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Issues with Traveling Internationally??

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Posted 7/17/2008 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Again,

So after feeling just terrible on the day of traveling back home to Canada from the UK, I upped my meds some, and now I'm feeling just fine.

My mom thinks it could be something to do with the climate differences. And I'm wondering if it has something to do with the pressure changes in the planes - after being on 6 planes over a period of 5 or so weeks.

I am again traveling to the UK for another few weeks shortly, and I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced anything similar? Or if you've learned any tricks to dealing with it?
I suppose it is possible I also worried about the flight home - being 8 hours and so on.... But I was quite sick, so I don't think it was just a bit of worry...
Posted 7/17/2008 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
I recently traveled from the US to Singapore and then to Phuket and then back to the US with no major issue. But in the past traveling domestically would cause me to get sick. I took an anti anxiety med for my flights this time and I think that contributed to my well being. I also used zycam (the up the nose kind) to prevent myself from catching germs in flight.
Posted 7/17/2008 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
lols phuket
Posted 7/17/2008 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
I just travelled from Chicago to the UK and had a horrible time on the way over. My 2nd leg from Heathrow to Edinburgh was a nightmare!! I think that I tried to do to much before I left (exhaustion always triggers bad things for me) and also ate to many things that were questionable for me and didn't eat/drink often enough. I was down for the count for the first 2 days over there. Not good when you're on vacation. I didn't sprint for the bathroom while on the plane but I made sure I used it before landing and through the flight so that I didn't have to worry about the pressure changes causing any bad effects on my bowels. I also always make sure that while my seatbelt is fastened, it's not tight because the pressure of a seatbelt or belt always causes me problems when I sit for extended periods of time in a car or plane.

On the way back I drank only water and chamomile tea and ate most of my bland meal (special order - worth it for me even though I couldn't eat the salad they kept including and it didn't have much flavor) + a slice of cheesecake (the regular dessert) and was fine. I took my time eating and also had some snacks with me (mmm...I love shortbread!!) I also rested/slept a lot more on the way back which I think helped a lot. I always leave in the afternoon or early evening when going over to the UK so that I can sleep on the plane to decrease my exhaustion and also make sure that I don't have any flights that leave early in the morning (before 11 for me). This was my first flight since my DX w/ UC but I had symptoms last time I flew overseas. Bonus - I found that it was way easier to shop for food in the UK compared to the US.
Posted 7/18/2008 12:30 AM (GMT 0)
sweet - it is a funny name, but there it is pronounced poo-ket not like the English swear word. But poo is funny to me too.

Ducidr - you reminded me of other things that really helped me. I packed protein bars and I only ate when I was hungry. Often they came by with a meal when I wasn't feeling well. I just said no thank you. When I did get hungry, I had my snacks. The flight attendants also had snacks on request. We were flying Singapore Air so even coach is treated like an American airlines business class. I also had my own water bottle that I bought after I got through security. That way I didn't have to worry about having the tray table down w/ a little cup of spilling liquid in it. I could get comfortable and still sip my water when I wanted.
Posted 7/18/2008 5:05 AM (GMT 0)
I've had no problems with long flights; have you considered upgrading your ticket? A flight can be even enjoyable in a roomy seat with good service - not that I can afford it!
Also the more you do to make your travelling day more relaxed and less busy the better you'll feel.
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