b_veggie,I have both IBD and IBS and I travel extensively for pleasure and work. That said, when writing a book 2 years ago about Tibet I was faced with the question of whether or not to travel to New Delhi and Dharamsala, India. I went back and forth for months - I didn't want to give into my diseases but I also didn't want to end up with worse illness and an Indian hospital. Yes, they have well educated doctors, but their facilities are not those of the U.S. or other better developed countries. After looking into all the information I could and talking to my doctors I had to come to the very hard decision that India was not a country I could safely travel to. I didn't go. And I've not regretted that decision for one day. I cannot tell you not to go, nor to go and you'll be fine. I will tell you, though, that if you do go, go as prepared as possible. Talk to your doctors, tell them where you'll be traveling and ask them to write you a presciption for Metronidazol and Cipro and any other antibiotics you may need quickly to deal with infections you may get. Get these prescriptions filled before you go. And take Imodium and Pepto Bismol with you. I can't say for certain if they will have this available where you'll be but if you need them you don't want to have to go out and find them. As for water and food - this is going to be your biggest trial. Water in India is NOT to be drunk by foreigners. Your safest bet is to get only bottled water with carbonation. This is the only safe water to drink as the carbonation tells you it has been treated. Flat water (without bubbles), even bottled flat water almost assuredly has come from a tap. Even if the bottle is sealed you can bet the bottle was filled from a tap. The same goes for other non-carbonated drinks like water, juice, tea etc. My husband, who did go on the trip to India, was told by the locals that milk is augmented with water to make it go farther, same with juice, etc. The ONLY SAFE THINGS TO DRINK IN INDIA ARE THOSE THAT ARE CARBONATED - water with gas, soda, beer, etc.You should go to the internet or to REI - an outdoors store - and get yourself a water filter. There are filters that work on a glass-by-glass basis, and those that allow you to filter a liter or gallon at a time. Get one, learn how to use it, and use it. As for the food, much of it will be spicy, so if that's not good on your gut you're going to have to eat things like rice, yogurt, dahl, etc. Take with you what you can. I hope it all works out for you and you have a magnificent time. But, at the first sign of trouble talk to someone, make them aware of your situation, and do not let yourself get into a crisis before you ask for help. Even the healthies of people who have not gut problems in the America get them in places like India and it can be difficult to get under control. Be very prepared before you depart.Peace,Elizabeth
