Traveling with Fibro

Hi Faith Always:

I am going to be travelling also but to Costa Rica.

I will take my travel cushion with me on the plane and I have a pillow that I just love that helps me to sleep. I use it at home and when travelling. It is not quite as big as a regular pillow. It is made for people who have neck problems and TMJ. I can role it up and it has a satin bag.

You have to plan your medications to get them ready in advance. Do make sure that you take extra just in case you are delayed anywhere. It is hard in many places in the world, and expensive, to even find supplements. I find getting ready for a trip is half the battle. My Husband is wonderful at putting the clothes in the suitcase. I try to only take what I need. I am in Canada.

I put my prescription medications in a clear plastic bag and carry it in my purse. I was told once that our customs does not have to allow supplements through. I used to carry those on also. Now I pack them in with the luggage in clear bags. I do keep them in the bottles that they come in. I sometimes have to buy a supply that comes in a smaller bottle to not take up so much space. I do prepare a few days of everything in the little pill boxes and keep that in my purse. I haven't had a problem with it.

I saw in Chronic Pain a post about taking pain meds. Some people think you can take personal pain meds anywhere but I heard different. For example, medical marijuana you might have a problem in some countries. I have heard that is forbidden in Jamaica. Just an example. I am not 100% sure though.

I have Osteoarthritis in my neck and other joints. Walking is hard for me. I ask for mobility assistance at the Airport. Every Airport has them. My Husband walks along with the Airport staff pushing me. I can walk and stand but the distances and when you have to walk quickly I can't do it.

The travel is the hardest part. Once there you can take a rest and enjoy the nice weather. Have you been to Mexico before. I have I.B. and I often came back with stomach problems when in Mexico. The last time we were there I took a good quality probiotics with me and I was OK. I did have success with brandy once. You can do some research on what to eat and not eat etc.

Have a nice time.

Loring

Osteoarthritis in Multiple Joints, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, Chronic Daily Headaches, I.B., Hard of Hearing...

Post Edited (Loring) : 1/24/2015 7:41:19 PM (GMT-7)

Hi FaithAlways:

We all seem to be plagued with fatigue issues. I try not to sleep in the day because I need a good sleep at night. Don't get too down on yourself. I find in the morning I am still so tired. I can't function till about 10:00. Sometimes I am up when my Husband goes to work, I have cereal and go to the reclining chair to read the paper. Often my eyes are sore or I am just way too tired to read. I am likely still under the effect of the bedtime meds. Sometimes I just lay down and sleep a bit more.

We are not lazy, we are just not well.

I am having a hard time too right now. I have never felt well enough to travel but I have been on so many wonderful trips. Last year we were in Spain and then to Hungary. I walk with head pain but I walked a lot. We take rests breaks and sometimes just sit and have some tea somewhere. The amazing things to see when you go away from home can distract you from pain. It doesn't all go away but your focus shifts from the constant thinking about pain. Do not be afraid to tell your party that you are not 100% well and might need a few breaks.

In Hungary we would walk after breakfast, have lunch and then come back to the room for a rest. My Husband was doing some work while I had a rest. On one other trip in the past my Doctor prescribed 60 Tramadol to take with me. I had just come off Lyrica. He said when you have walked too much go back to your room, take a Tramadol and have a rest. I started with 1/2 as I did not know how I would respond. I am not on Tramadol on a regular basis so taking 1 or 1/2 doesn't help much.

Yes, be positive and hope you have a good time.

Loring

Osteoarthritis in Multiple Joints, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, Chronic Daily Headaches, I.B., Hard of Hearing...

Thank you both for your helpful suggestions.  I will be back mid-February and will let you know how it worked out.  I'm hoping I have all good news!

Hi Sherrine. Thank you for your suggestions. Funny, I purposely got an aisle seat thinking I may need to stand up and stretch plus I get the bonus of being claustrophobic so the aisle seat helps! What a coincidence, yesterday I was in Harmon and I saw the deflatable lumbar support you can use for your neck or back and I just bought it! I also used it tonight in the bath to rest my neck on the tub. It's great. I would recommend it to the others on this forum as well.

I did print out the exercises and will bring them in my carry-on for sure. This is my first plane ride since being officially diagnosed so I think that is why I am nervous. I don't really know why, I have been feeling ill for years and still traveled but it's been worse this past year or so.

I will take all your other advice as well. I do have one more question. What type of shoe do you wear to the beach. Regular flip flops? I have 12 days left to get something and I was wondering if I should invest in something better?

I will be sure to write when I return and recuperate and let you know how it went. I'm so happy to have somewhere to vent my feelings as unfounded as some of them may be. I can't help how I feel but I sure have learned here that I can help how I think!

Thank you.

Faith Always

Faith,

One thing I didnt see mentioned here was about water. I but a big bottle od water (preferably with electrolytes) as soon as I get there. I carry it with me and try to make sure I drink it often. It doesnt have to be a lot, but it will help the fatigue. It was a habit I got into when I was travelling weekly. It helps with fatigue, dryness and energy. I also used to get a little piece of chocolate for after the flight. Thesse couple of things helped me a lot before and after my official fibro dx.

Enjoy your trip!