I Went to Philly and My IBS Got Silly

For the first time in a long time, I traveled by myself, and boy was it nerve-wracking. I’m so used to traveling with my wife, whom I love traveling with because she’s my greatest supporter and also knows how to keep me calm. However, for this business trip, my wife was unable to come with me and I was on my own; which I was okay with as I’m trying my hardest this year to challenge myself to be more independent when it comes to traveling. As you all know, traveling with IBS is not easy by any means. Anyway, I made the six-hour-drive to Philadelphia to finally visit the Health Union headquarters where a special conference was being held. If you don’t know what Health Union is, it’s the wonderful company that created this IBS online platform that you’re on right now, among the several other platforms they started, to help connect people and build supportive communities for those who suffer from the same illnesses. Nonetheless, I finally got the chance to meet the people from behind the computer screen that I’ve worked with for almost 2 years now, so I was certainly excited and nervous at the same time.

Traveling and IBS don't mix

When the day came to start my drive to Philly, I made sure I didn’t hit the road until I felt comfortable enough with my IBS. In other words, I needed to make sure I got everything out of my system as much as I could because I didn’t want to drive for hours with extreme pain and possibly having to stop several times. I feel like I’m giving TMI (as usual) but this is the reality for many of us suffering from a debilitating condition, such as IBS, where we have to prepare ourselves for hours before we’re able to go out into the world and function like “regular” people. Either way, I handled my business, packed up several supplies, and finally left the house to make my way to Philly.

While I was on the road, I made sure to eat snacks that were small portions to avoid triggering my symptoms. However, IBS can be surprising at times and unexpectedly hit you with consistent stomach jabs no matter how much you’re trying to escape it. Regardless, I had to do my best to keep going because I didn’t have anyone to drive back-up. I also listened to music that would either keep me calm or distracted from the pain, which was somewhat helpful. During that drive, I felt like I was running a marathon, and my stomach pain was my body trying to give up on me. However, I kept on pushing through until I made it to my hotel, exhausted, but proud of myself for completing the journey. While I was lying on my hotel bed feeling good about what I just did, a sudden wave of anxiety flashed over me when I realized I still have to actually go to the conference and interact with people I never met in person before. Unfortunately, my social anxiety and nervousness still affects my IBS, and I ended up dealing with a lot of bloating and constipation throughout the whole conference.

I’m sure many of you IBS sufferers can relate when I say that traveling and IBS just do not mix well. Many of us feel overcome with fear and anxiety because there’s a possibility that the worst could happen, such as not being able to make it to the toilet in time. I’m so glad that wasn’t the case for me (this time). Then there’s also the horrible gas pain and the bloating that comes along with the uncomfortable territory. Sometimes I can’t help but ask the universe, “why does this have to be MY painful reality?” And then the universe replies with, “Well, who else would you rather it be?” Then I think for a moment and realize that I wouldn’t wish this kind of pain and suffering on my worst enemy. I have no choice but to accept that this IS my reality, and in order to endure this struggle I had to change my perspective about it throughout my trip.

Overcoming my fears

So, with all of that being said, I did something I didn’t think I would be able to do on my own, which was fight my fears of traveling alone with my condition AND going to a conference on top of all that. With IBS constantly in my gut and on my mind, I still got in my Jeep and drove hours away from my home state to a place I’ve never been before (which created even more anxiety for me), and yet, I made it to Philly and back safe and sound. I have to appreciate the fact that I did my best to manage my health while on the road and in Philly, while also recognizing that I was courageous enough to fight through my social anxiety and IBS.

My experience in Philly was still great and I have absolutely no regrets about going because, like I said, I finally got to meet the awesome Health Union team in person, which was a long overdue encounter. During the conference I gained so much knowledge about what it means to be a true patient advocate, which gave me more purpose in my career. All in all, the experience was so inspiring that it instilled in me more drive to continue raising and spreading awareness about my invisible illness as best and creatively as I know how. So, despite my IBS acting silly while in Philly, I overcame some of my fears and became stronger mentally!