Guest Writer - Beth

Gap Year Travel with IBD

So anyone else dreamed of that elusive gap year adventure abroad?

I use the word ‘elusive’ because more than just perhaps money or commitment issues, for an IBD sufferer a trip of lifetime will seem even more elusive, or perhaps even impossible.

I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2004 and felt although not a ‘death sentence’ that it was the end of any adventure or dreams I wanted to achieve. However, over the years I have improved and actually gone into remission. I managed 3 years of university, which although there were some tough times, I’m so proud I did that. Once I graduated and realised that dream of a degree, I wondered if that gap year dream would be achievable too.

My boyfriend quit his job and so did I. With savings and inheritance money we went ahead and booked some flights to Bangkok, and planned a trip around South East Asia for 3 months. After the initial rush of excitement suddenly the fear snuck in:

      What if I have a bad flare up?

                  What if I can’t get necessary drugs?

                              What if I get food poisoning?

                                              What if, what if, what if??!

After several panicked and tearful conversations with family and friends they reassured me I could do this and not to let the fear of the condition flaring to stop me. I researched the area thoroughly with didn’t help my fear as it seemed certain countries like Laos and Cambodia have very limited medical facilities. Suddenly I was wondering why had I chosen hot, exotic and poor countries to explore?

Over the next few months of planning I collected all my medicines, with extra (over 800 tablets!)  And researched my travel insurance thoroughly, insuring they covered my Crohn’s condition. I packed lots of over the counter medicine like re-hydration sachets, diarrhoea relief tablets etc. until it seemed like my bag was bursting. I got a letter from my doctor to ensure I could show border controls what all this medication was for. I was terrified of them confiscating it or something.

So finally the day came when we left. As we boarded the first 7 hour flight my boyfriend squeezed my hand and reminded me I’m not alone in this and he’d look after me. Truth is I was so terrified I don’t think I could have boarded without him and his reassurance.

Those 3 months came and went so fast I almost don’t believe it happened.  Throughout my time there my condition varied. Amazingly enough, after a few weeks of immersing myself into oriental/Asian cuisine I felt a noticeable difference. No bloating. No gas. No diarrhoea. It felt so good to feel comfortable after a meal. I ate pretty much only noodle, rice and stir fry dishes. The portions were small but surprisingly filling. I had very little stomach aches. I’d have the occasional day where it was bad but looking back now that seemed to be when we’d had western food. This could be a coincidence of course but I think I’ve established some food triggers now that I never had before.

Because I was having such an incredible time doing exciting things each day I hadn’t initially noticed the difference.  But my boyfriend remarked on how active and healthy I seemed. It was true, I felt less lethargic and lighter. The humidity and travelling took an effect, with 52 mosquito bites on one leg and cuts and bruises, I may not have looked the healthiest but I felt a real difference. What an absolute surprise.

However the worst did happen. I got food poisoning. I guess in some ways it was inevitable in humid countries that don’t understand the concept of health & safety. We did try and choose our food places carefully but that was almost impossible. I got food poisoning in a tourist café that was on a pre-arranged tour. And yet I’d previously been eating street food with no problem. So it’s a hard thing to judge.

Anyway, we got a 6 hour coach journey across the Cambodian border and gradually I started to have unbearable but unfamiliar stomach pain. I felt faint and so nauseous. By the time we arrived at our hostel I collapsed on the bed in agony. Tears streamed down my face because I was so frightened what this meant. I understood that because of my Crohn’s, a normal 48 hour food bug could turn into something much much worse. Worst still, we’d just left the capital of Vietnam where the medical facilities were good, into the poorest country we were vising. I couldn’t believe the odds. I lay on the bed clutching my stomach with my head over the bin bracing myself to throw up. I was sweating and uncomfortable.

The temperature was now somewhere near 47 degrees with no air con and the knowledge I’m in one of the poorest countries in Asia. In that moment I would have done anything to have been home.  Thankfully my boyfriend went on a hunt for medicine and after an hour or so he returned with some medicine he’d managed to get from a pharmacist. There was hardly any English on the packet but my boyfriend seemed convinced the man understood my problem (even if it was acted out to him as he had barely any English skills).  Over the next 24 hours the pain stayed the same and I just tried to keep sleeping. Eventually, with the aid of the medicine the symptoms seemed to ease off. By the third day I felt well enough to move to different accommodation. We spent the day taking it easy. The next day it seemed to have passed and I cannot describe the relief.

Although more nervous after this incident we continued to enjoy our last month back in Thailand and thankfully without any more stomach problems.

Since returning home I discovered I’d lost a stone in weight but I looked good for it. And of course once back into bad habits here like snacking, chocolate etc I’ve slowly put the weight back on. Actually since being back in the UK, the food tastes so fatty and rich to my new palette and I realised new reactions to wheat. So in fact it was good to discover these.

In conclusion that trip has completely changed my life in so many ways. It’s changed my confidence, my awareness, my diet, and much more. Besides being the best thing I’ve ever done it also signifies so much. I did it and I will always be proud that I took the plunge. If I can do something as exciting, challenging and different as this trip, I can do anything. This disease does not have to stop me doing anything.

I would advise several things if you consider taking a trip:

•    Research your insurance thoroughly and actually speak to your provider and discuss your concerns, insuring you are covered for your illness. Take all details with you.
•    Take some over the counter medicines (like re-hydration tablets and vitamins) to help keep your health up.
•     Bring not only the required amount of medication but EXTRA.
•     Carry a letter explaining all your required medicine and why you have it.
•     Do some research of medical facilities available in the areas you’re visiting before going (just in case) and check the prices.

-   Take extra money if medical assistance is required. Although you’ll get the money back from your insurers, you have to pay yourself initially. So make sure you have some available.

-    I would personally travel with someone and make sure they know the details of your condition. But this is just a personal preference.

Some of these things I didn’t need in the end, but it will vary massively from country to country and with circumstance changes. So I would recommend having these things in place just in case.

Otherwise my parting message is plan, prepare and take the leap of faith. You’ll always regret what you didn’t do more than what you did. If you are nervous, or still going through rough uncertain patches of the disease, perhaps start by visiting more western countries, or for short trips and see how they go for you.  Good luck and safe travelling!

IBD and Insurance

If you have Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis (collectively known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease or IBD) you may have difficulty finding insurance cover. Having a chronic (ongoing) condition such as IBD can mean that the insurance you are offered is more expensive. This article looks at the different types of insurance, and how to go about finding the best option for you.

Do I have to tell the insurance company about my IBD?

Not all insurance companies are well informed about IBD, and they may not ask about your condition when you first contact them. It may not occur to you to mention your IBD to the insurance company when you are arranging your insurance. However, if you do not mention it, you may find that your insurance is invalid, or that you have problems should you need to make a claim. 

The cover and benefits provided will not be the same from all the providers. You should be aware of this and ‘read the small print’ to be sure that the policy covers your IBD and any other needs or requirements you may have.

What will the insurance company ask me?

Most insurance companies will probably ask you questions about your medical condition in general. They may then ask you more specific questions about your IBD, such as whether you have been admitted into hospital within the last two years, whether you have had surgery, or whether you are on medication. It is possible that you may need to get a medical report from your doctor.

It may be more difficult or expensive to find insurance if you have had surgery or been admitted into hospital within the last few years. This may also be the case if you are waiting for the results of investigations. However, routine visits to consultants to monitor your condition are generally disregarded by many  companies.

Holiday and Travel Insurance

If you are going on holiday in the UK, you  may wish to arrange for travel insurance, in case for example, a flare up prevents you from travelling or means you have to cut short your holiday. Although medical  treatment should not be a problem for a UK resident holidaying in this country, cancelling accommodation and transport at short notice could mean a financial loss. 


UK travellers in Europe can apply for a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which may cover some of their treatment. However, this may not cover all the costs you might incur. The NHS recommends that everyone has full travel insurance as well. More details are available on the NHS website

Some countries outside Europe, for example Australia, have reciprocal health agreements with the UK. These agreements can cover the cost of urgent or immediate medical treatment. However, the range of treatments may be more restricted than in the NHS, and the agreement will not cover the cost of helping you return to the UK. This may mean that you wish to have a valid travel insurance policy.

Healthcare in countries without an agreement with the UK can be extremely expensive. An example is the USA. Many people feel that this makes full insurance essential. You may wish to phone several different insurance companies in order to get the best priced insurance.


Free insurance provided by a tour operator, your credit card or bank is usually unlikely to cover ongoing conditions. This will be explained in the terms and conditions of the policy. However, the insurers will sometimes extend the cover to include ongoing conditions for a modest additional cost, so it is well worth exploring this possibility.

If you are going on holiday with a group of people, you may wish to consider all using the same insurance company. If there is a problem it may be easier to change arrangements if only one company is involved. If you use different companies and then have a problem and have to cancel or change something, you may find that some people are covered while others are not.

Many insurance companies will expect you to confirm with your doctor that you are fit to travel. If your doctor advises against it (or probably would if you asked them) it could invalidate your insurance. Additional medical conditions, your age and your destination may also have an impact on your application and the cost of your insurance.

Health Insurance/Critical Illness Cover

This type of insurance usually only covers acute problems. Most companies offering private medical insurance will automatically exclude any claims relating to a pre-existing condition. This would usually include IBD and also certain IBD related conditions such as arthritis. 

However, there may be a few companies who are more flexible and will look at each case on an individual basis. It may be worth ringing some of the companies on the list on our full IBD and Insurance information leaflet, to see if they can help you.

Life Assurance

There are several different types of life cover, such as mortgage protection, term assurance and flexible whole life plans, and you may find it helpful to discuss your requirements with an IFA (independent financial adviser) to be sure you get the right type of policy for your needs. Life Assurance companies tend to look at applications on an individual basis. You may find that the price of your policy is related to the severity of your disease, and that you are more likely to get insurance if your IBD is well controlled.


Income Protection

Although it is possible to arrange income protection to cover unemployment due to redundancy, liquidation or bankruptcy, any sickness or disability cover usually excludes any pre-existing conditions such as IBD.

Further Information 

Various sites on the web have useful information about different types of insurance which can be accessed without taking out a policy with the company. These include, The British Insurers Brokers Association: www.biba.org.uk


Although the internet is a valuable source of information, it is often more effective to talk to an independent financial adviser or to phone the individual insurance companies to actually arrange your insurance cover. Talking to a ‘real person’ helps the insurers to see what you need, and give you the best policy.


If you have any further queries please call the Crohn's and Colitis UK Information line on 0845 130 2233. The line is open Monday to Friday from 10am – 1pm (excluding Bank Holidays). There is an answer phone service outside of these hours. 

For more information see our IBD and Insurance information leaflet.