tdtid
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10276
posted
I've been on treatment for 15 months and in the fall, I had started reaching a point that I was definitely feeling better and wanted to try to grab part of my life back.
With the permission of my LLMD we booked a three week vacation (2 of the weeks on a cruise ship) to South America.
I've had lots of ups and down from that time until now. But the time has come and I'm struggling more now than when I booked it.
My LLMD had said to do all I can but also rest when I can and since it was a cruise ship with sea days, this sounded like a good option.
But we leave this coming WEDNESDAY and I'm sitting here wondering how I get the stamina just to pack. With this said, last week I was doing alright, so I know it will just be a juggling act.
Basically I'm not going anywhere that needed any form of immunizations this time since that was really my only stipulation with the LLMD. So the southern part of South America is it. Chile, Argentina and Uruguay.
I've got the travel insurance with pre-existing conditions but don't plan to use it. Even now, I have the whole pharmacy for any symptom that could hit, so not much help I'd get from an ER anyway, so I'm holding my breath and hoping for the best.
As I always say, I can rest in my own bed or I can rest in a hotel or cruise ship bed. The cruise will have better scenery with the balcony and ocean and I know I shouldn't be down and out the entire three weeks so should have some good days.
But I was wondering if others have done any foreign travel after being on treatment for a year and if so, do you learn any first hand tips that you could pass on?
I've traveled 5 continents quite extensively, so not a stranger to foreign places. Infact, I'm passionate about this. But since this will be my first trip out of the country since my diagnosis and treatment, I'm wondering if others can share some ideas on how to make this go as smoothly as possible.
Cathy
-------------------- "To Dream The Impossible Dream" Man of La Mancha Posts: 2638 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Oct 2006
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
Cathy,
Have fun!
I always feel much better when I'm on vacation. I don't know if it is the relaxation or being away from all the toxins in the U.S. The food is often fresher and there are sometimes less cleaning chemicals outside of the U.S.
My biggest advice is to take your medications in the bottles, just in case there is a question at customs. I usually keep what I need, plus a few days, in the bottles and then leave the rest at home in marked tupperware or plastic baggies.
Also, carry your medication and supplements on the plane with you. Make sure that they are always kept some place cool.
Some countries have air conditioning in hotels set up so that the room key needs to be in a slot for the air to be on. Or they turn air off when they clean your room. Also, make sure they have air conditioning in all your hotels if you are going to where it is warm.
Always make sure you have lots of bottled water with you and keep yourself hydrated. I find when I get dehydrated is when I start to feel worst on vacations. And don't drink tap water or ice when you are off the ship. Your body will be more sensitive to bacteria than other people.
Again, have fun! Remember to pace yourself.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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tdtid
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10276
posted
Aniek,
Thank you for your advice. Remembering the bottled water will be especially important. I already have all the meds packed and in original bottles.
And although I KNOW I need to have that water to keep flushing out my system, it's one of those things I could see getting slack on, so thanks for the reminder.
I think my biggest fear is that this anxiety is going to get the best of me. I'm just feeling so darn fatigued and deep down I know I'm probably not as well as I wish I could be for making this trip.
And yet, sometimes we get this fear that we may not have tomorrow, so we push hard to do the things we once loved.
I am hoping the change of scenery will help give strength, but my racing heart has me feeling like I'm running marathons when doing nothing. Guess it's just a form of panic I've never experienced over something I use to do so regulary.
But I can do this...just don't want to let anyone down.
Cathy
-------------------- "To Dream The Impossible Dream" Man of La Mancha Posts: 2638 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Oct 2006
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Marz
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3446
posted
Cathy, I went through pre-trip jitters when I travlled overseas by myself last fall.
Yes, I think just getting away and getting my mind off myself helped.
But, I also used a prescription of clonazapan I had filled a long time before but had rarely used. I took .25 mg 3 times a day during the trip. I find this takes away pain and kept me calm.
I also used ambien at night.
And I took a big dose of Wobenzyme on an empty stomach once a day.
Hope you have a great trip!
Posts: 1302 | From USA | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
My Lyme always gets much worse just before a vacation/trip. I get worried about how I will manage. Then when I'm on my way, my symptoms improve and I feel the way I was feeling before I prepared for trip. Must be the stress or excitement of coming trip.
Ellen
Posts: 25 | From northeast | Registered: Feb 2001
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tdtid
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10276
posted
Marz,
Thanks again for the tips. I had been given those two meds back when I was told this was just "fibromyalgia" but have been told I can use them with my current lyme meds "as needed". Sounds like I'll want to bring them along, "as needed" for this as well.
Glad to hear this anxiety is semi normal. I just don't get it since I seriously have traveled this entire globe, but dang, first trip since this lyme diagnosis and I'm acting like a baby.
I should be excited today since I leave tomorrow, but I'm a bucket of nerves. Ugh.
Glassgal,
And thanks for your optomistic view. Hopefully once I get there I too will RELAX and enjoy. It really shouldn't be a stressful trip at all and has many sea days for relaxing between seeing some new places.
So I'll hold on to your thought and hopefully I too will settle down once I see my body isn't jerking out on me. The unknown is the hardest. Can wake up one day walking spastically and then next, like nothing was wrong. Ugh.
Thanks again for the help and will be back here in three weeks. Don't trash the place while I'm gone.
Cathy
-------------------- "To Dream The Impossible Dream" Man of La Mancha Posts: 2638 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Oct 2006
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