Lets talk about all the things we try to prevent flare ups with travel and vacations.
In early March I took a simple trip from Portland Oregon to Seattle Washington to work as a model at the Emerald City Comic Con.
I rested up before going, but had to drive myself up solo. I planned with extra time for resting my eyes and getting out of the car to stretch. I also was lucky to arrive and get my hotel several hours before standard check in.
Then I had to costume up and work the 5 hour shift. It nearly killed me. I forgot my meds when I left the hotel and while I had my fentynal patches on I had chose to not take any percocet since I was driving. I was in comfortable shoes, had the option to sit/stand/move about as needed but within a short time of sitting at my booth I was in trouble. By the end of my shift it was agony.
The flare upon returning home was weeks long of fatigue and symptoms.
I am flying to San Diego in 4 weeks with my new boyfriend and we are going to be in Cali for 5 days. I am starting to become very fearful since he has not seen me have any severe symptoms. I have been suffering from insomnia lately but he has not seen me with severe fatigue, unable to drive, or with such desperate pain that I am in tears. Flying typically makes me a bit off so I will take some meds for the motion sickness.
Please share any and all travel tips.
Anything at all. Like I travel with a Bobble water bottle. it has a filter inside the top to filter out any water you get from the hotel sink to taste better and remove the chlorine. I always have sunglasses to prevent headaches. When I travel by car I bring an electric kettle and french press so I can have quality tea and coffee in my room
I don’t fly well, so I always take dramamine to help ease my tummy and get sleepy on the flight. I wear shoes I can take off easily and dress in workout pants and layers to stay comfy. I usually don’t like eating a lot when I fly due to the motion sickness but will remember to bring some salty crackers or chex mix so I get thirsty and it encourages me to drink more water. I try for a window seat so I’m not bumped in the aisle the whole flight and so I can rest on the side of the plane. I make lists to check that I don’t forget things to reduce stress and anxiety. Neck pillows are awesome! And if it isn’t a really long flight I try to reduce my carry on so it’s light and easy to manage. I make every choice for comfort over glamor when I travel… I can look pretty when I get there! Hope you find the tips you need and have a wonderful trip! I am in the Portland area also and ready for the cold to let up a bit.
I just flew from Sacramento to Seattle and suffered for it when I got home. Seattle was really cold and rainy which did horrible things for my pain. The things I would do different is: find places to eat that are relatively close to where you are staying if needed, bring a small pill box that fits in your purse in case you forget to take you medication that morning before you leave (this little box has been a life saver for me many times), bring a heating pad, and bring something soothing to listen to in the hotel so you can relax before you fall asleep. I found nature sounds on the ipod docking station that was in my last hotel which was a plus. Also make sure you don't do a ton of things and push yourself to do everything as we all know this does not pay in the end and we end up in bed in horrible pain.
I would try to bring as much routine into your stay as you can. Try to do things in San Diego that you do at home to keep more routine in your day as your body and mind will focus on the differences and cause pain. Also what I have been trying to do is instead of focusing on where you hurt, what might happen, and how you think you will react try to calm yourself and focus on the positive. When you are packing make a list of things to bring like someone else said, also plan for things you are going to do there and print items out to take with you.
That is all I can think of for now but above all remember this is a vacation and you are going to have a great time. It won't be work like last time where you probably couldn't rest much or hide out alone to calm down and help alleviate the pain :-D
We were going to a huge music event but that was moved to another date so now we are just going with no real plan aside from 2 days in SanDiego and then driving to LA for a few days before returning to SanDiego to fly home. He has to do ALL the driving.
Since he is from LA, he wont get us lost.
I will definately be packing pills in my purse so I am covered. I have forgotten them before and that was the worst. I am going to get early boarding. I did this last time I flew and it was way easier than trying to get my bag put away when all the other people were pushing and crowding. (and BF can help put my bag in the overhead)
The plus is that I am leaving my daughter at home so that cuts down on a lot of work.
