LymeNet Flash: Traveling tips??

This is topic Traveling tips?? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by CherylSue (Member # 13077) on :

Next week we're scheduled to visit my brother and sister-in-law for a relaxing week's vacation. The flight is two 1/2 hours long, and I'm usually very nervous during the flight and it takes me a couple of days to recover when I'm well. Now I'm in a relapse, but I don't want to cancel the trip to family.

My question: Traveling tips to make it easier? ex. I just reserved a wheelchair at curbside checkin with the airline.

Any supplements that I can take to relax? The trip is in the late morning, my worst time.

Thanks for your input.

CherylSue

Posted by Sojourner (Member # 9424) on :

We travel to our llmd in Ct and my daughter especially has a hard time with the flight. Here's what we do.

1. Take some melatonin the night before so you get some well needed rest before the big event.

2. Stay hydrated before during and after the flight (air travel will suck the H2O right out of you)

3. Take some snacks for the airport and flight (we take high protein/no sugar snack bars, maybe a bit of fruit). God knows the airline won't feed you--but who ever wanted to eat that stuff anyway?

4. Finally, if anxiety is reeeally a problem (as it is for my daughter--a new thing that she acquired from lyme) procure a bit of xanax and only take 1/2 of a pill. This way it will be just enough to take the edge off, but you will not be a zombie.

That's the best I could do..........have fun on your trip!

Posted by CherylSue (Member # 13077) on :

Thanks, Sojourner, for the tips. Good ideas.

I hope your daughter is improving. She'll be in my prayers.

CherylSue

Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :

an airline stewardness is one of our members, he had outstanding tips; they are in my newbie package of info.

a few i can remember is:

take along DISPOSABLE GLOVES FOR EVERY TIME YOU USE THE BATHROOM!!! DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING IN THERE...FILTHY W/GERMS!!!

i'd take along my own HEADREST COVER; not theirs!

a small neckrest pillow; a deck of cards to pass the time. a good LYME book! or other reading you never get too.

good luck; glad you arranged wheelchair transporttion.... have fun.

take EAR PLUGS if noise gets to you; your sunglasses, and perhaps a face mask in case people are coughing near you or WEARING PERFUME/SMOKER'S CLOTHING, so you can BREATH! [Wink]

Posted by CherylSue (Member # 13077) on :

Thanks, Betty G. I like the one about the disposable gloves..

CherylSue

Posted by victoria (Member # 11267) on :

Another thing is not to have the air that blows to you open. It is recycled air throughout the cabin and can end up getting you sicker than you already are. So keep the vent closed.

Wear something comfortable and bring along something to do... I always bring a game or a Sudoku book or something to keep my mind off the fact that I am flying.

Best Wishes!

Posted by daisys (Member # 11802) on :

Sorry, Victoria, to disagree with you. I usually don't like to post anything negative.

My husband turned my air vent off thinking it was making me cold, and I almost passed out. There just wasn't enough oxygen without that direct source, and all the air in the cabin will evenually be recirculated anyway.

I'm with you about the comfortable clothes and sudoku!

Posted by njlymemom (Member # 15088) on :

I agree about the air flow.....I needed that air vent on coming home a few weeks ago. On our flight going, it was turned off and I felt like I couldn't get enough air in me. I hadn't flown in years and didn't realize the vent should have been open until it was too late.

Ear plugs is a great idea, the constant noise of the plane doesn't seem to bother anyone but me in my group....I am extremely sensitive to noise.

We use a product called Seabands.....I am not selling or endorsing this....it just works for us. Sold in pharmacies....we first used them on a cruise years ago....and then found that they work for car rides too. One of my daughters used it on the plane and it helped when the plane was changing altitude.

We pack our own trail mix.....mostly nuts.....and a bottled water purchased in the airport.

Hope you have a wonderful trip [hi]