Wow, lots of helpful posts throughout the UK and Ireland-specific topics. However, I seem to have passed over any info on remedies/methods folks have tried, with success, to reduce jet lag symptoms, traveler's diarrhea, jittery stomach, etc. I also desperately need tips from anyone who has trouble with vertigo (I get sick on elevators!), or ears that are extremely sensitive/won't "pop" during altitude changes. This trip is SO important to me: not only is it a belated honeymoon gift from my husband, but it's a trip I've been wanting to take since I saw photos of Ireland as a little girl. I really, really don't want to be sick. Any suggestions? Thank you

i have a friend whose ears don't pop easily on the plane and they use "afrin" a nasal decongestent spray for your nose. i guess it helps relieve the pressure in their ears as well. i always take a product called "airborne" from trader joe's to keep from catching any other pasengers cold on the plane. and there is some homeopathic jet lag thing, but i only experience that after return flight to U.S. so i don't take anything.
as to your sensitive tummy my advice would be to eat gentle foods on trip over. avoid coffee and other acidic things. also had a DR. recommend taking two chewable pepto bismal tabs while in mexico as a precaution. i'd say discuss these issues with your doctor and get his/her advice.
good luck and have a great time!

Well regarding jet lag there are tons of different views on that subject - and you could probably do a search on it as I know it's been discussed here. Probably the most common advice (and this is what I do) is to try to get at least a couple of hours sleep on the plane (assuming it's an overnight transatlantic flight) and then when you get there try to stay up all day. If you must nap, keep it to only an hour or so. You'll be tired by evening but if you go to bed at a reasonable time (maybe 9 or 10pm local time), sleep all night and then you'll be fine. I never drink any alcohol on the plane, and don't take any sleep aids either. As soon as they serve dinner set your watch to the destination time.

As far as your other concerns - bring along some over the counter meds for intestinal problems, headaches, etc. The food and water in the UK and Ireland are not that different from the US. If you really suffer from vertigo ask a doctor to prescribe something. Have you flown before?

One other suggestion - take echinecia for a few days before your trip, and during it. It's an herbal product available in the vitamin section of grocery and drug stores. It boosts your immune system. Not good to take on a regular basis but for a couple of weeks before and during a trip it can help you fight off any germs you might encounter (like on the airplane, etc). I'm generally not a believer in herbal products but I take it when ever I've been expposed to colds, etc, and on trips and have had good luck.

Thank you for the advice. I am grateful for it. To isabel: I've flown quite a few times before (within the continental US), with the same miserable results. The last doctor I saw diagnosed motion sickness, but I disagreed. In any event, I will try what you've suggested, and cross my fingers

I returned from a 3 week European trip with my husband's cold. I believe he caught it on the flight over and then proceeded to give it to me! I was miserable for the last week. I'd try a few preventative measures: wipe down the chair arms and the lap tray of your flight seat with one of those antibiotic toilettes; use that waterless hand sanitizer stuff before eating; take Afrin along because they don't have anything that works as well; be aware that Kleenx are hard to come by. I resorted to taking a roll of toilet paper from one hotel to keep in the car!
Good luck...

This is quite a constellation of symptoms! You might consider seeing an ENT to see if you have a middle ear problem - associated with vertigo.

As to diarrhea and jittery stomach when traveling domestic or to Ireland -this could be psychological - no offense - do you have a fear of flying? We had wonderful fresh and delicious food in Ireland..no problems with the water.

I have heard of a product for relieving ear pressure called "Earplanes" designed by the House Ear Institute in LA. You can buy them in drugstores. I had this problem but only when flying while having a cold. My doctor recommended using an OTC decongestant nasal spray, such as Afrin (but only for the flights as these things cause rebound stuffiness when used regularly)

There is alot of advise on overcoming jetlag which you'll find if you do a search on that word - but in summary, avoid coffee and alcohol on the flight, drink lots of water, get up and walk the aisles every so often. When you arrive overseas, go to bed early the first night -say 8:00 pm. Some people get a prescription for Ambien from their doctor to help them sleep on the flight.

I see people have given advice on how to avoid catching cold on flights, though this was apparently not on your list of concerns.

To the extent that you are stressing over the trip, I'd say you should get some photos of those beautiful greens hills and put on some lovely Celtic music & visualize yourself there. When you first arrive, visit some local pubs and chat with the people. The Irish have to the the friendliest I've met anywhere and their accents positively charm me. While my husband drinks Guinness, but I just have a glass of Merlot, then off to bed!

I do hope your trip is lovely.

You won't die from jetlag...I promise. The more you stress the worse it is. Get a decongestant/Nasal spray and a sleeping pill from your Doctor.

I suffer from vertigo every few months walking down the street (very annoying as the wobbly feet can make people think you have had a drink). Vertigo will not make you sick on a plane to my knowledge.

As for stomach upset...you are not going to India the food is fine here, seriously.

The trip will be easier than you think. It sounds like the idea of a long trip outside the country is making you nervous. Don't worry.

I too get sick on elevators. When we fly, I wear a patch behind my ear (scopalomine?). It makes me feel weird the instant I put it on, but it's far better than the awful distress of airsickness. (If you've never had it, you can't imagine it.) I take a decongestant when we get settled on the plane, and have also used Afrin-type of sprays, but usually the decongestant is enough. Someone suggested drinking regular Coke on the flight to settle the stomach, and that works for me. As far as sleeping, I get a couple of cat naps but that's about it. We usually get some coffee in the airport and hit the road. Early to bed the first night, usually around 8, and we are up and raring to go the next morning. (I seem to suffer worse jet-lag from the return trip.)

I have asthma and when getting a cold or resp infections it can become much worse. I got this advice from my Dr. take the flu shot, helped the most of all advice since I travel most in Fall thru spring, as said use Afrin nasal spray 30 minutes before take off and 30 mins. before landing..don't get a generic, Afrin is truly best, use the ear planes, drink lots of water, wash, wash, wash your hands. Also you could try
over the counter motion sickness pill..I think Bonine is the best. Eat light, no caffeine, alcohol or spices within a day or two of your flight. I used to get sick everytime I flew but not so the last couple of years. I was very sick with asthma this winter but not during my trip in Novemeber, thank goodness. I understand your worry. It sounds as if you could use a motion sickness pill since you get in sick even in elevators, but remember you must take it before you take off, they don't help once you start to feel nauseated. I am a nurse but a psychiatric nurse so this is purely travel advice. For troubles while you travel carry pepsid ac or zantac for your stomach and Immodium for severe diarhhea.

Try Bach's "Rescue Remedy" although I feel it is the alcohol that works rather than the herbal/floral infusions!

Or see your doctor and take some valium to completely relax you.

For a few weeks before we leave, our family always eats a cup of yogurt (with active cultures) every day. My parents take Acidophilus. Apparently, both of these put 'good' bacteria into your body.

Since starting this, we don't get sick on our travels - even to Central America.

Hi pooka,

Good advice above.

Here's my 2 cts.

Many people chew gum on takeoff and landing.

Decongestants (suphedrine) is good for unclogging your ears.

Acidophilus capsuls (not tablets) help keep your GI tract calm.

Try to relax...everything will be fine! I suffer from motion sickness, so right before takeoff I take a Dramamine. It usually knocks me out pretty quickly, and I'm able to get some sleep on the plane. When you get to Ireland, try to plan a few things for the day of arrival that will hopefully keep you awake! If you have serious flight problems, your doctor should be able to prescribe something that can help. My father-in-law has a hard time flying ("white knuckle flyer&quot and gets a prescription refilled everytime he has to fly overseas for business.

If you are concerned about getting sick in Ireland, I suggest you take some various medicines with you, such as Pepto-Bismal, some cold remedies, Tylenol, and things of that sort. However, you will be able to find most things over there in the event something does happen. My husband got sick in Munich on the second day of our trip. We were able to get some terrific medicine for him, and the pharmacist was extremely helpful. Plus going into an "apotheke" (I think thats how its spelled) in Munich was an exciting adventure in itself!

I know your anxious about your trip. I too got jittery stomach the day before our trip to Austria and Italy, and just about made myself sick. The best thing I can suggest is to relax and get some rest.

Good luck!
Tracy

There is a product called earplanes which is like plastic earplugs and helps equalize pressure. I used to get earaches often when flying . No longer. They are available in the pharmacy near eardrops.

Have a great trip.

Staying hydrated, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol helps me minimize jet lag.

In addition to or instead of the Afrin, consider Tavist-D or some similar decongestant. A friend uses it for SCUBA diving -- same principle it helps ear-popping in pressure changes.

To help keep your digestive system calm, drink bottled water. It's not that the water in Ireland is bad; it's just different. I follow the same routine when I travel from the East Coast to the mid-West or West.
For the flight, I find that Dramamine -- the old fashioned kind; no the no-drowse formula -- makes me drowsy and relaxed. By the time I get across the pond; I'm reasonably ready to enjoy my vacation.

I don't usually have too much trouble with ears popping on take-off/landing - chewing gum normally works for me.

But my cousin is very sensative to it and he swears by ear plugs. He puts them in his ears before the plane takes off and leaves them in the entire flight until he lands. He says it keeps the pressure levels in the ears from going wacky.