Going on a Cruise with GP

Well, for the past week, my husband surprised me with a cruise to the Carribean and Bahamas for our ten year wedding anniversary. I have to admit, I was a bit apprehensive. I had been really ill with a gastroparesis attack or flare for a while now. However, I wanted to get away. I needed to rest and the ocean sounded wonderful. Swimming and a hot tub sounded wonderful. I really wanted to make the best of it and crossed my fingers that I would have some good days. I didn't want to disappoint my husband or make him feel bad. It was really sweet of him to take me on a cruise that I've never done before, plus go to islands I wouldn't have thought to visit. So, I packed and was feeling excited. I had hope and that's important.

I was scared that I would be sick on the cruise in an RV sized bathroom:

The corner of the room in the far right was the restroom.


I have to admit, though, the cruise was relaxing. I think the ocean helped a lot, believe it or not. One of the few things that doesn't make me sick is the ocean. I don't get sea sick. However, the cafe we ate (or me, barely ate at) was buffet style with a lot of people. It made me sad to look at all of the things I couldn't have. Also, people seemed to bathe in perfume or cologne. It made me gag a few times in the elevator going up to the cafe. When I got there, all I could think was:

I did make the mistake of trying to eat and be normal. I went horseback riding in the ocean, which was amazing. Then, I noticed my belly swelling up like I was nine months pregnant. I felt so self conscious and unbelievably fat. I'm heavy already but not usually that heavy, which is weird to me because I almost never eat. The people at the horse farm weighed me in front of everyone because they said the horses couldn't take someone over two hundred and thirty pounds! I've never weighed anything like that, ever. I just felt sad and depressed but riding in the ocean with the horse made it better.

I was a poster child for this picture.



When I do eat, I get cramps (really bad ones), and then I start vomiting. The last two days of the trip, I spent in and out of the bathroom and was so amazingly ill. I started crying at one point because I felt like I couldn't go on. My throat and belly hurt so much, even my knees hurt from bending over to get sick.

I got to celebrate my tenth anniversary without a flare. Thankfully, it waited until the next day. I had so much fun on my cruise. I got to sit on the balcony of my room, listen to the ocean and read. If you're thinking of going on a cruise, I'd recommend it. I have a blog article about traveling with GP that may help you if you think you wouldn't be able to travel:

Previous blog article: http://www.emilysstomach.com/2013/07/information-about-gastroparesis-and.html

I was scared but everything turned out all right. I say if you want to travel, you should go for it. Don't let your GP stop you. I didn't.

A Suggestion for Constipation Issues Due to GP

This was suggested by an anonymous source on GASTROPARESIS and I thought it was intriguing enough to share. I would love for people to comment on this entry to let me know if it worked for them.

If you're like me, you can't really go to the bathroom because nothing really stays down. However, sometimes, food does empty and get through that leads to miserable pain because it doesn't move. Here is a tip to make your life easier.

NOTE: Be sure that if you do this, you stay close to a bathroom to avoid emergencies. Also, remember NO TWO GPers are a like, this may work for some while others may not be able to handle the acid from the lemon.


Anonymous writes,

"I wanted to write this privately because I don't want everyone else on my feed reading anything about my bathroom habits, but I just had to tell other GPers something that has made a huge huge HUGE difference for me.

I know not everyone with GP has this problem, but for those that can't go to the bathroom regularly (I can only go a couple times a week) and thus ends up with the extreme abdominal pain... they should try lemon water. Seriously. I have a well so I use tap water, but I just pour a mason jar full of water and squeeze in a whole lemon. Only a few sips in and you'll need to run to the bathroom, even after not having been able to go for days. I keep it with me all day, taking a few sips at a time. The pain... my god it was instantly alleviated. No laxatives, no medications, no anything that hurt my stomach more. Just water and lemon I would suggest using organic lemons because they contain more nutrients, but I'm sure it will work either way. I'm so incredibly happy, I might even go take the dog for a walk in the sun in a little bit.

Also, just wanted to mention that I've tried this a few times now and it's worked EVERY time. Such a huge relief. Although I will mention... do this only if you're going to be near a bathroom for a while!

Hope this helps someone like it has for me."

Please share your experiences if you try this. I'm curious to see if it helps!