9 Products Everyone with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Absolutely Needs

Even the little things can make a big difference when you’re living with IBD.

Living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be tough — not only because of the pain, fatigue, and digestive complications but also because it can mean you need to be prepared for things like incontinence, the sudden need for a public toilet, or even hospital trips.

IBD, which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, can be seriously difficult to live with. But by being prepared, you can make life with IBD just a teeny bit easier. 

Here are 9 products that are absolutely essential when you have IBD.

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1. Toilet spray

If you live with IBD, you may have very acidic or strong-smelling stool due to the inflammation in your bowel. It can feel embarrassing when you’re visiting a friend or when using a public toilet, but toilet spray can help with this.

It’s fairly cheap, and a simple spray into the toilet bowl before using it can leave the bathroom smelling like roses or citrus afterward. Therefore, you’ll have no worries as you leave it!

Shop for toilet spray online.

2. A pill organizer

You might have to take medication to maintain IBD remission or to manage severe inflammation. While there are other treatments, such as infusions, injections, and even surgery (in severe cases), you might take quite a few pills.

It can be quite confusing to keep up with the timing for all the medication — so having an organizer to keep pills ready for the morning, afternoon, and evening can be incredibly helpful!

Shop for pill organizers online.

3. Comfy pajamas

Comfy pajamas are an absolute must when you have IBD.

There will be days when you’re too ill or too fatigued to do anything, and therefore lounging around the house in clothes that are comfy on your stomach — which may become severely bloated due to the disease — is a must.

Also, you may end up spending some time in the hospital, and hospital gowns aren’t the best. So even keeping a set of pajamas in a “go bag” for unexpected visits can be a saving grace. (More on “go bags” below!)

4. A donut cushion

No, this isn’t a cushion that looks like a giant sprinkled donut. Sorry. But it is shaped like one!

The donut cushion can be helpful when you’re experiencing pain in your butt or if you get hemorrhoids, which can also be very common.

This type of cushion also can aid your recovery if you have postsurgery wounds.

Shop for donut cushions online.

5. Electrolyte drinks

Having IBD can make you incredibly dehydrated due to diarrhea and how frequently you use the toilet.

Drinks filled with electrolytes — such as Lucozade and Gatorade — can be very helpful for replenishing the electrolytes lost through stool.

6. Flushable wipes

Going to the toilet so much can leave you feeling incredibly sore, and sometimes toilet paper is just too rough on your skin. And it doesn’t help with issues such as fissures (small cuts around your anus).

Flushable wipes are a must in these instances. They’re easier on your skin and make it easier and quicker to clean up after using the toilet — and there’s no roughness on skin that needs time to heal.

Shop for flushable wipes online.

7. Public toilet apps

These apps are a must for anyone living with IBD who needs to use the toilet multiple times per day.

This experience can be debilitating and can make you feel scared to leave your house. You might worry that you’ll have an accident due to not knowing where the nearest toilet is. But these apps can save the day by helping you track down the nearest public toilets along your journey.

This can ease the anxiety of leaving the house, which can often be difficult to do. The peace of mind can make all the difference.

8. A ready-to-go toiletry bag

When you have IBD, it’s essential to keep toiletry bags that are ready for you to take to the hospital or in the car.

Filling a bag with wipes and whatever other toiletry products you may need can help you feel more at ease. You won’t have to worry about finding the nearest shop so you can get those items.

This type of bag can also be helpful if you have a stoma bag and need to carry supplies around with you.

9. A bathroom request card

Many Crohn’s and colitis organizations offer “Can’t Wait Cards” or something similar — a card you can show in public places so that businesses will allow you to use their staff bathrooms.

It can be a challenge to go out if you don’t know where the nearest toilet is or if you suddenly need to go when you didn’t expect it. Showing one of these cards can be vital for getting to a toilet in time.

Of course, every case of IBD is different, and there may be other products that suit other people’s needs. But these nine common products can be a great place to start.