If you have already departed on your voyages journeys to interesting destinations , I hope these tips may help on the journey home . If you are about to leave , I hope this will help you travel in a Stress Free , PMR / GCA and Chronic Pain Friendly way.
It's good to remember , that any travel with Chronic Health issues , big or small , is actually often harder on your system than the activity itself. It involves , anxiety , preparation and a lot of ups and downs. In fact , if you look at Spoon Theory , travelling to work or engagements often used up more Spoons than a morning of activity or work .
PAIN and FATIGUE BUSTING PLANNING
So be prepared . Even if you are sitting down , you need to make sure you are comfortable , take breaks if you are on the road and try to find ways to relax as you go. If you have the option to choose the time of day you travel choose a time in the day when you have more energy . If you have the common Chronic Illness mid afternoon slump , that's the time to avoid.
Making sure you don't leave things to the last moment , even if it is just a short bus ride helps reduce Physical Pain. Be ready half an hour before you need to leave the house and take time to have a drink and relax your body before you head off.
If you are taking a bag , or packing for a long journey , do it in small stages over a number of days, with a good list to tick off , well ahead of time . Try to have all your packing and preparation done at least 24 hours before you leave so you have a day of rest to prepare for the rigours of your journey. And don't rush out , or plan an activity as soon as you arrive.
Leave the unpacking and have a lie down for an hour instead , if you are visiting Family prepare them so they know you may need to have this quiet time when youvp arrive. It can make all the difference between you coping well on your holiday or spending most of it trying to catch up on Energy.
Pack your bags as you use your clothes and things , then it means you have little to pack the day before you return , and choose a light relaxing activity for your last day so that you are well rested for the trip home.
POST JOURNEY TIPS
When you get home don't start dashing about unpacking , sorting washing etc. Either get your fellow travellers to do that for you , or wait it day and get your rest instead.
If you are still working or take part in a lot of organised social activities , give yourself a full day or two off before you return to business as usual. It is a regular tale of those that travel or holiday that they feel amazing while away but fall into heap within half a day of getting home. Healthy folks do this too , we have all said , ' Gosh , I could do with a holiday after that holiday ' . The difference is that people without Chronic Illness or not on Steroids can adjust their Adrenaline levels to cope with struggling on until they adjust to the Norm , people with Chronic illnesses can't , which is why they often get hit with a wall of pain 48 hours after getting Home.
Here are some extra practical tips for all sorts of journeys to help you on your pain free way :
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ESSENTIAL HAND LUGGAGE , any journey , for Women and Men
A ziplock see through bag containing your medication ( all of it for your trip or at least four days doseage) , prescription cover , GP and medicine permission letter , summary of your drugs ( generic names) and medical history. This is as important as your passport , keys and tickets!!!
If you use injections you need a cool insulated lunch box style pack with a clear handmade ice pack , or frozen small bottle of water and if going abroad a document from the GP / Air Agency allowing you to take it .
It is also good to include Paracetamol , Antihistamines and Travel Sickness pills ( if allowed ) , a Vicks Vapour inhaler , and insect bite relief .
Phone or device and charger
A small wallet with some of the currency you require for a quick emergency
A small pack of wet wipes , hankies, and a sick bag , mini antibacterial hand wash
A pair of foldable slip on slippers ( men and women)
A microbead neck pillow ,
A large bottle of water and some food and snacks you like to eat ( if you are travelling by plane you will need to pick these up after check in).
1/2 folded small cloth tote bags
Your tickets etc. Of course!
🌍🌍🌏🌏 BEFORE YOU GO 🌏🌏🌍🌍
Check your routes to make sure there are no delays
Tell people at Home and Away your routes and arrival times
Get those people to download a good App to track your progress like Flightaware Flighttrack for free, or have your whole itinerary in an app that organises your plans for you like Tripit.
This means if you do not arrive as scheduled people are prepared , or they know they need to ring you.
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PLANE TRAVEL TIPS
If you can get a lift or taxi to and from the Airport , or make sure your Airport Assistance includes help from the Car Park.
Use Airport Assistance , it's for All.
Book it via your airline or travel agency upto 48 hours before you leave
Check if you need Special documents for medical equipment like injections , oxygen , mobility aids , info from your airline , airport or the Civil Aviation Authority of the Country you visit.
Wear compression leggings or socks under your clothes. Have sunglasses in case you get headaches. Take your shoes or boots off and put slippers on it helps reduce leg pain.
Buy a large bottle of water and some food items before boarding.
Get an aisle seat so you can move about and have more leg room.
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FERRY or CRUISE
The advice for these is just the same as that for planes .
You have upto 48 hours before embarking to book travel assistance via your Agent , Ferry Service or Port.
The same rules for checking about Medications and Special Equipment apply.
Ports however still have an obligation to give you free limited help on the day of arrival.
If you aren't getting a Coach or Driver Support to the Port use a Lift or Taxi from Home or the Station to prevent issues walking from Parking Areas.
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TRAIN TIPS
Take lifts or taxis to stations if you can as most Railway Assistance only begins at the Station door in most Countries.
You can get free Railway Assistance in most Countries but you have upto 24 hours before your journey to book it .
In the UK this can be done by National Rail Enquiries linking you with the first Company on your route , it is their responsibility to tell all links on your journey even if another rail company takes over , number is 08000223720.
Reserve your seats with a table , and use the aisle seat nearer to the doors and a bathroom. You can stretch your legs and walk about . You don't want to be stuck standing on your journey.
Take your food , a bottle of water and a flask of hot drink with you.
You may like taking a nap blanket and a heat pad in a back wrap and a cushion for long journeys , you are having your bags carried by assistance or your family so it's worth it . Use those slippers and remove the shoes on long journeys too.
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CAR TRAVEL
Check oil and water etc. , but also try out your seat , you often want extra leg room for a long journey.
Check for delays and weather reports. Have a potential Plan B route .
Pack some blankets , a large bottle of water as well as hand held ones in your back seat , pack extra sandwiches , you can always eat them in bed later or use them when you get home and you are too tired to cook. If you get in a jam , or in the snow you might need it more than most. Take your shoes off and put those folding slippers on , toe wriggling helps in the Car.
Use a heat pad in a back support and a cushion it relieves lower back and hip pain building up on long journeys.
Plan your break stops , don't take a long one but a number of short ones to stretch your legs , wake up and get fresh supplies if you need it
Have breakdown and Emergency contact numbers handy and a torch .
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Wherever you wander you want to feel as like you are Home.
So travel for comfort not for speed . Rest stops are your new found friend. Stretching is worth it and being as prepared as a Girl Guide ( or Aunty Bee!) Causes far less Stress and Pain making your Christmas or Holiday Break away lots more fun.
Take care on your travels , Bon Voyage , Aunty Bee
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