Long haul flying with arthritis.
Starburst
Posts: 2,546 ✭
As I slowly recover from my unidentified infection, I have distracted myself by thinking about my exciting 2016 holiday. My best friend and I are planning a road trip, starting in San Francisco and ending up in LA. This will be my biggest holiday ever and I'm doing it with arthritis, as sadly I have not yet found a way to leave it behind.
My main worry is the flight. The longest flight I've done is 5.5 hours and London to San Francisco is nearly double that. I know I will need a wheelchair as I step/hobble off the plane and I wear flight stockings but if anyone else has any tips, I'd be grateful. As we'll be doing a lot of driving, I may get stiff in the car too. I know I'll need to carefully balance moving enough but not too much. This is obviously going to be quite a costly adventure and I want to ensure that I plan enough to I get the most out of it.
Thanks in advance.
My main worry is the flight. The longest flight I've done is 5.5 hours and London to San Francisco is nearly double that. I know I will need a wheelchair as I step/hobble off the plane and I wear flight stockings but if anyone else has any tips, I'd be grateful. As we'll be doing a lot of driving, I may get stiff in the car too. I know I'll need to carefully balance moving enough but not too much. This is obviously going to be quite a costly adventure and I want to ensure that I plan enough to I get the most out of it.
Thanks in advance.
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Comments
In February I was lucky enough to go to New Zealand to visit my son......a 34 hour journey changing planes in Dubai and Sydney....and got lots of good advice from folks on here. Asking for assistance at the airport was a big deal for me , but made life so much easier as we didn't have to stand in queues in security, boarding etc, so I'd definitely consider contacting your airline ahead to arrange it.
On the plane try to get a seat with extra legroom if possible, or easier access to get in and out of the seat.....I chose a window seat and then struggled to get past other passengers to get into the aisle. During the flight try to move about regularly.......even if you just take a regular bathroom break!! Try to drink plenty of water too, the cabin air is really dry and drinking alcohol compounds dehydration. I took hand wash gel to use whenever I was touching toilet door handles etc to try and avoid germs because of the immune suppression that the drugs create. I also found moisturiser and lipsalve handy, my lips got really dry.
A friend suggested taking an extra drawstring bag within my hand luggage containing stuff I'd want on the plane such as my kindle, pain killers, wrist splints etc, I put it on the floor by my feet and it was really handy avoiding the need to stretch up and get stuff out of my hand luggage in the overhead locker.
If you plan to take lots of medication with you, you may need to take a letter from the doctor confirming that they are prescribed for you......New Zealand are really tight on what yoy can take in, but I have no idea what USA are like.
When we planned our holiday we sketched out the things we wanted to see and do, and tried to build in quieter days in between busy days so that I didn't get too fatigued, it worked quite well for us.
Sorry if this is a bit of an epistle, but hope some of the suggestions help.
Deb xxx
I think Deb covered most of the plane stuff. Do get wheelchair assistance if not taking one. Mind you, I would recommend taking one. They don't seem to have them available for use in supermarkets, museums etc.
Plane seats. Book, find out what sort of plane it is then go to www.seatguru.com . This gives a layout of the seats including better leg room and you can choose whatever suits you. In the usual 3-4-3 formation we tend to go for two in the centre block as that gets round having people clambering over you or vice versa. But some transatlantic planes have two window seats. If you can afford business class I envy you. It's heaven but we only did it once when upgraded due to the airline's delay.
Rather than Deb's drawstring bag I just carry a big handbag which takes passport, boarding cards, meds, tablet, wipes etc. Oh and a spare pair of knickers. Much appreciated this year when we were delayed in Amsterdam and had to spend the night in Atlanta.
Hold baggage for USA must be left unlocked and, if you've any liquids in it (eg my Gaviscon Advance) it will be opened. They're big on security.
I take most of my meds as hand luggage just in case. We've occasionally had baggage delayed but only for about 24 hours.
If you have a Blue Badge take it and I'll try to remember the website where you can download a bit of paper allowing you to use it.
Tipping is usually 10% over there. And all the notes look the same.
Barbara
I did an American roadtrip (around the middle bit) in March. I found the airport & security staff really helpful - I was using a crutch to get around then.
I had my medicine in my bag along with a prescription, and had no trouble.
As for the flight, I paid extra to book my seats in advance so could choose a 2 seater for me and my husband, so didn't have to worry about pushing past people etc... I just made sure to get up and stretch regularly. And fidgeted a lot! It wasn't comfortable but it wasn't horrific. To be honest it felt just as bad as day at work in an office.
I have actually been to the USA before but many years ago, when I was well enough to pound the streets of New York for a week and young enough to use my mum's credit card for the vast amounts of money I spent.
Numpty x
I try to go for a little walk around every hour or so just to help with stiffness, I usually go and stand by the door around the toilets and have a chat with other fellow passengers who are walking around the cabin. It also helps the time pass I find.
Will you be taking any medication with you that needs to be kept cool? If so you must have all of the original packaging or customs won't be happy. I made that mistake one in 2007 and luckily I took a photocopy of my prescription which was enough to make them happy.
And the most important thing.....Relax and enjoy every second!
Within 2 days of coming back everything is inflamed again and much worse.
I did suffer on the plane on the way home with the trip from Bangkok to Abu Dhabi (6.5 hours) with sciatica however, but then managed to sleep from Abu Dhabi to Manchester.
Enjoy it, don't worry. As long as you have health insurance , I am sure the sun will do you the world of good!