Long Flight Next Month

alyssanadine2
alyssanadine2 Member Posts: 16
edited 1. Apr 2013, 19:08 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hello

Wondering if anyone can offer some advice for a long haul flight!

I'm 23 and have JIA in a few joints but mainly my knee. Last year I was only taking Diclofenac when my knee got really bad. I was in Cuba for my sisters wedding and it was getting worse. By the time we got on the plane to go home my knee was a very interesting shape. 10 hours later when we got off the plane I could no longer walk. I had moved around as much as I could on a night flight.

Now, a year on from this I'm on Sulphasalazine (4 tablets a day) which I've been taking since August. It seems to be working well and I'm pretty much back to 'normal'.

I'm going to America on my own for 2 weeks next month and am starting to panic about the flight as I don't want a repeat of Cuba. Does cabin pressure affect arthritis or is it just because you're sat down for so long with not much room?

If anyone has any advice about long haul flights I'd be very greatful. I think the hotel I'm staying at for the first night has a Pool so I'll go for a swim to get moving again but not sure if I should take some anti inflammatories before I go?

Alyssa

Comments

  • joanne66
    joanne66 Member Posts: 25
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, i can only say how i got on with a flight to America last year. i have RA and am on metha, i do my exercises and wear pressure sox in flight. just dont expect to run to get your bag off the carousel.... :lol:
    jo
  • Buka
    Buka Member Posts: 43
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Aylissa,

    I flew to South Africa a few years back and like Joanne I wore pressure socks and moved regularly. I made sure I had an aisle seat as my flight was through the night and I didn't want to keep disturbing people. I made sure I stood up and moved around every 30 mins or so and it was all a lot better than I thought it would be. Yes I was stiff at the end of the flight and exhausted because with delays I was travelling for nearly 30 hours but I think that could have been how I felt anyway with or without the arthritis. My time in SA was tremendous and any discomfort with the flight was worth it! Hope all goes well and you have a great time!

    Buka
  • alyssanadine2
    alyssanadine2 Member Posts: 16
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you! I have flight socks so I'll definitely wear them and hopefully get on okay.
    I'll be walking a fair bit once I'm there so hopefully I'll loosen up its just the actual flight.
    6 weeks to go!