How to travel when living with Chronic Pain

How to Travel When Living with Chronic Pain  By Barby Ingle
During this packed month of chronic pain awareness activities it brings to mind all that goes into traveling when we are living with a chronic pain disease. 
Traveling concerns: Just because you need to manage pain it does not mean you cannot travel – we just need to plan a little more than the average person!
There are some simple things that can be done ahead of time to help reduce some pain caused by traveling.

1. Book directly with your hotel/motel. Use the hotels’ website to review all of the amenities and place a call to book your reservations. Explain your situation and ask for rooms on the first floor or that may be more accessible to those who have issues with walking or need more quiet. Ask about local attractions as well. Take a virtual tour so you know the set up before you get there it will save time! And Energy!
2. Plan your transportation from start to finish! If you can book direct flights go for it!  Let your airline know you have special needs – use a wheelchair from curbside to boarding. From personal experience it makes a huge difference. Also this may allow and your group to board without the crowds (first or last) but it is worth not being bumped stepped on and so on! Do not be embarrassed – this will save your energy and well being for what is  most important – your vacation! When renting a car makes sure it will accommodate a wheelchair /scooter etc it needed. Also do not forget your handicapped parking placard! What a difference that can make at many attraction – even the beach! Many seats on the plane have more leg room the others – look to reserve those! Also check out all your legal rights as a disabled person while traveling. It’s amazing what you may be entitled too!  Also a ride to the airport vs. driving yourself. Curbside delivery is so much easier then all of the parking lot issues.
3. If you are driving take frequent rest stops – at least every two hours to stretch and move around. We get stiff and sore very quickly.
4. Make a list of what you need on the trip and I do not mean just clothes! Besides your medications thinks of neck pillows, heating pads, cold packs, small blanket etc. Some airlines now charge for pillows and blankets so be prepared! Pack this in your personal carry on. I once put all my meds in my carry on and when we changed plans they deemed it was too big for the smaller plane and had to chance it in cargo. Never again! A good back pack to hold all your essentials is a good idea.
5. Prioritize your sightseeing! Research your destination and list what you really would like to do! Rank those in order so if a flare up happens you visit the ones that really matters to you.  Make time to rest is very important. Plan a sightseeing day and then a day off or half day visits. Maybe your family has a place to visit that you do not have a strong interest in let them go and use that as day of rest! Check out all of the attractions for what accommodations they have for handicapped visitors. Special seating. Separate lines etc.  What a difference it can make! Do your research. At Disney we had special seating right up front for shows! Front of the line at many attractions!
6. If anyone considers camping for their summer vacation there are a few things to consider such as a good air mattress,  the tent in the shade and have a tent large enough to stand in. Standing hunched over will not be helpful!
7. A big thing for many of us may be also a change in diet. Simple changes to our routine can often set off many different issues so keep this mind when experimenting! Bring snacks that you normally eat to help out.
8. Check the airlines for rules and regulations – especially if  leaving the country
9. Ask for help! If it’s a family vacation so the family can help! Let their fingers do some research etc.
10. Emergency contact info!  Your Doctors numbers, family contacts, and keep meds in original containers. Check out local pharmacies or medical centers if you may need care during your trip.
11. A few notes on your personal health while traveling. Get plenty of rest whenever you can. Pace yourself and plan breaks.
12. Stretch often. Get up from your seat at least once an hour. If you don’t you will just be more stiff and in more pain. Even major athletes have this issue!
13. Keep yourself comfortable. Wear loose fitting clothing while traveling. Use lumbar or neck pillows if you will be sitting for long periods of time. Plan your wardrobe inlayers to accommodate temperature changes in cars, planes, attractions and so on.
14. Be open about your limitations to those who you are traveling with. Make sure they really do understand what your chronic pain management entails.  Pushing ourselves for a special purpose may work and yet it may not – so be careful about overdoing it.
15. Plan your medications to maximize their effects while traveling in difficult situations. Do not wait until the flare up starts be preemptive!
16. Even day on short trips require planning to make sure that you get the most out of your vacation and to do it without a flare up. Vacations are to be enjoyed and with some fore thought you are your family can enjoy most trips without mishap.
17. Vacations are meant to be a break from our very day lives so make it happen. Enjoy and takes lots of pictures so you can prove you where there!
18. Check with AAA they can often offer information about traveling with disabilities.