrow to get some Lomitil, if not extra bottle immodium. Double up and do an extra Humira shot this week and throw some extra enemas in for good measure........
Posted 12/10/2014 9:50 PM (GMT -5)
Hey Dr-A. Happy birthday~!

You were kind in posting to me around my b-day. I want to return the favor.

Depending on how I was doing I might be anxious as well with the trip. However, as you know there are things that you can do to really ease the pressure on yourself.

I for one would eat a lot less before the travel portions of the trip; that has always helped me in situations where I didn't need my gut reminding me to hurry or prepare for a mess. Being at the park shouldn't be as bad as the travel because you can always walk away from the lines and find a bathroom.

Remember the good times you've had in your life so far while on your trip. Be thankful for a little time to be mindless of responsibilities.

Also, something that helps me is to practice acceptance for whatever comes. If I get sick I get sick, if I make a mess, it's not my fault. Others may not understand, but anyone that you're really concerned with what they think should be close enough to you to understand your situation, and thus be empathetic and ready to go enjoy life with you!

I myself have a trip with my in-laws planned, and my aim with it is just plain relaxation. I don't get excited over travel since I'm a homebody, but being somewhere calming and free of work can be soothing if you let it be.

Good luck, have fun!!
Posted 12/11/2014 4:19 AM (GMT -5)
This is such a coincidence - i was surprised with a trip to Universal just couple of weeks ago. I've always loved rollercoasters but hadn't been on any since I'd got sick. I had the best time, but the next day I started to bleed a lot. It was so disappointing. So my advice would be to be sensible and not go on too many of the adrenaline pumping rides; the acute stress definitely aggravates.

Have a wonderful birthday!
Posted 12/12/2014 12:09 PM (GMT -5)
Scored a script for the Lomitil and also a few xanax for pre-flight, got a full hydrocort enema in last night and this morning. Able to get two full ones in last two days. Took an extra Humira shot couple days ago. 4 hours pre-flight one immodium in. I'll top off with a Lomitil in an hour. Ate light yesterday and had a small protein bar this morning. I'll drink a little more water and be done till we land.

Enemas packed in checked luggage, everything else going in carry on including the oops I crapped my pants bag.
Posted 12/12/2014 12:18 PM (GMT -5)
Enjoy Dr A and happy birthday! I'm a Saggitarius too...good people. My bday is next week...funny that I think I am being surprised with a new vacuum..lol. A Universal trip sounds great!
B
Posted 12/12/2014 12:20 PM (GMT -5)
Ya gotta love life with UC! Happy birthday anyway!
Posted 12/12/2014 12:51 PM (GMT -5)
Sounds like you are prepared. Really hope you have a good trip, and remember to use this time to relax a bit! Kinda funny how vacations can potentially be the most stressful for us with UC, but it is possible to relax!
Posted 12/12/2014 4:48 PM (GMT -5)
Happy Birthday, Dr-A!
Looks like you did your homework.
Hope the trip goes well and you return with lots of (good) stories to post.
IAS :-)
Posted 12/13/2014 11:51 PM (GMT -5)
Pretty easy day 1. Several BM's this morning. Started off day with an immodium + 1/2 cortenema couple hours before leaving room then 2 lomitil an hour after that and a 5 mg xanax. Followed it by 1 lomitil every 2-3 hours into day. Didn't hear from the stomach for the rest of the day. Ate protein bar early, couple crackers at the park. Rode most of the big rollercosters which was a blast and did lots of standing in line at the new Harry Potter areas. Light dinner at which time I noticed the intestines started moving around again.

Park restrooms are pretty much everywhere. Express Lane tickets are a big plus and that cuts down on any standing in line except for the couple of newer areas. Walk from resort to park is about a 5 min stroll which is nice. Know what to expect for day two. Hopefully another good day.
Posted 12/13/2014 11:59 PM (GMT -5)
Hell yeah, take it on and have a blast. Enjoy your second day, live it up!
Posted 12/14/2014 6:33 PM (GMT -5)
Day 2, close to same routine. 4-5 BM's followed up by the 1/2 cortenema immodium/lomitil/xanax and eventually out the door. No hurry getting out into the park. Wife knows mornings are worse for me and I am just not going out to the park early, lol. She just chills out until I give the ok. Did all the costers again, lol. The extra rush tends to shut down the bowels a little more for me. No real food out while in park riding (will power), just water. Had couple fish tacos at Margaritaville before coming back to room. No alcohol... just the nicotine patch on the foot, lol. Have a cup of coffee to get the bowels to wake back up.

Lotsa of prep and experience on what not to do pays off I suppose. Tomorrow will travel back. Shuttle out at 10am so I'll be up at 5am. Probably start an imodium first around 6 and follow with a few lomitil by 7. Seems to take this stuff about 3 hours to kick in for me and quiet the bowel sounds.

Fun time. Just have to do the typical UC stuff to ensure that happens.
Posted 12/14/2014 7:24 PM (GMT -5)
Happy Birthday. Sounds like you're having a good time regardless of the UC. I hate this illness. I wish you could just be better so you could enjoy yourself without the morning poops and the imodium.
Posted 12/15/2014 12:28 AM (GMT -5)
We have to do the routine, it's mandatory, it's just a way of life. It sucks, but there is no way we can come close to having a half-normal day without it. To be honest, comparing our little dance to people with much worse disabilities, we aren't that badly disadvantaged. I wake up three hours earlier than when I have to be out the door on a daily basis, with or without a vacation, so it's a matter of habit.

I miss the days when I could just go out on a whim, or not have to sleep 5-6 hours because there's no other way for me to physically leave the house. It's the simple things in life that we regret not enjoying until they're gone.
Posted 12/15/2014 7:01 PM (GMT -5)
Good trip overall. No issue with sudden urges. Lots of immodium and lomitil assured me a good trip, lol. I think I'll get a proper script for xanax for any future trips. Seemed to help.

Just hope this helps someone see that stuff can be done and enjoyed with UC. You just can't do it like everyone else does. YOU have your own routine that you gotta stick by. Took me years to figure out what to do, how much stuff I actually have to take, all the extra goodie foods that I don't participate in, when not to eat and when it is safe to eat.

Good memories once again.
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