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IBS on the plane?

I went on a vacation, just got back yesterday. Only a 3-hour plane journey. But I had terrible IBS both times, even though I only ate very little before we boarded, nothing spicy or anything like that. And I had a bottle of water with me so that's all I had to drink, no carbonated drinks or anything.
But on the journey there I was so constipated and had to visit the toilet a few times. I didn't want to take anything for it like laxatives or anything as I don't like to take things like that when travelling in case it causes me to need the toilet more or something.
Then on the journey back I wasn't constipated but developed terrible wind that I had to hold in because it would have been not only embarrassing but also unpleasant to let out. But it was uncomfortable, painful even, to sit with wind in my tummy bubbling around.
That was more awkward than the constipation I'd had. It seems when you have wind and go to the bathroom to relieve yourself it doesn't always come out - until you come back out then you suddenly want to fart and makes you wish you had stayed in the bathroom just a few seconds more.
It can be very socially awkward.

What do you do when travelling with IBS? Especially if you suffer with wind a lot like I do? I get windy no matter what I eat or don't eat.

  1. Just want to share a few of the articles by our community members who have also written about traveling with IBS. https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/how-to-travel-with-ibs
    https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/travel-with-ibs

    Plus we have a forum with a few posts here: https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/forums/traveling-scary-situations

    It may provide some extra insight or comfort while we are waiting for some of our community members to chime in with their own thoughts! Traveling with any chronic illness but especially IBS can be stressful and anxiety-ridden, hopefully this helps some! Keep on keepin' on, DPM

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