Flying

Balkie · Post by **Balkie** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 5:29 pm

3 or 4 times a year I have to fly to China for work. The flight is a grueling 16 hour ordeal with 2-4 extra hours on either end of airports, buses, and taxis. October will be the first time I have to make the flight while also dealing with my lymphocytic colitis concerns. I think with some research I can figure out how I can eat and survive for two weeks in this land of plentiful rice, it is the flight that has me worried. I don't look forward to bolting down the airplane aisle 3 or 4 times during the flight to the bathroom or the possibility of a cramp attack. Has anyone else had to deal with this problem? Someone in my family suggested fasting and an enema the day before the flight, which sounds drastic, but then again I'll try anything.

JLH · Post by **JLH** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 6:12 pm

It's pretty drastic all right. Ask your doctor. What about Pepto? Don't get dehydrated.

www.triumphdining.com site probably has a card for Chinese food. (I hope that's the right link.)

The Gluten Free Bible has an appendix with a Chinese Gluten Intolerance Card in Chinese.

I presume it says the same thing as the English card:

I do not speak your language.
I have celiac disease and can not tolerate gluten.
If I eat any food, product, chemical additive, or stabilizer containing even a trace of wheat, rye, oats, barley, triticale, malt, or any derivatives of those grains, I will become ill.

There's more.............

barbaranoela · Post by **barbaranoela** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 8:01 pm

Hi Balkie---I would think that U could ask for the seat near the *bowl*---and not to be gross just Xplain to the airline your issues and that it is IMPERATIVE U be seated there~~~~~

Nice to meet U by the way----and I surely dont envy that trip---good luck with it all--

Barbara

JLH · Post by **JLH** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 8:25 pm

You could also get a "Potty Card" from the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation.

Are we having fun, yet?

Post by **tex** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 8:37 pm

Balkie,

Barbara and Joan are on the right track with those suggestions, but much better than that, Peggy had her doctor write a letter, and she sends a copy to the airline before the flight, so that she always gets "prime" seating. Here's a thread where she posts about it, for example:

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... ight=plane

Tex

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:34 pm

You might also want to take Immodium for the duration of the flight.

Gloria

Balkie · Post by **Balkie** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 5:48 am

Thanks for the great suggestions. Everyone is so helpful and friendly. I'll definatley see if I can get my doctor to send a letter to the airlines and get some cards printed in Japanese (connecting flight), Cantonese, and Mandarin to help explain my situation.

Thanks again!

Post by **tex** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 7:35 am

I would suggest that you ask your doctor to send it to you - that way you can continue to use it whenever you fly, for as many years as is necessary, just by making copies of it and using the copies each time.

Tex

angy · Post by **angy** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 1:14 pm

Hi Balkie........

I agree with tex. It would be less confrontational and less embarrassing if you were to present them with a letter beforehand...And also take your D meds just in case.

Tessa · Post by **Tessa** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:19 am

You could try their Embassy or Consulate. Maybe they can be of any help providing information on gluten free products, places, ways to ask for it...

Just an idea.
Take care
Love
Tessa