I’m writing this half way across the Atlantic. Just short of 7 hours until we land in San Francisco. My Mum and I are heading over for my brother’s wedding. It’s a very long way to go in 4 days but that’s the longest I’m willing to leave the kids (with their Dad of course) and my eldest starts school the day we return.
Mum’s been dreading it. She also has arthritis, well; in her remaining natural joints and spine. 7 artificial joints were a treat for the airport scanners! She’s loaded up with medication, reclined and neck-braced and right now, quite comfortable.
I’d been really looking forward to it. Four years of joint-wrenching child-rearing without a break and now the excuse to sit with nothing to do for 11 hours? Hallelujah! Oh and of course joining my brother on the happiest day of his life. That said, it isn’t easy traveling with arthritis on board as I’ve found out over the years and around the globe.
I’ve been really lucky to have travelled a lot. The student loan I am still paying off, helped me to spend uni summer holidays in Thailand, Bali, Tanzania and Portugal. Money well-spent in my view. As well as many holidays and weekend breaks, my husband and I also spent six months traveling and another two years living abroad.
Read more about Caroline’s adventures here!
Of course I was younger in those days. My joints had much less wear, I was fitter and stronger and I was determined to experience everything that my peers were. So I was physically better off but perhaps a little naive and lacking in confidence to admit that actually some of these things were really hard for me.
If I go into sensible Mum-mode I’d say – think about your own needs and don’t try to keep up with everyone else. But if I’m being honest, I’d say do it – go out there and push yourself, don’t let your condition stop you and embrace that youthful naivety that allows you to take considered risks and love life.
I don’t remember much at all about arthritis but I do remember the freedom, the fun, the happiness of those care-free times. My Mum always had a good eye-rolling motto – ‘have fun, be safe’. Be aware it will likely be difficult but don’t let that stop you. I’m so glad I did these things when I was more able as you never know how your condition will progress. So plan, plan, plan and then explore, enjoy and create life-long memories.
Chat about this in our Facebook group
Creaky travel check list
Planning:
- Speak to your consultant and make a plan for medication and contingency plans for flare ups and get a medical report outlining your diagnosis and treatment plan.
- Make sure your insurance covers your conditions.
- Choose destinations you can manage and therefore enjoy, thinking about: access to healthcare, comfort of travel and accommodation, access to basic facilities like toilets, climate if you find this affects you, experiences you can manage – I’d loved to have gone to Machu Picchu but knew this was beyond my capability.
- Buy luggage that is most comfortable for you to carry – consider a day backpack rather than shoulder bag, think about how easily you can drag a suitcase or whether you need a large travel backpack.
Flying:
- Book airport assistance – even if you can walk the distance you’ll avoid standing in long queues. You can also choose to just have assistance to get through security or to get to the gate (check walk times to the gate as some are quite a way)
- Call the airline for a disabled seat – I only found out recently you can call ahead and many airlines reserve seats for disabled people with more leg room and they can book an aisle seat, near to the toilet etc. if you need this. You don’t need to be registered disabled, you can just call up.
- Wear shoes that are comfortable and easy to slip on and off for the scanners.
- Upgrade if you can afford it – comfort, comfort, comfort!
- Flight socks – you don’t want any additional swelling if it can be avoided and you may want to put these on when leaving home if like me you’ll struggle to get them on by yourself.
- Medication list on official paperwork – repeat prescription list or on headed paper from your GP in case you get challenged by security/customs.
Hand luggage:
- All medication (you don’t want that lost if your main luggage goes missing).
- Neck-brace/pillow.
- Layers of clothing including scarf if your neck or shoulders are affected.
- Heat patches are great if you find heat soothing as they last ages.
- Lip balm and eye drops, glasses (rather than contacts), especially if you suffer with dry eyes.
- Cooling foot gel – great if your feet and ankles swell up.
Main luggage:
- Super comfy and supportive footwear.
- Any joint supports/braces you may find helpful.
- Comfy and easy to put on clothes for days when you’re struggling.
- All your usual bits including the most important; camera and note book – memories, memories, memories!
Meet other friendly folk on Arthur’s Place Social, our Facebook Group
(Any opinions expressed in this blog are not necessarily shared by Arthur’s Place. Nothing that you read in this blog constitutes medical advice.)
