The holidays...

[Fed1000]

My wife and I decided to go on vacation even if for a few days. We plan to visit Prague. If it were up to me I'd rather not go but I have to do it for her. I feel strongly indecisive, fearful, scared, with the fear of not making it. Is anyone experiencing this? And how is it overcome? Thanks

[Thal]

Being away from home, I should have practiced before leaving. I would have remembered what I forgot.

[Fed1000 in reply to Thal]

Thank you Thal but..could you be more precise?

[Thal in reply to Fed1000]

Pack and pretend away while at home.

[Gioc]

Fed, in my experience when I travel I'm better off. Maybe other neurotransmitters come into play or maybe the body produces more dopamine, but don't overdo it. And above all, don't use the means of transport I use as crushes stones in the photo.

Greetings from Lake Como Italy

Italy means of transport for PWPS

[Fed1000 in reply to Gioc]

ahahah, a warm greeting Gio' and thanks for the suggestion.

[Michel0220]

Hi Fed, I am always a bit anxious when traveling due to the stress it may cause (e.g. crowds at airport, possible delays) and the general tiredness associated with it (e.g. walking around with your luggage). I would however say that it may be a price worth paying because traveling keeps your brain stimulated and new experiences are probably good for you. The key thing in my view is that the destination itself should be a relaxing place and not a stressful one. Similarly to Gioc, I felt my symptoms were better during my latest (beach) holiday. Traveling to a big city might have been different.

[Fatherof5 in reply to Michel0220]

I would agree Michel. I am currently finishing a trip to France visiting family and while making our train connections were a little worrisome at times I believe that I was forced to be in the ‘present’ whether to read a metro map, speak with family I have not seen in a while or simply take in the sights of where we were currently. This gave energy to do all the walking we did which surprised me because I was worried too. Prague is a beautiful place to visit so enjoy

[LAJ12345]

Yes, for years my husband would get sick on every holiday we took on day 3, take to his bed and not participate for the rest of the trip. This was years before diagnosis. I think it is anxiety. He is anxious about anything new or unfamiliar or out of routine. I think the best solution for it is to keep doing as many new and unfamiliar things as you are able for as long as possible as if you give your self permission to avoid things you narrow down your world.

He has found a low regular dose of clonazapam is helping immensely. He takes 1/4 x 0.5mg morning and afternoon and 1/2 before bed as a regular preventative thing and he has become so much more able to cope.

Also I recommend a practice overnight trip to somewhere really close to see how that goes. That way you can trial a new bed, new surroundings., living from your suitcase. What drugs to take.

[grower]

I find very small doses of edible marijuana helps ease my anxieties over travel and make it much better. Not enough to feel high, just enough to realise that you're not quite "normal" and everything feels fine.

[Jennyjenny2]

I don’t know where you’ll be traveling from, but maybe part of your fear could be traveling by air near Russia, or Belarus? An elderly friend of ours has to go to Germany (from Australia) to see her brother as he is dying. She feels she was made to go by the rest of the family still living in Germany but is very fearful of flying there due to the Russian war. She overcame her fear once she made the decision to go by booking her flight to Switzerland (being neutral) and will then take public transport to the south of Germany.

Hope you can find peace with your decision.

[Zella23]

Most years we have travelled to France on our own and also sometimes with friends. Last year we arranged a holiday with friends to France in a villa, where we had been before. My husband told me to go and he would stay at home. Our friends were upset and said they would help as much as was needed. They really wanted him to come.

The airport security is often the problem due to belt and pills as well as phone being removed. With help from one of our friends it all went well for him. The plane was on time, taxi picked us up at destination and we had an amazing time in France.

Managing and anticipating difficulties helps a lot.

I’m sure you will enjoy your holiday with your wife exploring somewhere new. Just make it manageable for yourself, plan together identify any potential difficult areas before double check you have your meds available.

My husband says look after the P’s, paperwork, planning and plane.

Have a great time!

[Smokeypurple]

I'm in the UK and I find my sunflower 🌻 lanyard helps a lot at airports. Staff are usually well - trained to recognise this as an indicator of a difficulty which may not be immediately obvious. It can have many benefits including priority boarding and disembarking and not having to stand in passport control queues.If you Google it you will find they are readily available.

[WinnieThePoo]

I am just back from a wonderfully refreshing 3 weeks in Soustons on the French Atlantic coast. We drove, and it was about 6 hours with 2 charging stops for the electric car. We planned very thoroughly and I bit my tongue when the packing was a bit tight because my wife had refused the roof box.This weekend we fly back to the UK for Sue's best friends (3rd) wedding. Carcassonne to Stansted, ryanair. It is NOT going to be wonderfully relaxing!! But, we have again planned thoroughly, and I am looking forward to being able to hug my mum for the first time in 3 years. And we have an agreed strategy

We are going to expect delays and "suck it up"

Avoiding stress is the key. Enjoy your holiday 🌞

[Fed1000 in reply to WinnieThePoo]

Thank you very much Winnie.

[Evvo]

My husband has Parkinsons. We just took a 12 day Mediterranean cruise with lots of excursions - all his idea! We were just mindful about what he could handle and tried to set that pace. Sometimes he was pushed to the limit and then some. It was all fine and he loved it. Probably the most stressful part was the trying to get on the plane with all the covid requirements! Just try to relax and rest when you can! When you get home, rest up and then return to your routine as soon as you feel up to it!

[Seamus6]

Just do it!

What's the worst that could happen.

Prepare properly, allowing for some down/quiet time.

If you don't go you'll regret it - if you do go then you're beating Parkinson's 👍

[Fed1000 in reply to Seamus6]

Thank you very much.

[Jana86]

My husband and I just canceled a trip to France that was scheduled for October. We found in a recent trip to So Carolina that between his heart issues and my Parkinson's, handling travek arrangements, snafus, problems with a house we rented, etc., that I ended up in the ER for the afternoon. Totally support the idea that exposure to new things is good for us, but context is everything. We are working on shorter trips where we have maximum flexibility and control, revisiting places we both loved and searching our near communities for new knowledge resources. I am considering a Master Gardener course of study. My husband has identified online resources to support his landscape photography hobby. You don't have to stop learning if you don't choose to take long trips to foreign lands.

[134A]

I too experience anxiety prior to any non routine events, especially travel. I usually end up enjoying myself and husband is happy which helps me as well. Remind yourself that what you worry about rarely comes to pass.keep on keeping on!