Severe Travel Anxiety!

[lynnelise]

I often travel and so far haven't had too many glutenings but I have a weird sort of situation coming up. A relative is going through a very rough time, previous to this she booked a two day trip to visit a friend over Memorial Day. Basically the issues she has been going through have left her pretty devastated. Everyone agrees that this trip will be a huge help to her but she is already so nervous she doesn't want to fly alone. The friend she is visiting says it is fine with her if I come along and stay at her house. Other than general nervousness about flying I'm ok with that part because it's only an hour so I don't have to worry about meals or whatever but it's the actual two days with the friend that are causing me stress.

All my other vacations I make a point of driving, choosing hotels, and picking restaurants. I always have a safe plan as to what to eat and where bathrooms are plus by driving I'm in control of when and where we go. This trip everything is pre-planned. A cookout the night of arrival. Staying with the friend and her family. The next day a beach day and dinner at her in-laws. I'm planning on bringing what gluten free food I can and honestly spending two days eating Larabars if that is what it takes. I just can't get over the fear of somehow getting sick and having stomach issues with no control over the bathroom situation. She has three kids so gluten is likely to be everywhere. I already feel like I'm kind of intruding, but she won't hear of me getting a hotel and honestly I don't have a lot of cash for that after booking the flight. I don't even know what I'm expecting to get from you guys I just needed to vent because I'm so worried!

[jenngolightly]

I wouldn't go. If everyone agrees that it would be a huge help, then it sounds like she has a large support network. Can't anyone else go? If you have the money for a plane ticket and no one else can afford to go - buy them the plane ticket. Your health is as important as your friend's need for a flight-buddy.

It's unfortunate that you don't have a little money to go and have a vacation with yourself. Fly there with your friend, book a couple nights in a hotel, eat at some safe restaurants, and see the town.

Just my opinion.

What can you do to prepare for a gluten-filled house? What can you bring to make it safe? Pack utensils and food?

[lynnelise]

I've already booked the flight. She's just been so miserable and I know this trip will cheer her up. I didn't really get the anxiety after the booking. Sometimes I forget I have restrictions now! Sadly I'm the only person in a position to go. Her mom is watching her kids, her closest friends all have little kids they can't leave, another friend has an autistic son she needs to be with, and the rest can't get off work or actually live in the area she is visiting.

I'm definately going to bring utinsels, bring what food I can, and tons of stomach meds. I'm considering taking Immodium as a precaution. I know I probably shouldn't take it unless I need it though...

[ravenwoodglass]

Would it help her if you took her to the airport and picked her up instead of doing the whole trip with her? It sounds like she will have a lot of support once she gets there. If she is going through a lot right now perhaps her doctor could prescribe something for her to take before the flight and with you to drive her that might ease her mind. Other than that you could look into hotels in the area that might have a discount rate and stay and prepare your food there.

If you feel you have to do the trip and stay with them then do bring lots of larabars, perhaps a loaf of bread and some nut butter, Dinty Moore Beef stew if you like it is available in just about every store. Bring a small pot to cook it in and some plastic utensils and paper plates to use. The stew, pnut butter and some tangerines got me through a trip to my daughters wedding safely.

[ravenwoodglass]

I've already booked the flight. She's just been so miserable and I know this trip will cheer her up. I didn't really get the anxiety after the booking. Sometimes I forget I have restrictions now! Sadly I'm the only person in a position to go. Her mom is watching her kids, her closest friends all have little kids they can't leave, another friend has an autistic son she needs to be with, and the rest can't get off work or actually live in the area she is visiting.

I'm definately going to bring utinsels, bring what food I can, and tons of stomach meds. I'm considering taking Immodium as a precaution. I know I probably shouldn't take it unless I need it though...

We were posting at the same time. It sounds like there is no way to get around going.

If you are going to take the immodium as a precaution do only take half a dose. You do not want to end up binding yourself up and ending up in severe pain from constipation. If you wash your hands throughly and keep them away from your face that should keep you from getting CC'd by contact. You may want to avoid the kitchen area if they are doing a lot of baking. Take what food you can but also see if someone can take you to the store for some fresh fruit or something along those lines.

If you are careful hopefully you will be fine.

[Marilyn R]

I often travel and so far haven't had too many glutenings but I have a weird sort of situation coming up. A relative is going through a very rough time, previous to this she booked a two day trip to visit a friend over Memorial Day. Basically the issues she has been going through have left her pretty devastated. Everyone agrees that this trip will be a huge help to her but she is already so nervous she doesn't want to fly alone. The friend she is visiting says it is fine with her if I come along and stay at her house. Other than general nervousness about flying I'm ok with that part because it's only an hour so I don't have to worry about meals or whatever but it's the actual two days with the friend that are causing me stress.

All my other vacations I make a point of driving, choosing hotels, and picking restaurants. I always have a safe plan as to what to eat and where bathrooms are plus by driving I'm in control of when and where we go. This trip everything is pre-planned. A cookout the night of arrival. Staying with the friend and her family. The next day a beach day and dinner at her in-laws. I'm planning on bringing what gluten free food I can and honestly spending two days eating Larabars if that is what it takes. I just can't get over the fear of somehow getting sick and having stomach issues with no control over the bathroom situation. She has three kids so gluten is likely to be everywhere. I already feel like I'm kind of intruding, but she won't hear of me getting a hotel and honestly I don't have a lot of cash for that after booking the flight. I don't even know what I'm expecting to get from you guys I just needed to vent because I'm so worried!

I hope this will help you. Seven months after I went gluten-free I had to fly to a small town in the Midwest on a moment's notice due to a family emergency. I packed a ton of Lara Bars and nuts and thankfully my brother stopped at a grocery store for me on the way to his home from the airport.

I bought safe tuna, peanut butter, sweet potatoes, canned spinach, fresh fruit, ground sirloin and a few other things.

I used their George Foreman grill to cook burgers (after cleaning it, even though my sister-in-law told me it had never had anything with gluten in it. I used her SS pans for other cooking. And I can't believe it, but I went to 3 restaurants without any bad effects. My family chose the restaurants.

I wanted to go back for Memorial Day, but I decided not to because I was too anxious about the "what if's". I wish you the best, I know the severe travel anxiety feeling.

[Takala]

I would not go unless I had plans set up for me to be able to handle all my own food needs.

I would suggest you rent a car at the airport. No, I insist that you rent a car at the destination airport. And then you go to the store you've already researched on google, once you get there, and you pick up what ever else food you need. You will not be able to carry certain items with moisture unless they are in very very small individual servings, because everybody knows that more than a tablespoon of peanut butter is a deadly weapon of mass destruction, or "utensils" unless they are a plastic spork with your carry on luggage, (CONTACT THE AIRLINES NOW to see what they don't permit ) and do not trust the airline on a holiday weekend to get your checked baggage to the same place at the same time you arrive.

People are going to be pushing the wrong time of food on you all weekend, and then act puzzled that you are not going to be able to eat any of it. If you have your own food to cook, pre wrapped in a foil packet, it can just then be protected somewhat. If I have paper towels and access to a microwave, then there can be a baked potato, etc. Heck, if I had a chinette sturdy cardboard paper bowl and a package of my pre made flour mix, I could do my own hamburger bun. Of course, I have no idea how much powdered teff and amaranth would freak out the airline gate security people, so maybe that's not such a great idea.

I don't care at this point what other people think of me, and what sort of "friend" I am or am not, if I go down because I was pretending I was normal and let somebody else cross contaminate me, then I screw up my immediate family.

[anabananakins]

I often travel and so far haven't had too many glutenings but I have a weird sort of situation coming up. A relative is going through a very rough time, previous to this she booked a two day trip to visit a friend over Memorial Day. Basically the issues she has been going through have left her pretty devastated. Everyone agrees that this trip will be a huge help to her but she is already so nervous she doesn't want to fly alone. The friend she is visiting says it is fine with her if I come along and stay at her house. Other than general nervousness about flying I'm ok with that part because it's only an hour so I don't have to worry about meals or whatever but it's the actual two days with the friend that are causing me stress.

All my other vacations I make a point of driving, choosing hotels, and picking restaurants. I always have a safe plan as to what to eat and where bathrooms are plus by driving I'm in control of when and where we go. This trip everything is pre-planned. A cookout the night of arrival. Staying with the friend and her family. The next day a beach day and dinner at her in-laws. I'm planning on bringing what gluten free food I can and honestly spending two days eating Larabars if that is what it takes. I just can't get over the fear of somehow getting sick and having stomach issues with no control over the bathroom situation. She has three kids so gluten is likely to be everywhere. I already feel like I'm kind of intruding, but she won't hear of me getting a hotel and honestly I don't have a lot of cash for that after booking the flight. I don't even know what I'm expecting to get from you guys I just needed to vent because I'm so worried!

I think you're a great friend. And I think you'll be fine. Just be upfront with them that you won't eat anything they prepare. There are lots of snacks you can take. You can microwave potatoes and have them with a can of tuna, or take some veges to cut up for a salad and have them with tuna... if that stuff is too annoying to take then a person can go days eating Chex cereal, I speak from experience ;-) I spent a month in the states visiting friends and or staying in hotels and I lived on chipotle, Chex cereal, Trader Joes snickerdoodles, cut up carrots with cream cheese (for protein) and fruit. I took my own little chopping board and plastic bowls. Eat before those pre-organised meals and then just nurse a drink all night. And wash your hands a lot!

[modiddly16]

I agree. I think you're a great friend and I also think you'll be fine. Pack some snacks! Stop at the grocery store. You can avoid gluten on trips very easily if you eat your own food..I understand you might feel like you are intruding but I bet once you get there, you won't give that a second thought!

[lynnelise]

Just wanted to check back in and thank everyone for their advice. I survived the trip thank goodness!!! The first night was bad as they were having a cookout. I checked all sauces and marinades and thought we were good to go...until they poured a beer on the grill right before they threw the food on it!!! I guess this is common but I've never seen or heard of it. I was appalled. Luckily they were really nice when I explained that I could no longer eat the food. After they got done cooking they took all the foil off the grill, scrubbed it, put new foil down and grilled me a fresh piece of chicken, a hamburger, and an ear of corn. No illness. The next day I ate my packed rice cakes and peanut butter for breakfast. Due to a poor nights sleep and my sister-in-law having a hard time in general she wanted a hotel which I gladly booked for us! I found a diner next door to eat at with a steak and blue cheese salad and no reaction. Breakfast was at the hotel, fruit and hardboiled eggs. Then it was packed snacks until time to fly home. While I did survive this trip in the future I will for sure have my own hotel and a rental car!!!

[Cara in Boston]

Glad it all worked out.

We are visiting family for a week this summer - our first trip (longer than a weekend) since we were diagnosed. I am planning on having our favorite foods delivered to our destination in advance (amazon? not sure) so we don't have to pack so much. For the car ride (and any emergencies) we will have a bunch of the Go Picnic meals handy.