HolidayArse

[HolidayArse]

Firstly- I've been on MN for 100 years or so, I'm not the poo troll (but then I would say that...)

I'm looking for advice from like-boweled people please? I'm off on hols next week, and wondering what I can do/prep/take to mitigate Holiday Arse?

For those that don't know what I'm talking about, its the stupid, annoying phenomena that means my perfectly functional butt takes one look down an unfamiliar pan and goes 'NOPE'.

To emphasise. it's not a choice- I DGAF about being alluring for my husband, any mystique within our marriage fecked off a long time ago! I eat well, lots of water, fruit, and veg, but the whole digestive shebang just slows down and I spend a lot of precious holiday time feeling bloated, sluggish and crap

Anyone sympathise, and have any ideas that can help? I fly in a few days, so could start something now if it would make a difference?

Thank you!

Movement stimulates... Ahem... Movement. So make sure you do plenty of walking about on the plane. Being sat for 4+ hours makes everything seize up, joint, bowels...

I have the opposite problem once I'm there though.

I ended up raiding the hotel buffet for dried apricots on day 3 and that really helped, I was already drinking loads of water.

Oh yes, I sympathise. Chia seeds don’t always work for me. Psyllium husk in a glass of water - though revolting - does the job.

If you do get constipated when travelling the best thing is to take Movicol/Laxido (they are the same) for a couple of days before and while on holiday as it is a slow worker but definitely the safest option and just holds some water in the stool. You can put it up or down as needed. Lactulose is very sickly sweet and often causes bloating. Fibre is good if it works. Bisacodyl and senna are stimulant laxatives and work by irritating the lining of the colon and are a bit all or nothing!

A couple of pints of Guinness usually does the trick!

Wow! DD and I have this! Didn’t realise it was a general thing. We both poo for England as soon as we get home!

The main difference for me is breakfast - normally muesli at home but continental breakfast is more cloggy I feel. Also fruit - I don’t eat as much fruit on holiday. But I think it’s also the water difference and you can’t do much about that unfortunately.

I am in the movicol/laxido camp too, with lots more fluids than usual and making sure you get some exercise each day. You can get them over the counter so maybe try a low dose before you go to see how your body reacts? Have a lovely holiday and good luck!

Yoga spine twist gets the bowel moving! Lay on your back, bring your knees up to your chest and roll clockwise to massage your sacrum. Then gently take your knees to one side resting on the floor, put your arms out to either side and wait about 20 seconds, then swap the knees to the other side. Then do a yogi squat to encourage the poo down!

Take a box of constipation relief and a box of diarrhoea relief, enjoy your hols!

I am so grateful to read this! I thought I was the only one!!! Lots of good things to try.

It's called shy bowel

I have read that dried raisins help

Omg, I’ve finally found my people 👋.

So many holidays ruined by this. DH (twice a day man) boggles at the length of time and amount of food it takes before anything at all makes an appearance, despite water, fruit, exercise, etc. The Sacred Passing of the First Holiday Poo is traditionally celebrated with a high five and a victory lap of the hotel room.

And the second I step back through my own front door I almost shit myself inside out, my bum is that relieved and delighted to be within reach of a familiar pan. Why???!!!

Definitely here to take notes.

I always have a glass of prune / orange juice before eating breakfast. Seems to kick-start the system. If you like olives eat as many of them as you can.

I trust that we will get an update on your ahem movements throughout the week. Stool induction review.

I travel with laxative of choice and time taking it so I am as sure as I can be that it will work at a time which is convenient eg still in the cottage and not when on a remote beach.

I

Thank you all so much for your tips and good wishes, I am frantically taking notes. Dare I hope that finally, FINALLY this will be the holiday when I poo freely

And <fist bump> to all my fellow Holiday Arses/ Shy Bummers, nice to know I'm not alone!

Two magnesium supplements and two senokot every night before bed. Poop every morning. I previously didn’t poop for 7 days on holiday once, it was not fun!!

I'll never forget going to Madeira on holiday for the Millenium and didn't go for 2 weeks !!! Opened my front door back home and had to leg it up the stairs to the bathroom. I was in there for an hour !!! 😂😂😂 yet 20 years on and I'm ok now.

2 x magnesium citrate before bed

I take co codamol a lot! The codeine makes you constipated- 2 Actimel pots a day is my holy grail.

I don't get on well with travel either, it just closes shut. Bran and prune/juice just give me wind. Unproductive but very smelly wind. I start each day as i would at home, with a tall glass of water followed by a black coffee. At home that's all that's needed. On holiday I take senekot and snack on pineapple, apples and dried apricots. Usually returns to normal in a couple of days.

Greedily scoff fresh figs, they're so delicious, keep stuffing your face. If you have a fig tree loaded with ripe figs in your accommodation so much the better...

PS don't do this, moderate your intake to one a day unless you enjoy sitting in the bathroom day and night

Activia yoghurt. I pack them in my bag have one every other day (or you'd have to pack loads for a fortnight) and that keeps on top of it.

Syrup of figs. It's only a small bottle from chemist.

For me it's reliably one good teaspoon - and 12 hours later almost to the minute .... delivery 😃So i'd take it at 7ish in eve.

For yourself you might need half a teaspoon more or less. Experiment before you go away (and when you're near a loo for a while).

An I have the opposite problem. I arrive in a hotel room anywhere, and my Arsenal immediately thinks “must test out the facilities…”