I'm a Frequent Traveler With Crohn's Disease—Here Are My Packing List Non-Negotiables

Like many people with Crohn’s, my joints often swell during a flare-up. Of course, long-haul flights, where I’m sitting long enough to watch four feature films including Titanic, are the worst. Before I discovered these game-changers, my feet and ankles would sometimes balloon up to the point where they would barely fit in my shoes upon landing. These socks offer enough compression that the swelling is kept at bay, but not so much that I have red marks on my legs when I take them off.

Although they’re designed for postpartum, these disposable panties are worth stocking up on if you’re worried about accidents. I had one in the Denver Airport when I was prepping for a colonoscopy—and it was mortifying. Had I been wearing these, I could have easily disposed of them (they’re just 66 cents each) and put on a fresh pair. Unlike the disposable underwear you get at a spa before a massage or spray tan, these neutralize odors and have built-in leak-guard technology. They’re not exactly sexy, but they’re far better than the alternative of ruining a pair of pants and having to tie your jacket around your waist. So many women love them that they have nearly 30,000 five-star ratings and more than 10,000 boxes were sold last month alone.

Obviously, I don’t want to wear adult diapers 24/7, so I also pack these moisture-wicking panties. I love them because they dry super fast, which is handy when I do laundry in the hotel sink. And since they’re a mid-rise bikini fit with four-way stretch, they provide plenty of coverage which is greatly appreciated when I’m bloated. But perhaps the best part about these panties is the fact they’re practically invisible—I can wear them with my favorite travel leggings without worrying about camel toe or panty lines.

This super-soft, USB-powered heating pad is a must for anyone who suffers from cramps, whether they are Crohn’s-induced or menstrual cycle–related. A foldable 24" x 9", it easily fits in my carry-on, and boasts a pocket I can slip my power bank into, which is great because it does have to be plugged in to work. You can also plug it into USB ports on planes, and even your computer; however, power banks or wall outlets charge it the fastest. I mostly wear this pad around my waist, but thanks to the adjustable strap, you can wear it over your shoulder, neck, back—pretty much anywhere you have discomfort. It has three different heat settings and automatically shuts off after two hours.

I'm not one for yo-yo diets, but my weight fluctuates like gas prices. For that reason, I love these looser-fitting joggers that have an adjustable drawstring. When I’m going through a flare-up and losing weight, I can tighten them, and if my symptoms are bloating and gas, I can let them out to give me more breathing room. I don’t know how Vuori does it, but the scientists behind its DreamKnit fabric deserve the Nobel Peace Prize for fashion—the brushed jersey fabric makes them feel buttery soft.

I first discovered shower steamers while staying at a five-star hotel in Paris that had them as an amenity. They’re a total game-changer on travel days when I’m feeling overwhelmed. Since stress can trigger Crohn’s flare-ups, I do everything I can to minimize it. As with bath bombs, these tablets rely on aromatherapy to relax you. But unlike their chemical-laden competitors, they are made with peppermint, eucalyptus, and menthol essential oils. I love that they’re individually wrapped, so I can pack the exact number I’ll need, and that they work instantly, transforming any shower into a spa-like environment.

Not only can fresh fruits and vegetables be hard to find when you’re traveling, but they’re also hard to digest if you have Crohn’s disease. To ensure I get all of my vitamins and minerals, I travel with these packs of Athletic Greens that I simply mix with cold water. At nearly $5 a pop, they’re pricey, but they still cost less than a smoothie in most places, and have way more nutrients (that because they’re in powder form, are easily absorbed). I also appreciate that there are probiotics in the mix. According to The University of California, Berkeley’s University Health Services, “There is good evidence that probiotics help in the treatment of most causes of diarrhea as well as the prevention of antibiotic associated diarrhea and traveler’s diarrhea.”