Travelling
Travelling is an exciting time and having arthritis should not stop you from enjoying your trip and going on adventures! Here are a few ideas to help you travel smoothly, and to help you make the most out of your trip:
Be realistic
Plan a trip that takes into account your energy levels, and offers options for transportation. Knowing there are alternatives to a walking route can be enough to soothe any worries about a trip, as you have options no matter what you feel like on a certain day.
Eat well
One of the most exciting aspects of visiting a new place is trying the local cuisine! Make sure you keep to a varied diet with lots of veggies and fruits, and make sure you are following recommendations on what produce to choose in the area you are visiting. You can find advice to keep you safe on local tourist board offices, visiting the NHS ‘Fit for travel’ website, or speaking to a travel agent, particularly if you are visiting a foreign country. Sometimes it is advised to opt for cooked vegetables, to make sure all fruits are washed with bottled water and peeled, and that you only consume bottled drinks, to avoid tummy bugs and other contamination illnesses.
Vaccinations
If travelling abroad, it’s worth ensuring you are up-to-date with any travelling jabs. Some live vaccinations, for example yellow fever, are not safe if you are taking certain medicines for arthritis, so check with your rheumatology team if you have any questions before booking your travel vaccinations.
Medications
If you are on long-term medicines for arthritis, you will need to take these with you when you travel. Some injectable medicines need to be kept cool, so check with airlines in advance to see if facilities are available if you are going on a long flight, or you may be able to buy a cool bag to keep your injections in. It can be a good idea to take a paper copy of any prescriptions that you have when you travel just in case certain countries have any regulations about prescription medicines. For more information on travelling if you are taking immunosuppressant medicines visit the NHS website for immunocompromised travellers.
Flare up planning
Being in transit is exciting, but life can be tricky if you have a flare-up in an unfamiliar place. Plan ahead by researching available resources in your new destination. You can also prepare by packing essentials in your suitcase, such as water purifying tablets, rehydration salts, insect repellents, etc. It is always good practice tod map out what medical care you can receive should you need it, and noting where your nearby pharmacies are located, should they be needed.
Recovery time
Make sure you plan a little rest following your trip, so you can recharge your batteries. Sometimes that means adding an extra day of leave after your flight, before going back to your busy lifestyle.
Take lots of photos
Enjoy your holiday, look after yourself, and take a lot of photos to bring back home!