Going on Holiday???

[KimiJay]

Hi All, Only my second post as am techno moron, so hope it all works and it posts ok. - Would like to ask for help here because I really want to get back into taking proper holidays as so tired. Am growing nice little cataracts and get leg cramps, so have guilt that I'm so dependent on hubs and son for long distance driving, although they probably prefer it that way! - I don't welcome the discomfort and skin soreness of travel at all and find one hour at a stretch is quite enough.

On previous joint family holidays have often been too tired to go down to the beach even to watch the grandkids, so just planning for the three of us going. Am freaky about food now in other places as have GERD and food intolerances. - Still traumatised after freebie week in France when just walking across a rocky beach on the first night caused much pain and I ran out of my strongest otc painkillers I keep for emergencies. There was limited access to chemists there, so was mostly stuck in the house with pain for company, while the others went out exploring the very nice place. Also had to watch everyday as they ate the lovely bread and cheeses and drank the wine that I could not.

Fortunately, I love the UK, (but not camping anymore) so this last week I have rashly suggested we go up North to meet up with a friend from the US who is travelling across that way and book a hotel or s o m e t h i n g, but as usual am stressing out about it. Have suggested it to her now so can't back out!!! - Does anyone else find that brain fog makes planning, booking and the dreaded packing horribly difficult? Holidays are supposed to make you feel rested aren't they? Hubs and I, certainly very tired right now as we were last year when we managed three nights away in the New Forest and the year before that, three nights by a stream in Shropshire in a mobile holiday home! Lovely, but not enough.

I just think I want longer than that so there is more of a chance to really, really, really relax, so if there are any little tips and ideas from anyone on what helps make hols work for them and not be causes of great stress and falling out, I would be very pleased to know. Or is it just part of the fabulous fibro fun we all really want to get away from?!! Thanks and love. KimiJay.

[Doctormummy]

I went on holiday with my family recently and l was able to manage due to steroid injection given for my back pains, also took a Motability scooter to use to ride to the beach, l had knee compression pads under my clothing for short walks such as standing , flight journey was very stressful due to pain but l took strong pain killers and slept all through the flight but it was worth it being with my family than always staying back in UK, Still recovering from the trip but it was worth it

[KimiJay in reply to Doctormummy]

Brilliant 030! I have gone on to Amazon and the breathable knee pads look particularly promising. Left knee is certainly a bit of an issue. I have a serola belt for my hips but don't use it that much because of finding it tiring and slightly uncomfortable for my arms to put on and take off frequently, but will make more effort I think if I've to put on other supports too and the knee pad will also help with doing housework. Just knowing that there will not be such a kick back from any exercise is encouraging.

I have run my mind across a scooter once or twice. There are days when I've done too much the day before and am just a bit too tired to walk out but it would get me round to the shop and to a distant view, and there is a shed waiting for it as we've all had to let our bikes go. I think this is a really useful direction to follow up and it does make the beach more accessible. Many thanks. KJ

[EarthSitter1]

This is how we normally plan our holidays;

We usually stay somewhere with a view so we don’t have to go out if I’m not up to it, usually an air bnb as you can book for however many days you want, There are some unusual places to stay, a proper home from home and they’re usually cheaper.

We always plan to do nothing the day after we arrive as I’m always in so much pain I need a duvet day - so I take a good book or magazine and dvd’s to watch. Take some treats with us and simple meals easy to heat in a microwave or order a takeaway.

Packing I usually start a couple of weeks before just dropping the odd items into the case as I think about it so that I don’t have a lot to pack at once. I do make sure the last that goes into the case are pj’s a comfy set of clothes and my meds and if I’m not up to unpacking when I get there I don’t- before now everything has stayed in the case the whole time, fishing out what I need each day and putting dirty clothes in a black bag lol

I don’t know if any of that helps at all. Hope you manage to have a lovely break 💛

[KimiJay in reply to EarthSitter1]

This is so useful, Earthsitter, because I overthink and complicate everything and that's really tiring. I am going to write this all out as a checklist on my laptop and my diary for when I lose it. It will help calm the brain fog and the looming sense of panic that always comes as any visit away approaches. A two week before rule sounds about right. We have an event to go to with our friend but there will not really be a need to dress up, so choosing a comfy set of clothes sounds very sensible, as is not unpacking too. Why did I never think of it like that before? And the black bag. - I'd like to find a view too. Landlocked here so seaview inviting. I gave up on airbnb but will look in the area again, make a list of what I need and get the others to help find something. Thanks KJ.

[EarthSitter1]

Glad to be of help 💛

[KimiJay in reply to EarthSitter1]

You were and I've written 'start packing' in my diary. TechnoHubs says he is happy to go along with whatever I want it to be because we need to get away. Just hope the local community can cope with giving him up for a bit, lol!

[SpikeDinosaur]

With food intolerance I find it less stressful to stay somewhere where you can self cater. Order a supermarket delivery for the day or day after you arrive. You can get all the stuff you are used to without having to take it with you or find and shop in a strange supermarket. You can start putting things in the basket as you remember them. If you take a coolbag with you, you can bring home whatever you don't use if you end up eating out more than you thought.

[KimiJay in reply to SpikeDinosaur]

Thanks for your thoughts, Spike. Yes, food intolerance is one of the difficult things I have to deal with. All three of us have different food needs now and my friend who is joining us is still doing a keto diet! Many shops or pubs have gluten free bread but it usually has yeast in it which gives me headaches, as does oats, so for me sandwiches and most bikkies are out, but yes, I can take gluten free crackers and dairy free vegan cheese slices to have, and some hotels or b & bs will of course keep things like that in their fridge if there isn't one in the room. Forgot that! They can go on my list. I just fancy being catered for sometimes, but it is a good idea to take at least some basics with me and my own lower sugar gluten free things. - My daughter in law has always ordered groceries when we've shared a holiday home so I've never had to think about it much because she uses things like brown rice pasta too. I can also take this stuff I've found called quinola. It's in packets and tastes pretty nice.

It seems I now have a working plan. I'm coming out of the panic and brain fog a bit and into a light sea mist! Looking forward to eating fish and chips on the promenade too. The seagulls can have my batter and share my chips!

Very focussing helpful thoughts. Thanks again. KJ