TRAVELING WITH PARKINSONS

[starfire27345]

traveling with Parkinsons. My friends want me to take a trip with them to Italy. It is a 9 hour plane ride and I am not always feeling well. I have balance problems but if I use a walker I am fine. Would you all tell me what your thoughts are. It would be much appreciated.

[Astra7]

Go for it. It sounds like fun. Try to get day flights so you don’t get too tired, and get all the airline help you can.

Nice to have something to look forward to!

[starfire27345 in reply to Astra7]

Thank you for your response. I appreciate it.

[Gioc]

You are always welcome in Italy.

I'm sure that travelling in Italy is always better than not.

When I travel, my symptoms always improve a bit;

don't exaggerate!

Gio

[Adnelg54]

Last summer we took a 2 week trip to Israel...an 11hour trip...all went well...here are some of the things we learned...

1. We will never take that long of a trip in coach. Assuming business class is to $$$ I would look into a flight with a stopover.

We went on a few days early to get over the jet lag and get accustomed to the time change. The trip would not have been as successful had we not taken those few days

GO.... have a great time

[GymBag]

What AD said above. Pay business class or first class . Travel like a queen. Take your walker and check it through baggage . Have travel agent notify airline that you need wheel chair assistance at every airport. Between wheelchairs they push and special vehicles inside airport you will be taken to all your stops, customs , gate ,washroom etc and will board the plane first with you friends . Dont pass it up , enjoy yourself , its later than you think.

[starfire27345 in reply to GymBag]

thank you for your response. You are right. I should take advantage of what I can do now.

[64sa8ndF]

We recently travelled to Florida, took 24 hours & using 3 different airlines involving terminal changes, no problems. Be sure to book seats with extra room at least & be ready to tip your wheelchair pushers who are cheerful & helpful & get very little pay.

[Pats68]

If you have a lot of problems with fatigue it will be difficult

[starfire27345 in reply to Pats68]

Thank you for your response. I appreciate your input.

[Pats68 in reply to starfire27345]

I took a two week road trip in September and I spent most of my time asleep in the backseat.

[Hidden]

Do it. My husband has PD and we have learned how to travel and have a great time. Every year we fly from USA to a safari in southern Africa. I drive us all over the area, and this last year we flew to Zimbabwe and took the train to Zambia, then back to South Africa.

Try to travel Business class. We use frequent flyer miles from credit cards. Also, Business class fare can be cheaper from Canada, so you can fly to Canada in Coach then catch another flight in Business.

If you can't do that then purchase Economy Comfort seats or Economy Premium. For a trip to Europe it imay only be $150 more. If not, pay for the seat with extra legroom, but make sure it also reclines (look at SeatGuru for seat information before booking the seat) as some exit row seats with extra legroom don't go backwards.

Try to schedule your flights so you have an overnight stay, if possible. For example, if you are flying from, say, Sacramento, you may have to fly through Denver or Salt Lake or SFO--and then onto JFK or Washington or Philadelphia. Overnight on the east coast, then catch your overseas flight the next afternoon.

If you have the time, take a Transatlantic (one way) cruise. During late March, April, and May, the cruise lines leave the US for Europe, and fares can be as low as $500, which includes tax. During Sept, October, and November the ships leave Europe to return to the US.

[starfire27345 in reply to Hidden]

How exciting...Thank you for your input. I guess I can do a trip to Europe and not think about the negatives. My friends and I are all senior citizens.

[NRyan]

GO.

[starfire27345 in reply to NRyan]

Thank you for your input.

[Roram]

Call tsa and airline in advance tell them of your situation. Tsa will assign an agent and provide a wheel chair. The airline will allow you on aircraft ahead of everyone else.You will avoid the long lines (hopefully everything will be back to normal.)

[Bron60]

Cruising is a great option. It is much more comfortable. The food and entertainment is better too!

[starfire27345 in reply to Bron60]

Thanks for your response. I agree but my friends (senior citizens) don't want to go the cruise way. They want to choose where they want to go in Italy.