We did the RS Best of Turkey tour in 2023 and somewhere on this website someone suggested a medication to bring to prevent travelers diarrhea. I think it was a probiotic type tablet that I bought on-line. We bought it, brought it and used it selectively before meals that we thought might be a tad risky—fresh fruits and veggies, a veal sausage we bought at a market, etc.. We ate quite well and stayed wonderfully healthy for that entire trip. We are now heading to Bulgaria and I’d love to pack that same medication. Recommendations anyone?
Posted by
11159 posts
Our MD recommended we take over the counter PeptoBismol tablets three to four times a day while traveling to more exotic locations. It worked on our trip to Egypt and Jordan. Our tour mates suffered with diarrhea but not us! The doctor uses it himself when traveling to those places.
Posted by
New Orleans
1206 posts
Like Suki, I also took (chewed up) two Pepto Bismal tablets a few minutes before almost every meal during a two week trip to Egypt in 2022. This has been my practice for years and has, I think, helped prevent issues when in Mexico and in Turkey. During the Egypt trip I also took a Travelan tablet every morning before breakfast. The latter was, I think, suggested on this forum and I ordered that OTC medication on the mega-website Axxxzon. The box says "high in the antibodies that can help support and maintain your gastrointestinal and digestive function and health." I managed to stay well although another member of my small tour group, who ate the same foods that I did - more or less? - did develop, let us say, digestive issues. I also assiduously avoided all raw veggies and fruits unless it was something that I could peel myself, although I did eat the salads served on our dahabiya boat, where I was assured that all fruits and vegs were washed in purified water.
Posted by
237 posts
I read this on Sarah Murdoch's blog awhile back.
The regimen starts before you travel to risky areas for intestinal troubles.
Posted by
OP
Rochester NY
36 posts
Travelan! That’s it, that’s what we brought to Turkey. Thank you so much!
Posted by
25 posts
Just got back for Istanbul. I did take 2 pepto Bismal with each meal for a few days and then decided I didn't need it. ( it can cause constipation) No problems. I did drink bottled water but did shower and brush my teath with hotel water.
Posted by
Ohio
2130 posts
We were in Turkey last month. We enjoyed several meals (at local restaurants and a dinner cruise), no problems at all.