Traveling with Endo

[Nolliemai]

Hi! I've been lucky enough to be able to afford to travel to America to visit friends of 10years and very excited. I really don't want to miss this opportunity to see people I haven seen in years (prepandemic) but the last time I traveled I was, for lack of a better word, "normal pain". Aka pain that I was able to work through.

Now I am at stage 4 endometriosis and have mobility issues which cause me to use a cane. I am luck enough to be staying with someone who also has a chronic illness (not endo but we experience simular pains, hers alot more manageable since having treatment) so i will be with someone who really understand the daily pains. (I don't mean to say people without chronic pain don't understand but in my experience they just... don't quiet grasp all the facets of being in chronic pain).

Basically I was wondering if there was any tips out there for traveling with Endo. I'll have the usual things like of course enough meds and a heat pad that can go on the plane with me. Just wondered if there was any hidden tips and tricks people know of for traveling with endo. (This is also the first time lone flyer so abit nervous about it all lol)

I don't want my condition to hold me back. I'm only 34 and since my diagnosis at 30 I've been in a weird... I suppose self pity /self loathing state? Kind of numb/indifferent to alot of things? Hard to explain... but i don't want that to stop my travel plans!!

Any tips or words of advice would be helpful <3

[Simo7]

How exciting!! Don’t stop your travel plans because of endo, though I know how tempting it can be. I’ve cancelled loads but pushes the boundaries when it was a necessity too and then wondered why I didn’t before.

When you book your flight they ask if you need any special assistance, so tick yes and make sure that you follow the procedures of the air company. You can request a wheelchair so that you can be escorted through the airport, trust me - as you probably know if you’re using a cane anyway - walking long distances through airports just knackers you and it’s not how you want to start. Even if you don’t want to be escorted then the air stewards are aware that you may need help. It helps so much with energy levels because you can go to the front of the boarding queue and be first onboard, instead of possibly standing up waiting. The only thing about being escorted through the airport - sometimes it’s not a wheelchair, sometimes it’s a cart - is that you miss duty free ( but I’d rather that than be in pain) so take some snacks etc.

There are also fast track lines in some airports for shorter walking distances. The support will apply at your destination too, so when you get off make sure there’s someone to help you - the staff onboard usually tell you to wait until everyone else has got off, don’t worry though someone should escort you, the same help as before, so that you don’t have to stand in the long passport control queues.

I always book an aisle seat so that I can stretch a little, but obvs it’s personal choice. I take a heat pad that’s rechargeable and stick on heat pads. A water bottle to fill for painkillers, etc. extra sanitary protection & spare undies maybe? All your meds to hand with their boxes and a prescription with your name on if they’re controlled drugs (eg Tramadol - check the countries rules). If you over heat then take some of those cold pads too. If you get anxiety sometimes the aromatherapy oils can be hand to smell. I make sure I pack everything that’s a necessity in my hand luggage, tissues etc. oh and I like a scarf for a little comfort.

I hope this helps, enjoy your trip! I spent years putting off travelling, which is something that I loved, because of endometriosis & adenomyosis and they’re effect on my mental health too (the more I didn’t do it- the more I couldn’t do it) Don’t be me! Xxx