I am about 10 months into my diagnosis, change of eating habits, and healing. Quite honestly, I was feeling LOTS better before this year's allergy season hit early and harder than I can ever remember, but I don't feel badly. I think it's more tired than anything and have a cough that seems to NEVER want to go away.
I feel I hit remission pretty early on as I haven't had D since early last summer (other than for just on minimal occasions for things such as stress, eating something I shouldn't have, etc.)
I've made 2 trips by myself back to see my family in western Kansas (which is only about a 5 hour trip for me) but I did plan and take all my food with me. The second trip was much easier than the first.
And now, we've bitten the bullet and I have plane tickets for a Vegas trip with my husband in about 3 1/2 weeks. To say I'm excited is an understatement, but also have a huge anxiety. We had some free rooms to cash in on and so I'm only able to get a refrigerator (no microwave - fire hazard, I was told) in our room. So, now I have to plan around that (and I know where the Chipotle is and I can eat there and I also did a lot of research on where some other gf, df, sf places are).
One of my colleagues that teaches next door to me and eats just like I do told me she took a hot plate and a mini frying pan in her luggage. I guess that would work to heat some things up (not as easy as a microwave, but I guess you do what you have to do).
I did get my letter to travel with (my chiropractor wrote it for me), and my colleague (who also flew over spring break) gave me lots of tips. She got her expensive jar of almond butter taken away because it was over 3 ounces. I bought some of those Justin's packets to take with me.
Any other words of wisdom or tips? I'm really trying hard not to stress over this as I don't want to be sick when I go or when I get there, but this MC stuff is really crazy on the emotions. My sister-in-law told me that I wouldn't starve to death (which I know to be true, and as long as I get some protein every 4-5 hours, I'm really good).
Vegas Trip
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Vegas Trip
Jari
Diagnosed with Collagenous Colitis, June 29th, 2015
Gluten free, Dairy free, and Soy free since July 3rd, 2015
Diagnosed with Collagenous Colitis, June 29th, 2015
Gluten free, Dairy free, and Soy free since July 3rd, 2015
Jari,
Have you considered an induction cooktop? They're about the size of a hotplate, but you can do some serious cooking on them. They will boil a pot of water faster than anything you've cooked with before (unless you've used induction cooking before). The main downside is that they will not work with all pots and pans (such as aluminum or copper). For nearly all models of induction cooktops, the cooking vessel must be made of, or contain, a ferromagnetic metal such as cast iron or certain stainless steels.
The other downside is that the complaints on Amazon about not being able to closely regulate relatively low temperatures is on target. When you get down to the simmering range, IMO there are not enough choices of power or temp settings to get exactly the level you want. You can usually get close, but in my experience the options are either slightly too high or slightly too low compared with a perfect setting (such as you could get from a gas burner).
The upside is that this is a much more energy-efficient way to cook. The cooktop itself doesn't get hot — only the pot and it's contents get hot. I've used one for several years with no complaints. When a cooking job calls for more than a microwave, this is what I use. It's been years since I've turned on a regular burner to cook something. Here's an example of what I'm talking about:
http://www.amazon.com/1800-Watt-Portabl ... B0045QEPYM
If you decide to get one, it would probably be helpful to practice with it a little before taking it on a trip. It heats so much faster than conventional burners, that it's somewhat easy to overdo it and burn the food if you just turn it on high and walk away. But basically you just have to keep an eye on the pot and turn the heat down when it gets up to the temp you want. On most of these, you can either set the power level or the temp you want and it will maintain that automatically.
Enjoy your trip.
Tex
Have you considered an induction cooktop? They're about the size of a hotplate, but you can do some serious cooking on them. They will boil a pot of water faster than anything you've cooked with before (unless you've used induction cooking before). The main downside is that they will not work with all pots and pans (such as aluminum or copper). For nearly all models of induction cooktops, the cooking vessel must be made of, or contain, a ferromagnetic metal such as cast iron or certain stainless steels.
The other downside is that the complaints on Amazon about not being able to closely regulate relatively low temperatures is on target. When you get down to the simmering range, IMO there are not enough choices of power or temp settings to get exactly the level you want. You can usually get close, but in my experience the options are either slightly too high or slightly too low compared with a perfect setting (such as you could get from a gas burner).
The upside is that this is a much more energy-efficient way to cook. The cooktop itself doesn't get hot — only the pot and it's contents get hot. I've used one for several years with no complaints. When a cooking job calls for more than a microwave, this is what I use. It's been years since I've turned on a regular burner to cook something. Here's an example of what I'm talking about:
http://www.amazon.com/1800-Watt-Portabl ... B0045QEPYM
If you decide to get one, it would probably be helpful to practice with it a little before taking it on a trip. It heats so much faster than conventional burners, that it's somewhat easy to overdo it and burn the food if you just turn it on high and walk away. But basically you just have to keep an eye on the pot and turn the heat down when it gets up to the temp you want. On most of these, you can either set the power level or the temp you want and it will maintain that automatically.
Enjoy your trip.
Tex
Jari-I have been on 3 big trips involving flying since diagnosis a year ago and probably 3 car trips-with anywhere from 4-9 hrs each way. Totally get the anxiety. There has been no way to avoid eating out on these trips and I've had good experiences. Sounds like you have put your research in. I always buy safe foods if we have a kitchen or fridge for a meal or snack. It's weird but by mid trip, I always feel really good and I know its because the anxiety is gone. It's such a trigger.
I still have some bathroom issues so anxiety around that a bit which sadly, I control by limiting my eating and use an immodium if need be. Sounds like your digestive issues are much more healed than mine. I'm trying to work on this mental piece with anxiety.
You will have a great time! Let us know how it goes.
Taia
I still have some bathroom issues so anxiety around that a bit which sadly, I control by limiting my eating and use an immodium if need be. Sounds like your digestive issues are much more healed than mine. I'm trying to work on this mental piece with anxiety.
You will have a great time! Let us know how it goes.
Taia
Tex,
Thanks for the information. I will certainly look into that. As I don't really want to limit my travel over the next several years, I am sure that finding one would serve me well.
Taia,
Thanks for the encouraging words. We are all in this together, and just when you think you MIGHT have something figured out, sometimes you end up going backwards a few steps with something else. It definitely is a learning experience with a very steep learning curve. I'm really trying to work on the mental piece/anxiety also. New things always scare me to death! For someone who has always been a self starter, highly motivated, and pretty self confident, some days now don't find me that way any more. I'm working on building up the confidence piece again also. As Gabes would say.........BABY STEPS!
Thanks for the information. I will certainly look into that. As I don't really want to limit my travel over the next several years, I am sure that finding one would serve me well.
Taia,
Thanks for the encouraging words. We are all in this together, and just when you think you MIGHT have something figured out, sometimes you end up going backwards a few steps with something else. It definitely is a learning experience with a very steep learning curve. I'm really trying to work on the mental piece/anxiety also. New things always scare me to death! For someone who has always been a self starter, highly motivated, and pretty self confident, some days now don't find me that way any more. I'm working on building up the confidence piece again also. As Gabes would say.........BABY STEPS!
Jari
Diagnosed with Collagenous Colitis, June 29th, 2015
Gluten free, Dairy free, and Soy free since July 3rd, 2015
Diagnosed with Collagenous Colitis, June 29th, 2015
Gluten free, Dairy free, and Soy free since July 3rd, 2015
Hi, Jari. When we went to Disney I took foil packets of salmon & Epic bison bars. I could carry them in my pockets while we were in the parks so I always had protein along. My breakfast was hemp protein & almond milk that I took along. We flew and my husband put all of my food in a plastic container that he taped shut and had in his luggage. I bought a banana every day. We ate dinner out each evening. I also took Justin's almond butter along but the first package made my intestines dance so I didn't touch the rest. I hope you have a great time, relax & enjoy!
Marcia
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My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style. - M. Angelou
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My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style. - M. Angelou
HI Jari!
Remember....it's a big city so it has plenty of stores that you can practically walk in buy something fresh, or a safe precooked vege (with access to a microwave even - some deli's have them) and eat it on the spot. I'm sure most places can grill something safe, and bake a potato....etc. I found prepackaged avocado plain in the produce aisle and picked up some safe tortillas and some fresh sliced turkey and I was good to go one day ;-)
Don't stress this....I hope our family trip to my Nieces graduation the end of May works out well too.
I'm going thru a pollen all out emergency season...my body hates me, I hate it, I think I had a reaction to something possibly in all the Pepto Bismol tabs that I have been chewing the last 6 days (and I'm not even up tot he alloted 8 a day regimen) because the skin on my throat got little bumps all over it this morning...I'm NOT a happy camper right now.
I want this Spring to be so overwith already!!!
I sure hope you keep feeling as well as possible and that this upcoming trip can let you forget about MC for a while ;-)
Big Hugs!!
Erica
Remember....it's a big city so it has plenty of stores that you can practically walk in buy something fresh, or a safe precooked vege (with access to a microwave even - some deli's have them) and eat it on the spot. I'm sure most places can grill something safe, and bake a potato....etc. I found prepackaged avocado plain in the produce aisle and picked up some safe tortillas and some fresh sliced turkey and I was good to go one day ;-)
Don't stress this....I hope our family trip to my Nieces graduation the end of May works out well too.
I'm going thru a pollen all out emergency season...my body hates me, I hate it, I think I had a reaction to something possibly in all the Pepto Bismol tabs that I have been chewing the last 6 days (and I'm not even up tot he alloted 8 a day regimen) because the skin on my throat got little bumps all over it this morning...I'm NOT a happy camper right now.
I want this Spring to be so overwith already!!!
I sure hope you keep feeling as well as possible and that this upcoming trip can let you forget about MC for a while ;-)
Big Hugs!!
Erica
To Succeed you have to Believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a Reality - Anita Roddick
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
I got an "Instant Pot 7 in one" a while back. It is a combination rice cooker, slow cooker, pressure cooker, yogurt maker, saute, steamer and warmer. I use it a lot and people use it in campers, semi drivers, etc. It is available, on sale, for around $100 and less than that for the 6 in one. Pressure cooking always kind of scared me but it is pretty much of a safety non-issue with this. If I were traveling I would definitely bring it along ( I go south in the winter and bring it there as well) This site has a lot of information. https://www.facebook.com/groups/Instant ... y/?fref=nf
Jari,
So excited for you, but totally understand the anxiety. I was the same about confidence and was always strong in any circumstance, now I'm the total opposite. We will prevail and get back our confidence and strength!
I rode 12 or 13 hours in a car to disneyworld without eating out. I took hemp milk and the natural factors vegan vanilla protein shake. It saved me everyday at disneyworld too, along with rice cakes, nut butter, and honey. Enjoy life chocolate bars helped too. I ate turkey from the publix deli with a baked potato. You can eat more of a variety than me, you will do great! I didn't eat out one time while I was there and my gut was better than ever. Have fun and let us know how it goes!
So excited for you, but totally understand the anxiety. I was the same about confidence and was always strong in any circumstance, now I'm the total opposite. We will prevail and get back our confidence and strength!
I rode 12 or 13 hours in a car to disneyworld without eating out. I took hemp milk and the natural factors vegan vanilla protein shake. It saved me everyday at disneyworld too, along with rice cakes, nut butter, and honey. Enjoy life chocolate bars helped too. I ate turkey from the publix deli with a baked potato. You can eat more of a variety than me, you will do great! I didn't eat out one time while I was there and my gut was better than ever. Have fun and let us know how it goes!
Martha E.
Philippians 4:13
Jul 2008 took Clindamycin for a Sinus infection that forever changed my life
Dec 2014 MC Dx
Jul 15, 2015 Elimination Diet
Aug 17, 2015 Enterolab Test
Dec 2015 Reflux
Sept 2016 IC
Philippians 4:13
Jul 2008 took Clindamycin for a Sinus infection that forever changed my life
Dec 2014 MC Dx
Jul 15, 2015 Elimination Diet
Aug 17, 2015 Enterolab Test
Dec 2015 Reflux
Sept 2016 IC
Hi Jari,
You will do great on your trip! I find I do better when I am traveling than when I am at home I think because I am uber careful.
My local Target has a portable induction burner in stock at a reasonable price if you want to take a look at it.
I've never been to Vegas but I'm assuming it is not too difficult to find protein-centric restaurants.
When I travel to unfamiliar places I look up restaurants on trip advisor that are within walking distance of my hotel. Then I read the reviews. A lot of times I can get the menu on line and review it. I've found some good restaurants this way and it reduces the stress level.
Brandy
You will do great on your trip! I find I do better when I am traveling than when I am at home I think because I am uber careful.
My local Target has a portable induction burner in stock at a reasonable price if you want to take a look at it.
I've never been to Vegas but I'm assuming it is not too difficult to find protein-centric restaurants.
When I travel to unfamiliar places I look up restaurants on trip advisor that are within walking distance of my hotel. Then I read the reviews. A lot of times I can get the menu on line and review it. I've found some good restaurants this way and it reduces the stress level.
Brandy