I have a very special wedding to go to on August 17, . My niece is getting married I have been looking forward to this wedding for a year now, my concern is it is 8 to 10 hours by car or fly. I see my Dr. next week I will ask her of course her opinion. I just don't want to end up in the hospital and I don't want to miss the wedding. A dilemma !!!!
I was wondering if you have had experience with traveling with a lupus flare??
I think talking to your doctor is a great ideal. Is their anyway you could leave a few days earlier to perhaps rest. I hope you have a wonderful and pain free trip. Please let us no how it goes.
I agree with purplebutterfly. it is always good to plan to rest dayssssssss in advance!
DO enjoy yourself!!!
I traveled a couple of months ago and my doc had no words of wisdom other than to rest before and after my trip. Fortunately I was going to visit my sister in St. Croix and had to agenda other than to rest and hang out. The trip was rough- 3 planes and 16 hours- and The first couple of days I was there, I stayed in bed. But it was so worth it. If you can have rest days built in, that would make things much easier on you. And don’t be afraid to ask for help if you fly (no, I didn’t ask but I should have!)
the best thing to do is make sure you get rest and if you are driving make sure you make time to stop-get out-and stretch your legs so a blood clot will not form, and on a plane you can get up and move your legs around. I've flown to Hawaii with the flight of 6hrs and it was nothing I thought, it was actually smooth. I put alarm on phone, got up on the hour and walked back and forth in the isle. Make sure you take all medications with you and be prepared for you not feeling well, planning is key. Hope you enjoy your niece's wedding.
And make sure to drink a lot of water, especially if you are flying
Thank you all so much !! I will post how I do if I get the green light to go!!
Please take care and do let us know, my husband wants to take me on a cruise in November for our anniversary and I'm not to sure about it.....................take care I look forward to knowing the results.....................BLESSINGS!!!!
Every once in a while my husband and I go to see my family in San Diego (5-6 hr. trip) or my husband's in Salt Lake (5-6 hr. trip) both by car. I don't fly, or haven't since my diagnosis, but have made adjustments to my time in the car.
I make what is essentially my own little cocoon to sleep most of the way. I put on a sleep mask, play soft music in my ear phones, use my neck pillow, recline my seat and use the travel time to rest up before the fun begins.
I can usually make at least 2-3 pretty good days before I have to spend the next one in the hotel sleeping the day away.
So far it's worked for me, but it's still a good idea to talk to your doc and get clearance to travel. I think the environment the you are travelling through as it may affect your symptoms.
I think it can be done. I plan on going to Maui in Jan for our anniversary and for this I will rest the days before, pack when I feel up to it, and listen to my body.
Enjoy your trip if you do decide to go.
DeAnne
If you fly you may want to ask for a wheelchair to help you get thru the airports, early boarding, etc. I have to because of my knee and back and it helps so much with the fibro and lupus too. Good luck. I am flying to CO in a couple of weeks to see our son so I can rest there if needed.
Hi,
Whenever we need to travel by car for 7 or 8 hours, she takes the steroid drug from the day before we travel and also after reaching the destination. Then we taper the dosage. This has helped us.
Karthik.
If you fly ask for transport (wheelchair or cart to gate) and early boarding. Book a non stop flight (if possible) or if a stop or transfer is needed get the transport!!!
Follow the recommendations about walking the aisles of the plane or at least flex your foot every half hour.
I prefer to arrive early so I have at least a day to lay in bed before any activities.
Driving is simpler because you don't have to deal with a lot of people. I find that interactions with others can be draining when I'm trying to stock up my energy reserves... Of course YOU shouldn't be doing the driving. Stop at least every 2 hours to stretch for about 10 minutes and remember to flex your feet often.
Enjoy this special day and ask for help. I explain to non-lupus savvy people that on a good day I start out with a quarter tank of gas and that has to last until bed time. This can help them understand that pushing myself uses up my tank faster...
Best Thoughts...
Hiya,
I too am planning on travelling, infact I am flying tonight to go away for five days. I think the most important thing for you to do is keep your stress levels down. The minute you start getting stressed over the situation your symptoms will increase. It might be an idea to write out a list of pros and cons of going to the wedding.
At the end of the day your health is the most important thing and therefore if you really feel unable to go then Im sure your niece will understand.
Flower
How exciting! A wedding! I just love weddings!
I am happy that you will be going and I agree with all the other members recommendations. But would suggest that you stop the vehicle about every hour and a half to get out and stretch your joints. Also remember, stick to your normal routine, eat well during the trip and get your normal required sleep time.
I just had a twenty day vacation with my husband that I will remember for the rest of my life. I had so much anxiety about going that right up to the last minute I wanted to stay at home. The what if’s played havoc on me. I got on the plane Despite my feelings. I took all my possible meds and medical history with me just in case. After we arrived at our destination we took road trips every other day. I had a blast. I saw six states in New England and Canada. I used the above tactics and it all worked out for me. Ya hooo! I can’t wait for next years vacation!
Go and enjoy I am sure you too will have a blast!
Deenie
I have decided not to go. I am having a lot of dizzy spells. The wedding is in the mountains of Santa Cruz, Ca very beautiful but I am not stable enough yet. There is family drama as well so when look at the whole picture I think I will do myself a favor stay home and continue healing. I will plan for a vacation later that is more in my control and I have a better understanding of what I am dealing with.
Thank you all so much, you all helped me make what I think is the most healthful decision:)
Flower, that was a rough decision but with the rest of the story it sounds like you made a very careful and wise decision. I'm sure many here have had to do the same type of thing. I have had to do that too. Prayers and hugs. Reet