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| Planning for an Excursion so that You Feel In Control and Can Concentrate on Enjoying Your Trip |
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| Getting Mobile |
| Making a Start |
| Paperwork |
| Travel Tips |
| Food and Drink |
| Overnight Stays in Homes and Hotels |
| Looking Good & Feeling Great |
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| Getting Mobile |
| The prospect of making any kind of journey, particularly if it's soon after your operation, can be daunting. There's the worry of being able to find a clean place to change a pouch, the thought of losing or running out of equipment, or simply being anxious about being away from familiar surroundings. Whatever your concern, feeling apprehensive is only natural. But having a stoma shouldn't be a barrier to any kind of domestic or international travel. With the right kind of preparation and planning, you can enjoy stress-free trips and rewarding holidays. Of course, individual circumstances and personal requirements will be different, but these guidelines will help focus attention on the general areas that need consideration before leaving home. |
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| Making a Start |
| The confidence to travel any significant distance from home takes a while to build, so it's usually best to start out with shorter excursions. In time, these excursions will provide the necessary reassurance to experiment with longer trips. Whether it's a weekend break in a local hotel or a four week tour of Australia, the principles that make for successful and enjoyable travel are the same. If there are any doubts about your ability to travel, a quick visit to a doctor or stoma care nurse can provide answers about when it's advisable and practical to do so. |
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| Planning what to take in advance takes the pressure off, and the knowledge that you're well prepared gives peace of mind. We all have different routines, so it's a good idea to prepare a checklist well before departure to take account of the items and equipment used on a daily basis or over a number of days. Think about pouches, skin barriers, skin protective wipes, filters and disposal bags and calculate the quantities required. Then double it to prepare for the unexpected: Airport delays, lost equipment or changes in climate and environment that may mean using more pouches than normal. It's also worth considering taking different sized pouches — perhaps smaller ones for sports activities and larger ones for times when pouch changes may be delayed. And in case extra supplies are needed while away, ask about stoma associations or where additional equipment can be purchased in the area. It's all about taking comfort from being in control. |
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| Before any travel, most people become better organized and err on the side of caution by making a checklist of everything needed before heading off. This can include things like doctors' letters, vaccinations, currency, weather forecasts, stoma products, etc. It's also a good idea to check if the destination country has ostomy products available in case luggage is lost or the trip is extended. A quick check on the Internet can help identify if the correct products are available or something similar, since not every brand and every style is universally available. Most countries these days have either their own manufacturers or distributors of products made overseas. Talk to the supplier you normally use and they may be able to advise you. |
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| Paperwork |
| When traveling abroad, we're all familiar with the need to carry essential documents like passports, tickets and visas. But it's also worthwhile thinking about securing a note from the doctor which describes the products and medications being carried and explains what they're used for — which means avoiding those potentially embarrassing questions at check-ins and customs. This note can be helpful should more supplies or medical advice be required while abroad. |
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| For most of us, insurance is a prerequisite for international travel, but it's important to look closely at the policy's small print to check whether age limits have been applied or exclusions added for pre-existing medical conditions. Such clauses could mean that the level of coverage may be insufficient. So if there are any doubts, just check with the insurance agent, broker or travel agent. |
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| On a more general note, it's wise to talk to doctors and travel agents about any vaccinations recommended for the countries being visited. And before traveling overseas, it's a good idea to know how to access medical aid while abroad and to have emergency contact details documented for easy reference. It's also wise, when taking prescription drugs, to have the boxes or bottles clearly labeled as well as a copy of the doctor prescription for backup. |
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| Travel Tips |
| While traveling, it's sometimes tempting to try to reduce the stoma flow by altering usual eating and drinking habits. But experience shows that it's generally not advisable to vary normal routines. On the other hand, a fresh change into a new pouch before leaving gives extra confidence and provides maximum security from the possibility of leaks. |
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Airline Weight Limits
Carrying a large quantity of supplies can make a big difference to the weight of luggage and it's always worth clarifying baggage limits with the airline in advance. Thankfully, some operators now offer special allowances for passengers carrying medical equipment. |
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| Make sure not to over pack individual pieces as the luggage may become too heavy to lift and the risk of muscle damage can increase (particularly if a hernia is present). Use luggage trolleys where possible or ask someone for help if the bags are heavier than normal. |
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Airline Forbidden Items
Remember that International Air Transport Regulations forbid passengers to take dangerous items on board, including ether, methylated spirits and inflammable aerosol adhesives and removers and even some scissors. A good thing to do is carry on already cut, or pre-sized products, so you don't need scissors. |
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| Also, many airlines place restrictions on liquids that can be taken on board. These often are limited in volume as well as type, for example, breast milk. Items like injectable medicines will require more paperwork for proof of need during a trip. |
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| The airline, your travel agent, or a pharmacist or stoma equipment supplier can advise you on what's allowed in the cabin and what should be packed into the hold. This may include some airport transfers. UK airports for instance allow only one piece of hand luggage (even if in transit from another flight which allows two pieces of hand luggage), so confirm allowances prior to departure. A separate, small travel kit containing items needed for a pouch change on board can make trips to the toilet for a change discreet as well as providing some back-up items in case luggage goes astray. It's always a good idea to have spares anyway. Always be prepared and make sure the spare products can fit easily in one carry-on piece of luggage if needed. |
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Airline Pre-Boarding Security Checks
Hand luggage will be inspected before boarding so it's best that any drugs being carried are accompanied by a doctor's note confirming that they're medical supplies. Body searches are now also commonplace, so be prepared, and if necessary obtain a travel card from a stoma association or equipment supplier that explains the stoma. |
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Using Airline Toilets
We all know that toilets can be very popular destinations on long flights — especially at specific times like after a meal. It also can sometimes be difficult to access facilities when trolleys are blocking the corridor. It therefore pays to be observant so a trip to the toilet can be timed for when most passengers are seated and the route is clear. |
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| Many people worry about a buildup of gas during flight and the possibility of the pouch bursting. Actually, gas buildup should be no more than usual but keep an eye on the pouch in case it feels like it's getting full. Sometimes filtered pouches can address this issue, or make a quick trip to the bathroom to let the gas out. |
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Car Travel
Traveling by car is more straightforward than flying, but there still are many practical ways to ensure maximum comfort and convenience on a trip. For example, make sure that the car seat belt sits across the hip bone and pelvis, not the abdomen and stoma. And for extra stoma protection, car accessory shops stock a number of products that make seat belts more comfortable. |
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Product Storage
Stoma products can become damaged with extreme changes in temperatures. Most manufacturers will have expiration dates on the box labels that can be checked before travel. Try and avoid storing products in the trunk or glove compartment of the car as this area can become extremely hot very quickly. Bathrooms are usually the best place for keeping stoma products in their best condition as they generally remain cooler (as long they're not too steamy). If staying where facilities are less than convenient, such as a campsite or caravan, a good idea is to keep them in a cool box that can insulate them from sharp changes in temperature. |
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Product Disposal
Disposal of used stoma pouches should not be difficult with proper preparations. Before changing pouches, check that the washbasin is not in a separate room from the toilet and that a means to dispose of the pouch is at hand. Some find alcohol hand rubs good for cleaning after a pouch change, or using a water bottle with diluted hand wash if there's nothing available to wash hands. |
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| Make a travel kit which contains toilet paper to wrap up the used pouch, as well as plastic carrier bags to dispose of them at a convenient place and time. Carry cleansing wipes to clean up any accidental mess. Don't hesitate to go into hotels or restaurants. Their facilities are more likely to be clean and to have washbasins and sanitary bins. |
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| Some manufacturers supply disposal bags in which used pouches can be wrapped for easy disposal. Diaper disposal bags can be purchased almost anywhere and come pleasantly scented. Freezer bags, available in convenient sizes with ties to close them, also make disposal of used pouches simple and discreet. |
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| Never try to flush the used pouches down the toilet as most plumbing systems are not designed to cope with the amount of plastic in a pouch. |
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| Food and Drink |
| When traveling, advice on food and drink is the same for anyone. Common sense precautions, such as avoiding local drinking water if the quality and purity is in doubt, apply to everyone. If in doubt about the quality of the water supply, buy bottled water for drinking and cleaning teeth. Bottled water is a good idea also if irrigating a colostomy. Most travel centers can offer water purification tablets to cleanse the local water supply if bottled water is unavailable or a problem to carry. |
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| Likewise, eating foods that have been well-cooked or washed in clean water, or come from a reliable source is important for everyone. |
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| Also look out for becoming dehydrated in hot climates. As chances of dehydration increase, people should drink more fluids — preferably water. An early sign of being dehydrated is the production of less urine than usual. Special re-hydrating solutions can be useful for severe cases of dehydration and are readily available. Also, commercial sports drinks contain varying amounts of salts and sugars which may help with re-hydration faster. |
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| Air travel itself can cause dehydration. If the plane trip is quite lengthy (several hours or more) dehydration can occur because the air in the cabin is less humid than usual. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages, which actually cause you to lose fluids. |
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| It's always tempting on holidays to have a few celebratory drinks. Try to avoid excessive alcohol consumption. |
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| Sweating from the heat (and exercise) may not only cause a large loss of water from the body, it may loosen the adhesive on some stoma products or reduce the amount of time you can wear them. Always check the seal on the pouch for leaks if experiencing hotter than usual conditions. |
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| Any change of water, climate or food can upset your insides when traveling, so be prepared. Diarrhea medications are available without prescription from most local supermarkets and pharmacies, and, if taken at the first sign of trouble, can often nip the problem in the bud. Be careful if traveling with products containing codeine, as this drug is illegal in some countries, even with a prescription. |
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| Diarrhea, particularly if accompanied by a fever and vomiting, may also lead to a shortage of salt in the body. The difficulty is knowing just how much salt needs replacing. Normally one level teaspoon of salt a day is all that's needed, but if the stoma output doubles then salt intake needs to be doubled also. Don't take salt on its own. Add it to food or take commercial salt solutions or tablets, which are available from local supermarkets or pharmacists. |
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| Overnight Stays in Homes and Hotels |
| Staying overnight, whether at a friend or family member's home, or a hotel or motel in any country, may cause some concerns. |
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| If staying in the homes of friends or family who may not be aware of your special needs, it may not be necessary to tell them at all. But, if you choose to, you may be surprised how helpful and understanding they are. |
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| Before staying in a hotel at home or abroad, it's a good idea to try to make sure to get an en-suite bathroom. This will enable you to change your pouches easily, in private and at leisure, at a convenient time. |
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| Looking Good & Feeling Great |
| Holidays are to be enjoyed and this involves wearing what we feel most comfortable in. Having a stoma places very few restrictions on clothing and sometimes no restrictions at all. Just be careful to avoid especially tight fitting clothing that may restrict the pouch function. |
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| There's no reason to avoid the beach or pool, but some swimwear might be the exception to the 'wear what you like' rule. Depending on the stoma position, a bikini or tight, skimpy trunks might not be the best options, but there's plenty of other fashionable beachwear available. Sometimes bold patterned fabrics, rather than flat colors, can better disguise potential bulges. But, to be honest, most people won't even notice. |
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| Finally, if visiting somewhere tropical, don't forget to pack the sunscreen, hats and sunglasses. Sunburn can ruin anybody's holiday. |
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