the road is life: tips for traveling with a chronic illness…

Update:  After publishing this post, my fellow POTS blogger at With a Side of Salt alerted me to her post about airplane travel with POTS. It’s a fantastic, informative post, and I absolutely recommend you check it out here.

– Linds
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As you may remember, in my last post, chronic voyage, I discussed my recent unsatisfactory trip to the desert.  Traveling can be taxing for even the healthiest of individuals – it is no surprise it can be especially difficult for the chronically ill.  In this post I will share what I’ve found helpful when traveling. Please share your experiences as well!

Please note that the following are just things that I have found helpful. As every condition is different, you may not find them helpful. Please consult with your doctor before making any changes to you treatment regimen.

• Make sure to drink enough fluids. In fact, I usually try to “overhydrate”

  

  (if there is such thing for a dysautonomiac), starting a few days before, continuing while on the trip, and even continuing for a few days after. Many people with chronic illnesses have to remember to keep electrolytes up while consuming lots of fluids.  You can see my electrolytes of choice at the right. My biggest problem when traveling is remembering to hydrate while on the flight.  I’m too worried about having to pee every 5 seconds. Which brings me to…

• Get the aisle seat. With all that hydrating you’ll need to use the restroom. And, whether you’re traveling by plane, train or automobile, remember to get up periodically and walk around if you have circulation problems. If I do not move my legs for a few hours, they sometimes give out the next time I try to stand, making it difficult to walk.

• Compression socks! For those of you who are not familiar with compression socks, it’s just a fancy way of saying old lady socks.  Compression socks are tight hosiery (in knee, thigh or waist high) that put pressure on the legs and veins, causing a decrease in pooling and an increase in blood flow. They help with standing, but are a bitch to get on and are extremely expensive (avg $30-60 per pair!!). Fortunately, they come in cute and sexy styles for those dysautonomiacs who want to wear grandma socks without looking like grandma.

• Take whatever medication you need to get through it (with consent of your doctor, of course). In retrospect, I should have doubled my beta blocker, especially traveling to the desert. I have friends who will take a sleeping pill to knock themselves out for the flight or ride. There are many herbs and natural substances that help with relaxation, low blood pressure, dehydration, motion sickness, etc, or meditations to help if you have a fear of flying. However, don’t try anything new on the day of travels. It would be awful to discover that you have a bad reaction to a medication or herb mid-flight.

• Pack ahead of time, and for every situation. Try to have all packing finished by the night before (except for whatever you need that morning) to reduce any stress.  Bring layers, extra medication, ear plugs, phone charger, salty snacks, drinks and anything else that is particularly helpful for your condition. It’s also a good idea to bring your doctors’ phone numbers, a list of allergies, information about your illness (especially if “invisible”), copies of prescriptions and any other medical information that may be useful.

• If you need it, reserve a wheelchair for use around the airport. If standing in long lines or walking from one wing of the airport to the other leaves you feeling sick, a wheelchair can be an immense help. For information about how
  to go about getting a wheelchair, check out the Transportation Security Administration’s information about accessibility services.

• Listen to your body! If you need to rest, do it. If you need to lie down, do it. If you need help, ask for it. If you need medical attention, demand it. But if you’re having a good time, enjoy it.

How about you, what makes traveling easier for you??

“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” – Jack Kerouac

Smell ya later.
– Linds