A Bit Nervous

rena · Sep 29th, 2004, 20:57

Hi
I am a little nervous going to India ..I fly out next week and the one thing i am worried about is getting dehli belly ..what happens if you are unwell on abus journey and you need to go to the bathroom..Will they stop for you..

mercedes10 · Sep 29th, 2004, 21:33

Hi Rena,

First of all if you take basic precautions about what you eat/drink then you might not get Delhi Belly at all. Before I went to India I thought getting sick was all just part of the experience, but I got through 3 weeks with no illness at all - so you might be lucky!! If not, and you have a long journey to undertake, you can take Immodium (or similar) which essentially blocks you up and stops you needing to run to the loo! It doesn't solve the actual problem though!

You might want to ask your Doctor to prescribe you Ciprofloxacin (a kind of travellers antibiotic) to take with you - so you will have the appropriate medication to take if you need it.

My understanding is that you can buy the same stuff in India without prescription and for much cheaper, but it may give you peace of mind to know you have it with you and don't need to go looking for a pharmacist etc.

As for whether or not buses will stop for you - I really have no idea!! I'd assume they'd rather stop than have an 'accident' on the bus though?!

cyberhippie · Sep 29th, 2004, 21:41

Yeah not everybody gets sick so try not to worry until it actually happens.
I'm not sure what your travel plans are but if you are part of a bus tour and are forced to travel take immodium, this keeps you off the toilet for a few hours and is ideal if you need to travel though I'm sure an oganised tour will stop if asked in fact they now have onboard toilets in some of the newer Volvo tour buses!!
If you don't have a set itinery then traveling isn't a nessecity, kick back for a day or two until the symptoms pass!!
By the way using immodium is an temporary measure for emergencies don't use it too often!!!
Try to eat food that is hot, eat at the correct times so as to avoid food that may have been lying around in the heat for too long and only drink bottled water!!
Enjoy yourself it's a wonderful country!!

Happy Traveling

Alan D · Sep 29th, 2004, 23:40

The wife and I were faced with this problem recently when we picked up a bug in Delhi. We had already booked tickets on an overnight bus to Manali - a 500 K journey. What to do? Cancel the ticket and wait until we were in a better state to travel, or reach for the immodium? We decided to go for the immodium and had no problems on the way.

Once there, in the more pleasant surroundings of the Kullu Valley, we both went on a course of ciprofloxacin which cured the problem.

I generally try to avoid taking medicines but sometimes you just have to do it.

Shakyamuni · Sep 30th, 2004, 00:09

Hi Rena,

Well, I'm just back from India (yesterday) - this was my second trip there. Firstly, I adore curries and have been eating them and cooking them for 20 years! I can handle the fiercest of curries but there was me last week in McLeodganj (just above Dharamsala) and I had a severe dose of the 'you-know-whats!' Obviously food poisoning.

I stuck with the old maxim, 'If you can't peel, don't eat it!' I ate nothing cold, e.g. salads, fruits, yogurts, etc. I stuck with cooked foods but I still had the 'runs' - big time!

I bought some immodium from a local doctor and and some awful tasting stuff that you mix with a litre of water. It took another 24 hours before I was back to normal. So, the moral? Take diahorrea tablets with you. If you are travelling by rail, then no problem - the toilet is basically an open port on the floor. If you are travelling 'on the road' then you'll have to bite the bullet and take a walk off the roadside and do it. Obviously, you should pack some toilet paper as a matter of course.

I think we've all suffered from Delhi Belly - enjoy your trip!!

Shakyamuni!!

Jorge Reverter · Sep 30th, 2004, 00:23

I've been many times in India, sometimes with my wife and/or my son, with friends etc., we have never been sick. I personnally enjoy a lot the food I can buy in every corner.

Of course I always travel with all the usual medecines, just for in case; and take the necessary precautions with the water, the ice cubs, etc.

Rena, don't think about this Delhi Belly, otherwise....

The world is full up of hypochondriacs and obviously India is not the best country for them.

wonderwomanusa · Sep 30th, 2004, 12:32

>>You might want to ask your Doctor to prescribe you Ciprofloxacin (a kind of travellers antibiotic) to take with you - so you will have the appropriate medication to take if you need it.<<

One of the side effects of Cipro is diarrhea -- I took it for an infection and spent 'way too much time having the runs.... so you might not want to take it for general stomach upset. If you are sick and running a fever, it might be appropriate to take Cipro.

If you're having a problem, Immodium or Pepto Bismol (tablets) are very good "corks."

But you ARE going to be very careful to only drink bottled or purified water and to watch what you eat, right?

MonsterMunch · Sep 30th, 2004, 18:05

I've never been to India, but am just assuming that during my 3-4 months there I will get Delhi Belly at some point. I figure I'll just have to deal with it as and when it happens: Immodium for train/bus journeys, otherwise the best thing for a tummy bug is to "get it all out".

Apparently the Electrolyte rehydration sachets are good for replacing lost fluids so I'll give them a go as well.

Heard a horrific story (although sounds like rubbish to me): A girl was finishing her round-the-world trip in India and wanted to lose some weight. She'd not had the pleasure of Delhi Belly and thought that licking the pavement would give her a bug and help her lose weight. She apparently died. (Doubt it's true - surely no one is that stupid)

lobo · Sep 30th, 2004, 21:13

Licking the pavement???
I would say its an urban myth but you never know!!!

TracyB · Oct 1st, 2004, 12:19

I really enjoyed reading this post... It's 2 weeks before we leave and I am just looking for all the advice I can get!! I am going to stick some toilet paper in my back pack right now!! I have also packed immodium and Ciprofloxacin, rolaids, tums, pepto bismol, tylenol.. I think I am set!

rohan5577 · Oct 2nd, 2004, 07:10

Tracy,

You don't need to carry all that stuff! Toilet paper--eh! WE manufacture Tilier paper in India and export it as well

TracyB · Oct 2nd, 2004, 07:18

rohan5577, I always take those things with me when I travel, and they have always proved to be quite handy..I know lot's of people that bring there own toilet paper, what is the big deal?? (may need it before I have the chance to get some)..

rohan5577 · Oct 2nd, 2004, 07:45

Tracy,

Well that's perfectly fine! And yes you are right, you might need some beofre you have bought any! It's just interesting reading some of these posts, because I myself live in Canada and wonder what was better--here or India--my home!

DianeN. · Oct 2nd, 2004, 08:37

Whatever you do, don't lick the pavement........

Sep 29th, 2004, 20:57	#1
rena Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: barbados Posts: 6	A Bit Nervous Hi I am a little nervous going to India ..I fly out next week and the one thing i am worried about is getting dehli belly ..what happens if you are unwell on abus journey and you need to go to the bathroom..Will they stop for you..

Sep 29th, 2004, 21:41	#3
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,009	Yeah not everybody gets sick so try not to worry until it actually happens. I'm not sure what your travel plans are but if you are part of a bus tour and are forced to travel take immodium, this keeps you off the toilet for a few hours and is ideal if you need to travel though I'm sure an oganised tour will stop if asked in fact they now have onboard toilets in some of the newer Volvo tour buses!! If you don't have a set itinery then traveling isn't a nessecity, kick back for a day or two until the symptoms pass!! By the way using immodium is an temporary measure for emergencies don't use it too often!!! Try to eat food that is hot, eat at the correct times so as to avoid food that may have been lying around in the heat for too long and only drink bottled water!! Enjoy yourself it's a wonderful country!! Happy Traveling Last edited by cyberhippie : Sep 30th, 2004 at 14:29.

Oct 2nd, 2004, 07:10	#11
rohan5577 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Dubai--for now Posts: 267	medicines?? Tracy, You don't need to carry all that stuff! Toilet paper--eh! WE manufacture Tilier paper in India and export it as well

Oct 2nd, 2004, 07:45	#13
rohan5577 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Dubai--for now Posts: 267	thats fine Tracy, Well that's perfectly fine! And yes you are right, you might need some beofre you have bought any! It's just interesting reading some of these posts, because I myself live in Canada and wonder what was better--here or India--my home!

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Sep 29th, 2004, 21:33	#2
mercedes10 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 556	Hi Rena, First of all if you take basic precautions about what you eat/drink then you might not get Delhi Belly at all. Before I went to India I thought getting sick was all just part of the experience, but I got through 3 weeks with no illness at all - so you might be lucky!! If not, and you have a long journey to undertake, you can take Immodium (or similar) which essentially blocks you up and stops you needing to run to the loo! It doesn't solve the actual problem though! You might want to ask your Doctor to prescribe you Ciprofloxacin (a kind of travellers antibiotic) to take with you - so you will have the appropriate medication to take if you need it. My understanding is that you can buy the same stuff in India without prescription and for much cheaper, but it may give you peace of mind to know you have it with you and don't need to go looking for a pharmacist etc. As for whether or not buses will stop for you - I really have no idea!! I'd assume they'd rather stop than have an 'accident' on the bus though?!

Sep 29th, 2004, 23:40	#4
Alan D Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Southampton UK Posts: 1,866	The wife and I were faced with this problem recently when we picked up a bug in Delhi. We had already booked tickets on an overnight bus to Manali - a 500 K journey. What to do? Cancel the ticket and wait until we were in a better state to travel, or reach for the immodium? We decided to go for the immodium and had no problems on the way. Once there, in the more pleasant surroundings of the Kullu Valley, we both went on a course of ciprofloxacin which cured the problem. I generally try to avoid taking medicines but sometimes you just have to do it.

Sep 30th, 2004, 00:09	#5
Shakyamuni Caught up in cyclic existence Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Scotland Posts: 68	Hi Rena, Well, I'm just back from India (yesterday) - this was my second trip there. Firstly, I adore curries and have been eating them and cooking them for 20 years! I can handle the fiercest of curries but there was me last week in McLeodganj (just above Dharamsala) and I had a severe dose of the 'you-know-whats!' Obviously food poisoning. I stuck with the old maxim, 'If you can't peel, don't eat it!' I ate nothing cold, e.g. salads, fruits, yogurts, etc. I stuck with cooked foods but I still had the 'runs' - big time! I bought some immodium from a local doctor and and some awful tasting stuff that you mix with a litre of water. It took another 24 hours before I was back to normal. So, the moral? Take diahorrea tablets with you. If you are travelling by rail, then no problem - the toilet is basically an open port on the floor. If you are travelling 'on the road' then you'll have to bite the bullet and take a walk off the roadside and do it. Obviously, you should pack some toilet paper as a matter of course. I think we've all suffered from Delhi Belly - enjoy your trip!! Shakyamuni!!

Sep 30th, 2004, 00:23	#6
Jorge Reverter Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Murcia - Spain Posts: 1,463	I've been many times in India, sometimes with my wife and/or my son, with friends etc., we have never been sick. I personnally enjoy a lot the food I can buy in every corner. Of course I always travel with all the usual medecines, just for in case; and take the necessary precautions with the water, the ice cubs, etc. Rena, don't think about this Delhi Belly, otherwise.... The world is full up of hypochondriacs and obviously India is not the best country for them.

Sep 30th, 2004, 12:32	#7
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 4,261	>>You might want to ask your Doctor to prescribe you Ciprofloxacin (a kind of travellers antibiotic) to take with you - so you will have the appropriate medication to take if you need it.<< One of the side effects of Cipro is diarrhea -- I took it for an infection and spent 'way too much time having the runs.... so you might not want to take it for general stomach upset. If you are sick and running a fever, it might be appropriate to take Cipro. If you're having a problem, Immodium or Pepto Bismol (tablets) are very good "corks." But you ARE going to be very careful to only drink bottled or purified water and to watch what you eat, right?

Sep 30th, 2004, 18:05	#8
MonsterMunch Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: UK Posts: 20	I've never been to India, but am just assuming that during my 3-4 months there I will get Delhi Belly at some point. I figure I'll just have to deal with it as and when it happens: Immodium for train/bus journeys, otherwise the best thing for a tummy bug is to "get it all out". Apparently the Electrolyte rehydration sachets are good for replacing lost fluids so I'll give them a go as well. Heard a horrific story (although sounds like rubbish to me): A girl was finishing her round-the-world trip in India and wanted to lose some weight. She'd not had the pleasure of Delhi Belly and thought that licking the pavement would give her a bug and help her lose weight. She apparently died. (Doubt it's true - surely no one is that stupid)

Sep 30th, 2004, 21:13	#9
lobo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: london Posts: 431	Licking the pavement??? I would say its an urban myth but you never know!!!

Oct 1st, 2004, 12:19	#10
TracyB Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 353	I really enjoyed reading this post... It's 2 weeks before we leave and I am just looking for all the advice I can get!! I am going to stick some toilet paper in my back pack right now!! I have also packed immodium and Ciprofloxacin, rolaids, tums, pepto bismol, tylenol.. I think I am set!

Oct 2nd, 2004, 07:18	#12
TracyB Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 353	rohan5577, I always take those things with me when I travel, and they have always proved to be quite handy..I know lot's of people that bring there own toilet paper, what is the big deal?? (may need it before I have the chance to get some)..

Oct 2nd, 2004, 08:37	#14
DianeN. Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Japan Posts: 255	Whatever you do, don't lick the pavement........

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