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Published: January 6th 2013
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I've been debating about writing this blog topic, but I don't think anyone with IBD or IBS should be afraid to come to Cozumel, so here goes:
It took me quite a while to build up the courage to travel after coming down with Crohn's disease three years ago. It's pretty easy to have a pity party for yourself when you're very ill, like I was. But as I started to get better, got my medications sorted out and recovered from surgeries, I decided that I wasn't going to let Crohn's ruin everything for me. I know that some people with Crohn's or IBD are afraid to leave home for fear of a relapse or flare up, but I decided I wanted to live my life how I want and that definitely includes travel.
I think it's important to consult a travel doctor ahead of time for any long trip, give yourself at least six weeks as you may need time for some additional immunizations. For this trip, I had a follow up hepi immunization shot as well two doses of Dukoral. Last year I had tetnus and typhoid immunizations as well. My travel doctor also gave me a
supply of antibiotics in case I get sick while I'm here and if that occurs, he advises me to go straight to a hospital skipping any side of the road doctors. Ian and I have purchased full flight cancellation insurance and have decided that if I do start to get sick we will reschedule our travel and head home early as our back up plan. While most travel insurance doesn't cover pre-existing conditions, we purchased Blue Cross which will cover everything, even pre-existing conditions, as long as I've been stable for at least 3 months. I got a letter from my doctor before I left to confirm that, just in case.
I've been a little terrified of air plane travel with Crohn's, it helps if I can arrange flights that leave later in the day as opposed to early in the morning since my Crohns symptoms are worst in the morning and tend to settle down during the day. I'm also extremely careful about what I eat the day before and day of travel, pretty much reverting back to a very bland diet.
Whenever travelling - always, always wash your hands before you put anything in your mouth
- I cannot stress this enough. If you're in a restaurant, read the menu, then go wash your hands before you eat. Menus and cash money are covered in germs - so it's a good idea to wash your hands as fequently as possible when travelling. It's also a good idea to bring along a few disposable lysol cloths to wipe down remote controls and telephones in your hotel or condo rooms.
Eating in Cozumel has worked out really well with my diet. Our condo has a full kitchen so we cook 95% of our own food which makes it easier for me to keep things under control, just like at home. The large grocery stores like Chedraui and Super Mega here are very clean and I am confident purchasing foods at either. I do avoid purchasing foods from any open markets or any cooked foods that sit out at room temperature. If we are to eat out, we find restaurants with open kitchens so I can ascertain their level of cleanliness. I never feel bad if I decide to walk out of a restaurant if it doesn't look clean enough. I stick to well cooked foods and easy to digest items like chicken or fish.
No one drinks water from tap in Mexico, all drinking water comes from bottles, even water to brush our teeth, the water comes from a bottle. Washing dishes, hands or showering is fine with tap water. I wash all our vegetables and fruits in a sink full of cold water with a capful of bleach, then rinse well, then rinse again with bottled water.
Although there aren't many bugs here, we take precautions of using insect repellent if we go out in the evening and keep our screens closed at all times.
When Crohn's people are feeling good, it's so easy to think we don't need to take our medications, but when travelling especially, we need to bring along a full supply of all our medications, even a couple extras in case flights get delayed, and remember to take every dose on time every day.
I've been here for over 5 weeks and feel even better than I do at home. The sunshine, warm weather and beautiful ocean definitely help!!
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