I thought it was a good idea to have a topic for travel and welcome any information or tips anyone can give the forum, me especially for international flying ie long haul. I found the last two recent trips (short flights) affected my hands severely and I am nervous as I am travelling from New Zealand to Boston and then Maine for October.
LindaK I believe you may be able to help me with some advice.
Thanks
Wendy
A couple of tips that might help:
I always try to get an aisle seat so I can more easily get up and move around periodically. It helps me a lot not to have to stay in one position too long.
I have some simple yoga exercises that I can do to help keep joints from getting stiff. For my hands, I have a couple of about 2 inch quartz balls that I manipulate in different patterns to help keep my hands from getting stiff. It works better than a strictly repetitive motion.
I also take an extra dose of advil or something equivalent before the flight to help reduce inflammation during the flight. I take it whether I'm having any pain or not as a preventative measure.
Also, drink lots of water to keep from getting dehydrated.
Hi Wendy,
When I have to make a long trip I pack a medicine bag that I take on board with me. It has all my prescriptions, saline spray for my nose and any possible medicine I might need. If you do this, make sure all your meds are in the origional containers and any prescriptions in their origional ones too. If I'm taking enbrel which is refrigerated, I also pack some food in the same kit. You can pack a bottle of water in the same bag. I haven't done this since they really clamped down on liquids on the airlines. Next, I pack a little portable inflatable pillow for my neck.I have another portable pillow for behind my back. The medicine kit I can put under my feet. Later, I put my feet on the floor alternating my position. I ask to board early and get an aisle seat so I can get up and move frequently. I use the space at the back of the plane to do some exercises mid flight.This last trip I bought a folding cane that really saved the day on long sightseeing days. Of course you'll want a suitcase on wheels. Pack as light as you can.Use a fanny pack or very light handbag on the shoulder. I often had my husband carry by handbag if I was tired or using a cane. If I bring one that's not too feminine he doesn't mind. If you are apt to get tired pushing a suitcase, you can request an escort to drive you in a cart, or wheelchair. I have a pair of fingerless stretch gloves with velcro wrist straps that I put on when I have to push my suitcase. I immagine they would help with swelling and hand pain during the flight.
Most of all, just go. The adreneline of an adventure is like a shot of cortisone and gives you an energy boost.
Thanks so much, some excellent tips there. I went and asked for a window seat thinking it would give me more room! I can still change it tho.
Thanks again
Wendy
Hi there, I would recommend requesting a bulkhead seat, I flew from London to LA this year and was given a bulkhead seat, it had bags more leg room as there is no one in front of you so I was able to stretch out and stand up easier.I have only been on a plane once, well, twice technically. Around trip from St. Louis to Phoenix, AZ, then back again. So I don't really have much air travel advice to give. I do know that I would probably go for an isle seat, that way, when you get up and down, you don't have to worry about stepping over people or possibly tripping on someone's feet. I do know that on any long trip, whether by plane, train, or automobile, it is always important to get up and stretch every now and then to keep from getting too stiff. But hey, look who I'm talking to! I'm sure you all know that. lol
But yeah, on another note, I HATE flying. I figure if God wanted us flying around, he would have given us wings! That trip I took to Phoenix and back, the whole time I was on the plane, all I wanted was for it to be over. And on the way back into St. Louis, we hit a winter snow storm and had horrible turbulence. Flying scares me to death and I avoid it at all costs. lol I suppose it's neccessary in some cases though. Just glad it's not something I have to do on any kind of regular basis. Besides, it is just ridiculously expensive. Can't remember for sure, but think my round trip ticket to Phoenix and back was like 3 or 4 hundred dollars!
Anyway, happy travels folks,
Jesse
I never had a problem with planes, my mom and I tried to count all the flights I've been on once..we got stuck at 62. LOL And that was back when I was 15. I also never had a problem with rollercoasters, or car trips...etc, etc. Until late in highschool, when I was about 17. Suddenly I found myself being hauled out of the state fair by my friends after nearly passing out from a spinny-ride. :/ Ever since then, I've had to battle vertigo and extreme motion sickness. Which puts me next to the window to help aleveate(sp?) the symptoms. So it's either aisle seat and cater to the RA, or window seat and cater to the vertigo. I prefer not puking...oh well!postamble()Best tip:
Sit first class....especially on international flights.
I was on a United plane that flew me back from a deployment to the middle east and was lucky enough to have friends in high places that got me and my guys in the good seats. It flew from Qatar, to Germany, and then to Baltimore. The first class section we sat in had "pods" that would lie down completely flat, enough for me to lay comfortably in (I am 6'2").
-Jonathan
I think everyone has already covered most of the things I think of. Be sure you don't get overly chilled while traveling, since it can make your joints stiffen up. Bring some extra socks, a jacket, etc.! For the car, if you're a passenger, bring a couple of pillows to tuck under knees or behind your head (or under your hips) for cushioning. Oooo car traveling rocks. We like to stop at all(almost all) the wal-marts along the way. That way, we get a chance to walk around a bit, and if we need anything at all, they have it. I always wear like...gym pants when we travel, I can undo the tie if I need to and they don't cling to my legs. In the summer I wear flip flops or sandals, and pretty much end up riding barefoot. It's great on the feet! I always make sure to check how far back I can lean the seat before we leave. I make sure I can stretch out with the seat back if I have to. We always have a cooler inbetween us as well, and we keep lots of water and capri-suns. Seems like a silly thing for adults, but they really are convenient and just the right size for a thirst quencher. Typically, if its a LONG drive, we put our keys and wallets in the glove compartment, and stash my purse somewhere in the luggage. That way my feet aren't fighting it on the floor. The only thing I keep on the floor with me, is our CD case. We have one thats nice and tough too, and sometimes I put my feet on it. It's comfy :)