Asia
Sat, January 09, 2010 6:18 PM
My boyfriend and I have been talking about taking a trip to Asia. I was wondering if anyone has been there and if there were any GI issues when it came to the food or water. The reason I ask is because my boyfriend's brother went (who does not have any GI conditions) and he had diarrhea the whole time he was there. This makes me nervous as I have UC and don't want to aggravate the condition. Has anyone had any experiences in Asia and if so does anyone have any suggestions/ideas for me?
Thanks
Joined Mar 18, 2009
Sat, July 03, 2010 9:34 PM
Reply posted for magonza8279.
I've been to Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam multiple times, and I've never had a problem. I'm 37, have had Crohn's since I was 9, and have had surgery twice. Currently I take Imuran and probiotics, and am still symptomatic periodically.
I visit my doctor before to get a prescription for Cipro and Metronidazole in case I get an infection; carry a LOT of Immodium, GasX, and Peptobismol chewable tablets; always have a large pack of either full-size tissues or a roll of toilet paper in my bag; and carry a self-filtering water bottle (~$50) that filters tap or even stream water as you suck it through the straw. This ensures I can always take medicine when I need it, and use it when brushing my teeth.
Rules that apply to regular travelers apply for us, too:
- Avoid salads except at restaurants catering to tourists (they're washed in tap water)
- Avoid eating the skin of fruits (e.g., apples, pears)
- Avoid drinks with ice and slushy fruit drinks unless the ice is in cubes or tubes (i.e. machine-made, versus chopped off a block of ice)
- Only drink bottled water, or stick to carbonated, bottled drinks
- When buying hot street food, eat only freshly-cooked food (e.g., in Thailand, meat-on-a-stick vendors will pile up cooked skewers for the lunch rush - ask them to cook a fresh skewer for you). Mostly they're cooking on an open flame grill, and I've never gotten sick from eating these yummy treats!
- Wash your hands before eating.
Make sure vaccines you take are the NON-LIVE versions and if nothing else get Hep-A, which can come from contaminated food.
Once there, stop by a pharmacy for Buscopan... not in the US probably due to a drug company blockade, it's been around 50 years as an anti-cramp medication and it is THE only OTC medicine that stops my Crohn's pain. It's OTC everywhere and is a great 'safety net' if you have trouble. (OTC strength available online from Canada, US$50 per 100 pills.)
Joined Jul 3, 2010
Mon, May 10, 2010 12:00 AM
Reply posted for magonza8279.
It also depends on where in Asia you are going. We went to Japan last year and everything was fantastic. The food was fine and the water was good too (although most people drink green tea). You do have to get used to the squat and hover toilets if you are away from major cities but I saw that as a challenge to conquer.
Joined May 25, 2008
Wed, April 28, 2010 3:42 AM
Reply posted for magonza8279.
I'm actually in Hong Kong now. (I live in New York.) I come here and to Guangzhou every year for Trade Shows. China is a great place! This is my 2nd trip here since having my colectomy surgery 3 years ago. I agree with the other comment to watch the food you eat and only drink bottled water. I try to pass on ice cubes since I don't know where they're made. The only advice I can add is to be sure and brush your teeth with bottled water and keep your mouth closed when you're in the shower. It's so easy to do these things without thinking.
Hope you enjoy your trip!
creativesortJoined Apr 28, 2010
Thu, January 28, 2010 1:00 AM
Reply posted for huskerbumps.
Thanks for the info I will take that into account 
Joined Mar 18, 2009
Wed, January 13, 2010 11:25 PM
Reply posted for magonza8279.
I have been to Asia ten times in the last five years, spending an amount of time there in excess of a year accumulative. I always drink only bottled water and use ice made only from purified water. This has served me well as I have suffered no increase in the amount of suffering from Crohn's. Care must also be taken to eat only well cooked and safely prepared foods. Stay away from the street vendors (meat on a stick).
Joined Jan 13, 2010