traveling while on C/L

[Fatherof5]

Hello, this is for those of you who have travelled by plane over several time zones. I will be visiting Europe this summer and am wondering what suggestions you may have to overcome the readjustment of your C/L medication. My body will need to adjust to 8 hrs difference. Do I simply take my meds as if I have never left the house which would mean getting up in the middle of the night? What about when I return home after two weeks? Thank you in advance

[stocktiki]

I'm worried about this too. My wife and daughter want to go to Japan. I've tried to explain how this will disrupt my schedule. They don't care.

[pdpatient in reply to stocktiki]

stocktiki ,this disease destroys families and is brutal to relationships. While we're miserable, we must acknowledge the needs of our family and caregivers.

Yes, you might see disruption to your schedule, but you need to accommodate. However, based on personal experience, anecdotal information and opinions from medical experts, travel tends to offer relief from Parkinson's symptoms. Your brain is constantly processing auditory and visual information and the shock of the change in scenery and environment actually helps the brain and not the other way around.

Plan your trip carefully and get accessibility information in detail. Plan every segment of your trip with enough room for flexibility. Go to the airport 3 hours prior and buy the fare class that you can afford. So, if you can fly first or business class if you can and use private transportation if possible and if your budget allows.

[Esperanto]

Instead of worrying, focus on making your journey stress-free! Use your travels as an opportunity to let go of everything and immerse yourself in a different world. Embrace the adventure and treat it like your home away from home. If needed, take an extra dose or adjust your schedule to overcome the time difference. Remember to relax and enjoy every moment of your journey! 😎🏖️🍷🧑‍🍳🏔️

[Fatherof5 in reply to Esperanto]

You are right! My wife and I are excited about this trip and we enjoy not just sitting at a cafe taking in the sights but we also walk alot and will be riding bicycles and paddling kayaks. I am trying to see how I can minimize my down time over the first few days until my body adjusts to the new time zone. That being said, living in the moment while I am there will certainly help immensely in my body adapting. Thanks for the advice!

[Windermere1]

we fly from U.K. to LA every year and I stick to my 4 hour schedule, then adjust over first 2/3cdays. Works perfectly.

[RonB1]

We just spent 22 days in Europe. The first night I basically stayed up all night and then took my meds at my 'usual' time the next day without any problems. My symptoms were significantly reduced since I was having such a great time, so I had zero problems adjusting to the 6 hour difference.

[Fatherof5 in reply to RonB1]

Glad to hear that!

[peminc]

Hi there!

The action plans varies depending on if I go East or West. I live on the Atlantic side of the USA. Going to Europe is always an overnight flight and I try to carry 2 days of meds with me. Since I feel best after sleeping , napping or restate I try to sleep on the plane or arriving. I consider the first pill I take upon waking up the first time of the day. I find that is pretty good. I will use a sleeping pill but no Melatonin. Dress warmly & comfy. Bring a book.

Always choose a seat reasonably close and the rest room on the aisle. And bring a cane to visually help people understand that you may need assistance, even if only for going through TSA and early boarding.

Going West is a 5 hour flight against the sun during the day. Plus you lose 3 hours on the clock. I tried to leave in morning and take a nap during the second half of the flight. No sleeping pills. Read and rest. Go as long as you can without a pill. Then an hour before arrival start your meds.

Enjoy the beautiful planet we live on and your family.

[Fatherof5 in reply to peminc]

Thank you for your response!

[Eddie129]

i’m heading to London from New York next week with my 16-year-old daughter. I’m a little nervous as well. Probably bit off more than I can chew as I’m taking her also to the Taylor Swift concert. Oh boy. I just plan on hopefully sleeping on the plane. We upgraded to premium business, our flights at 11 PM arriving 11 AM so I’m hoping to at least get some sleep. Upon waking up on the plane, I’ll take my first med and then just carry on the rest of the day and taking meds as I need them every four hours or so. Our itinerary besides the concert is pretty tame. We will go at our own pace. Sightsee and shop. I hired Car service so I don’t have to deal with the tube going to and from the airport. Trying to do as many things to make life a little easier. I think it’s going to be a great time. I might need earplugs for the concert though.

[pdpatient]

My experience with travel is that the positives outweigh the negatives. Last time I flew was in 2019, so take what I say with a grain of salt 😊. I have been largely much less symptomatic at my destination than the origin.

I live in the USA and during my 2019 flights, I felt much better in Europe and Asia. On the way back, I had a foot infection and went straight to the hospital in the USA. I went a whole day with no medicine for Parkinson's while the doctors deliberated whether to give me Rytary, which I was on, or Sinemet, which is what they are used to prescribing. I even went through an MRI, without the meds. I was mildly symptomatic for almost a month after my arrival.

I have read that travel has a positive stimulatory effect on the senses and can reduce the level of stress on individuals. What I would advise is that if in doubt, I would (personally), have a bias towards starting out slowly with a smaller than usual dose and working my way up from there. Hope this helps. Safe travels ✈️

[Fatherof5 in reply to pdpatient]

Thank you for your advice!

[Lionore]

traveling from east to west coast in the us I keep to my usual schedule since it’s only a three hour time difference. It’s extremely important to have all of my medications with me for the entire trip, not in checked baggage including my supplements. Also drink lots of water and go first class for the extra leg room. I travel alone so I have wheelchair access and a car service that meets me at baggage claim. For the trip home I’m looking into lie flat seats if available.

[Farooqji]

I am going to Europe for 3 to 4 days in a week. Will share my experience upon return