Travel

[Suzzi]

Does anyone else have problems with travel either by car or flight?Husband just seems so anxious or stressed with any change in his daily routine,like new sleeping place,shower,ect?Gets stressed and tries really hard to do well but I can tell he is not feeling it!

[Lionore]

Hi Suzzie,

Since I developed PD, probably about five to ten years before my official diagnosis in 2015, travel has become increasingly stressful, because of sleep deprivation, three hour time difference between my home on the East Coast of the US and my California family. Even traveling to my family in NYC, via, car, train, subway, and walking, takes a toll. Almost invariably, I pick up a cold which worsens my symptoms and keeps me from my exercise program for at least a week after returning home.

I suspect that your husband may be anxious about being able to tolerate the increased energy expenditure, unpredictable times for meals and sleeping, being uncomfortable in an unfamiliar bed, and perhaps falling in a strange shower. Rather than foresaking travel altogether, perhaps the two of you can brainstorm adaptations, especially building in adequate down time and perhaps downsizing expectations about activities. You might agree to have you out and about for a couple of hours while he rests. Having a base of operations instead of being on the move might help him feel more at ease.

[Suzzi in reply to Lionore]

Thank you would love to see daughter in LA but afraid the flight and time change will mess him up

[paddyfield in reply to Suzzi]

Don.t forget to request "special assistance" when booking air travel. Its brilliant You get whisked past all the queues. It is easy to think you don't qualify because of the wheel chair aspect. But it is just easier for t hem to put you in a chair which will accommodate luggage and then they can walk along at their normal pace. Then all you have to worry about is producing your passport/identity stuff . If you have any difficulty handling luggage I recommend this service which seems to be run on very similar lines everywhere I have been in Europr UK and more recently China.

[FluteReed in reply to paddyfield]

I'm going to start doing this! Thank you.

[FluteReed]

Counseling can be helpful to any life altering event and PD surely counts. If you have health insurance it may be covered. Doesn't have to be formal. You, friends, family, a minister can all be sources for listening, reflection, and support. I see a therapist once a week.

[karolmilk]

I have Parkinson’s but continue traveling because it keeps me more active and happy. However, I do have anxiety over packing my bags and not forgetting medicine or other essential items and whether I can manage getting to destinations without a problem. Making lists of items to bring and putting together a itinerary of trip helps. Also, I would probably avoid staying with a friend or relative but rather my husband and I book our own place so when I need some down time or don't feel like doing the tourist thing I can just chill. Last year I traveled two months in Italy by car and three months in four South American countries using buses, ferry, cab, flying. There were some days I was pretty tired but found the change of scenery made me feel more normal and uplifted. I will travel as long as my body can do it.

[karolmilk]

Also, we almost always book through Airb&b and have our own kitchen, and don't stay at hotels where you have to eat out.

[Suzzi in reply to karolmilk]

Yes I found some in LA

[Lionore]

Karolmilk, brilliant! Next trip I'm staying in a nearby hotel instead of with my family, so that I can take a break from my high energy grandkids!

[ddmagee1]

Yes, I have that same problem. With different sleep patterns, it's difficult to travel and stay at different places. I don't fly anymore, and I don't travel by car, long distances, like I used to.