weird question....any one have IBS and find it difficult to tour park?

[LaurLaur04]

I have IBS and sometimes I cannot enjoy my park day because I stay in the restroom. I find it difficult standing in long lines because I can get pretty anxious when it comes to not being in immediate access to a restroom. Does anyone have this problem? How do you cope?

 

[Chickkypoo]

I have IBS, but I find it doesn't tend to act up quite as much at Disney as I'm more relaxed, and all the walking helps as well. On days when it is acting up, I make sure to carry Immodium on me, to help control it.

 

[Chickkypoo]

I have IBS, but I find it doesn't tend to act up quite as much at Disney as I'm more relaxed, and all the walking helps as well. On days when it is acting up, I make sure to carry Immodium on me, to help control it.

 

[minnie mum]

You may find a lot of constructive suggestions over on the disAbilities board.

 

[LilyWDW]

I also suggest the Disabilities board!

I don't have IBS, but I do have other medical issues. Pretty much my biggest advice is have a plan and use fastpass. There is no way to lessen the amount of time spent in the line so do the best you can not to be in that situation. Know where the bathrooms are so you don't have to search when one is needed.

 

[LaurLaur04]

Thanks guys! I posted there imodium usually works the first few days but then that's it.

 

[DisneyMama21]

I have Crohn's and I always arm myself with Immodium. Haven't has really bad incidents yet in park but have had some rough mornings before park time and just made sure to go to the bathroom frequently so as to be preemptive.

 

[Chickkypoo]

Thanks guys! I posted there imodium usually works the first few days but then that's it.

As I usually have issues within 20 mins of a meal, my doctor has suggested I take the immodium before meals, and suggested taking up to 6 per day. This has helped some along with adding more fiber to my diet.

 

[mommyrosa2]

I have IBS and sometimes I cannot enjoy my park day because I stay in the restroom. I find it difficult standing in long lines because I can get pretty anxious when it comes to not being in immediate access to a restroom. Does anyone have this problem? How do you cope?

I can totally sympathize. I have IBS too and although I don't let it stop me, I do have to do a little pre-planning. Like someone else mentioned, get a hold of park maps and familiarize yourself with the restroom locations. I find that knowing where they are helps me to relax and not get anxious, thus my tummy doesn't act up. I also will eat nothing heavy while I'm in the parks and I stay away from any trigger foods. Another thing I do, and this might sound crazy, but I actually keep telling myself, in my head of course, to relax. If I have to go to the bathroom, there are plenty around...it does work. Good luck

 

[Sparkly]

I suffered this exact problem on our last trip. I agree with previous posters!

 

[ZoZo]

I can totally sympathize. I have IBS too and although I don't let it stop me, I do have to do a little pre-planning. Like someone else mentioned, get a hold of park maps and familiarize yourself with the restroom locations. I find that knowing where they are helps me to relax and not get anxious, thus my tummy doesn't act up. I also will eat nothing heavy while I'm in the parks and I stay away from any trigger foods. Another thing I do, and this might sound crazy, but I actually keep telling myself, in my head of course, to relax. If I have to go to the bathroom, there are plenty around...it does work. Good luck

I have Ulcerative Colitis and agree with the suggestions listed above. I try to stick to my regular eating plan as much as possible while at WDW (not too many rich foods, etc.). I also make sure to take my medications religiously, since skipping a dose or two can lead to problems.

There are lots of restrooms at WDW, and luckily I've been enough times that I am familiar with many of their locations. If you do need to leave a line to use the restroom, don't worry too much. I had to do that once, and people were very understanding about letting me back into the line.

Have a great trip!

 

[DVC-Don]

Another IBS sufferer here. I have it pretty much under control now, but always carry some Immodium tabs just in case. Plus I know where every single rest room is at WDW by now.

 

[Missytara]

My mom went several years ago, pre-surgery, when she had frequent urination. She commented how many restrooms were available and she never had an issue. We were there at a semi-slow time, so it was better than expected. But she never felt panicked like in other situations traveling.

 

[Goofy_Girl]

I suffer from ulcerative colitis that started as IBS and other than taking all your meds and/or supplements remember to drink plenty of water since dehydration can actually trigger issues. Also remember to try and keep stress levels down. Rest when you can, tour at a relaxed pace and take deep breaths. My Dr Always reminds me that stress is one of the biggest offenders that can cause flare ups. Also if you are a coffee drinker and able too then I suggest limiting caffeine since it can almost guarentee bathroom visits. Good luck and I hope you have a wonderful trip

 

[WDWPooh]

I carry tons of Pepto tabs and Immodium. I too find its not as bad at Disney. But its still a joke as to 'how long before mom is headed to the restroom' lol. I was diagosed as IBS... but now I get unbelievable pain under my left rib when I eat. So, I started taking fiber capsules. That seems to actualy help. So starting to get those into your regular diet would be good. I have found my digestive problems have improved alot since taking the fiber supplement.
Ugh... dont I get the digestion problems.. no fun. Good luck OP!
Anyone have any idea if the excruciating pain under the rib could be the start of chrohns or collitis? My dad had ulcerative collitis too..not sure if its heretitary or not. Terrible pain then hour in the bathroom.. no fun. Thank god the fiber helps. Hoping it will help at WDW.

 

[LaurLaur04]

I have that problem. Extreme abdominal pain then a run to the bathroom. Last trip I missed out on TSM because I got so panicked in the line. We had fast passes but it had been down a few hours so the fp line was longer than the standby! I had to run out of the Disney junior show once too. Its so embarrassing. My fear is being on a ride like pirates where once you get in that boat that's it! The meds I'm on now do not help the pain at all so i still feel like I'm going to have an accident but i actually don't even need to go half the time, the med is only doing half is job apparently! The anxiety is the worst. I went to see wreck it Ralph tonight with my daughter and we had to get up three times to go to the restroom! I felt like a horrible parent!

 

[Ali]

If it makes you feel more comfortable to carry extra clothes with you just in case then do it.

 

[Golden Rose]

I have IBS, too and have had it for more than half my life. I, too, rely heavily on Immodium. I have to eat early in the morning, preferably in the room, and then, well, wait a bit in the room until I feel like I am able to head out. We never can make it for rope drop, we don't even try. We just plan to have relaxing mornings in the room, and head to the parks when I am able. We never schedule ADRs before 11:30, and we sometimes scramble to make them.

I've lost half days and close to whole days on vacation, miserable and in pain in the bathroom, although not in several years. I used to stress about it. Now we own DVC and get annual passes most years, and it lets me relax because I know there will be other trips, and if we only can make it into the parks for a few hours, it's really ok.

For what its worth, I've never not made it to a bathroom in WDW. I've worried about it a little, but they do have a lot of bathrooms, and I've generally been able to get into a stall without much wait.

 

[ZehnJahren]

Have you ever talked to your doctor about something like dicyclomine/bentyl? I'm not sure if it's effective in IBS but I have problems since having my gallbladder removed (digestion issues) and the dicyclomine has been a lifesaver for me. It is a muscle relaxer, so it might help.

Could be worth a mention...?

 

[WDWPooh]

My IBS got worse after the gallbladder came out. But gallstones are the worst!

I carry a change of clothes soemtiems. As I explain it to my husband, its not a 'gonna have to go' its 'go now' lol.
I once had to run out of Monsters Inc. Thank god I wasnt the one on camera LOL!!!
Dont feel like a horrible parent LaurLaur04!! Kids understand.
Anxiety is the worst... I tried anxiety meds, but exp side effects. I get stressed out as to where bathrooms are everywhere I go... hate that.