Traveling, scary situations!

Hi , travelling to Norway sounds amazing, but I completely understand how you're feeling! Travel and anything out of the ordinary gives me so much anxiety, too.

For me, eating only very safe foods the day before traveling helps a lot. Since the anxiety usually gives me a flare in the morning anyway, I like to get up a lot earlier to deal with that at home, and then take some Imodium or other medication if I feel like I need it.
I always pack very safe, very plain snacks too, because I tend to get hungry at some point and I don't want to risk anything.
Are you traveling there with your partner? If yes, I'd talk to him about what might happen if you're flaring, like needing lots of bathroom breaks, not being able to talk when you're unwell, and so on. I personally can't be social during a flare and prefer listening to calming music and focusing on my breathing.
In addition, I would also make sure that his family members are aware of your condition and that you might not be feeling well at first because of the stress, just to manage expectations. This way, you won't have to worry about making a bad impression if you can't participate in meals (which has happened to me so many times).
I'm also going to link 2 articles about travel here: https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/traveling-ibs-expect-best-plan-worst, https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/how-to-travel-with-ibs. I really hope this helps.
Hopefully, everything will go well and you'll have an amazing time!
Wishing you all the best, Karina (team member)

Great advice by Karina. I dont travel much so I dont have advice but I will be going to a wedding 2 hrs away and staying for the night at a hotel and already planning on that 24hr period away from home and 4hrs traveling in the car.

Safe foods day before and day of
Light snacks
Immodium that morning even if I feel fine, maybe day before, not sure yet
I'll bring Tylenol with me
Water, Gatorade
Lycopodium (for bloating)
Roll on castor oil for belly at night

If I hadnt had a flare in over a week before I leave I may take Hyoscyamine day before and day off instead of Immodium.

Imodium seems to work well blocking things up but Hyoscyamine slows things down and takes care of the cramps.

Good luck and have fun in Norway.. Think positive and know everything is gonna be ok!

I know a lot of people get really excited a few days before a trip but I have to just tell myself all is well and just stay calm. I miss that excited feeling but I can’t afford that my body likes to get all worked up especially my guts. I definitely stick with safe foods and use the Hyoscyamine or Imodium if I have to or start feeling the least bit anxious. I’m careful on days and days before when I know we’ll be in the car a lot and have a bag in the car for in case of emergency poo situations - rarely or never have used them but just feel safer with things along and reducing my anxiety really helps me a lot. I love eating out and all the great food but I simply have to limit amounts or I can really cause myself grief. A cooler and leftovers are great if you have a condo or place to eat leftovers otherwise I beg my husband for us to compromise and share a lunch or dinner so not so much wasted food. Sometimes he’s willing and if not I just leave food behind as it is never worth it for me to overeat. Even on our cruise the nice part is I don’t gain a bunch of weight like some people do.

Am I allowed to post a link to a product I just saw on Tiktok? I think it will benefit us all with IBS and travelling.