Parents Coming To Visit - Worried, Please Help

[Overcomer]

My parents are coming to visit my children and I while my husband is out of town. We're planning to go to the beach for a few days which also means 5 hours in the car, all 5 of us. Anyway, last Saturday (a week ago) my dad and mom went to NY City. The following day my dad had a bunch of digestive issues. He said it was his IBS acting up since he ate late, had been in a bus, etc. etc. He gets this OFTEN when he travels and I've never been concerned. He gets d* and a bad stomach ache that last for about a day. He still eats and acts normal but is uncomfortable. The day he was dealing with this he mowed the lawn, went for a walk, etc. but just felt gross. Anyway, fast forward to today. I called them to talk about their visit (they leave in the morning and arrive Thursday) and my dad said that my mom wasn't feeling well and was in the bathroom giving herself a enema (he said it in a joking way). I inquired about why and he said that her stomach had been 'off' for a few days and she didn't want to deal with that while traveling (she has IBS as well). Then she got in the phone, totally acting normal and said that she had just been eating too much cheese and junk, not enough fiber and was constipated so she'd been uncomfortable. She said she wasn't nauseated, just had bad stomach cramps because she felt like she wasn't getting everything out. She had had oatmeal for breakfast and a big salad earlier. I am worried that they actually had a sv* and are going to bring it down to my children. I REALLY don't want to deal with a sv* on the way or even at the beach. What do you think? Please give an honest opinion. Thanks so much.

[Overcomer]

Wanted to add that I am somewhat concerned because my mother said that she had gone 'some' but not enough. So, is that real constipation???? She said that she's not at all n* just bad stomach cramps. Again, she's eating and sounded totally normal, had been packing all day, etc. but the fact that she actually went and got an enema concerns me. If she had a sv* would she have d* or v*? Obviously she has neither.

[Charzy14]

Sounds like your mother is just extremely constipated. Nothing that you stated leads me to believe she has a sv. People only use enemas to clean themselves out if they can't go to the bathroom or are getting a procedure done at the doctor. I am constipated most days and know what those awful cramps and bloating feels like. Your mom is fine... just constipated. Enjoy their visit.

[MichelleS]

Your mom I believe is constipated. I also have IBS and I go back and forth between constipation and d. Sometimes you do just get a littke out. I know gross Lol..and that build up is what gives you the stomach cramps.
If your dad was also diagnosed with IBS the stress of travel can upset the gut. I know it used to with my dad some. Work used to get to him also. I think yiu will be just fine. Now enjoy your time together!

[Courtney23]

Agree with the first 2 responses. Given that both of your parents have IBS and given that both are pretty open with their digestive struggles, it sounds like an IBS flare-up, nothing more. Neither one of them sound to be particularly worried or concerned, so you shouldn't be either! Enjoy your time with them!

[kimin661]

Your mom I believe is constipated. I also have IBS and I go back and forth between constipation and d. Sometimes you do just get a littke out. I know gross Lol..and that build up is what gives you the stomach cramps.
If your dad was also diagnosed with IBS the stress of travel can upset the gut. I know it used to with my dad some. Work used to get to him also. I think yiu will be just fine. Now enjoy your time together!

Yeah, definitely sounds like IBS symptoms. I go between d* and constipation as well. If I even eat a tiny bit of dairy I get horrendous stomach cramps and d*. I don't think you have anything to worry about at all.

[Overcomer]

I normally wouldn't be so freaked out, it's just that she's been symptomatic for days. They decided to extend their drive an extra day. Again, we chatted on the phone today while she was eating a sandwich and then she said she was just really tired so they were going to make it a 3 day drive rather than 2. Now, she'd woken up at 4am to do the drive today which was why she was tired, but in my head I am adding tired + stomach cramps + my dad having stomach issues a week before = sv*. WHY DO WE DO THIS???? Is it normal to have DAYS of stomach cramps with IBS???

[Charzy14]

I have IBS as well, and yes... for some, it is normal to have days of stomach cramps. IBS symptoms come in "bouts" or "flare-ups" which can last days. I have IBS with constipation and once in a while I may get cramping and d*. Your mom's tiredness may or may not have anything to do with the IBS (IBS can cause tiredness), but regardless of what it is, you are safe. I am certain she doesn't have stomach virus.