What Is Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic (chronic) health condition that causes tenderness and pain all over your body. It can cause muscular skeletal discomfort and fatigue.
Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes pain in your muscles as well as joints in your entire body. It can also cause you to feel tired and can result in mental symptoms such as memory issues. Experts aren’t sure about the causes of fibromyalgia, and there’s no cure for it.
However, an experienced healthcare professional can assist you in finding ways to manage your symptoms. People who have fibromyalgia typically suffer from symptoms that come and go during periods known as flare-ups. Sometimes, it can be overwhelming and challenging to deal with fibromyalgia symptoms. The fluctuation between feeling great and experiencing increased symptoms can be overwhelming. Fibromyalgia can be natural, and so is the way you think.
Experts aren’t sure what causes the condition, but studies have revealed that some health conditions, stress, and other changes in your life could cause it. When one of your parents suffers, you may be more susceptible to developing fibromyalgia.
Any new discomfort you feel in your body is usually the first sign of fibromyalgia, especially in your muscles. Be sure to listen to your body. Please consult a doctor when experiencing new fatigue, pain, or other symptoms, even when it feels like they’re not there for a while.
Traveling With Fibromyalgia
Traveling long distances with Fibromyalgia can be a challenge. You may be wondering, “Does flying affect Fibromyalgia?“
Traveling can significantly stress those with Fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. With careful planning, you could be better off avoiding many common pitfalls and symptom flares they cause.
As I’ve seen it, this is the case. It’s, therefore, worth the time to prepare for flights with chronic pain to minimize the symptoms as much as possible.
In this article, I discuss pain management and offer tips for those traveling with chronic pain issues like Fibromyalgia. With a bit of planning, it is possible to do!
Why Flying Affects Fibromyalgia
It’s not easy to fly for people with Fibromyalgia. The most straightforward shift in atmospheric pressure could cause worsening symptoms in some individuals.
Furthermore, sitting up and remaining in the same place can be painful. It is also easy to dehydrate, which can cause more symptoms.
However, there are a few tricks I’d like to share to make traveling with chronic pain easy. These are based on my personal experiences. I hope they will help you as well.
Important Tips If You Experience Chronic Pains While Flying
Planning Ahead
Stress equals more problems, so it is essential to plan your trip as well as you can to minimize anxiety during your journey.
If you’re flying but aren’t using a rental car, search for alternatives to get from the airport to your hotel. Does your hotel offer a shuttle service? Does the airport have a shuttle service? What are the hours they operate?
If you’re using an electric wheelchair, it is essential to be thinking ahead.
You will want to attend dining out, so make reservations. The more people you have in your party, the more crucial that is. For those who have allergies to food, It’s recommended to read menus in advance also.
Try To Split Up Your Travel Where Possible
Doing everything at once can cause an acute flare-up of chronic pain.
I suggest taking more time to travel and dividing your trip whenever possible.
Packing
Make a list of all the items you’ll need to bring. Be sure to include your medications and other items that will help ease symptoms. This list can be beneficial in determining the things you need to use up to the very last minute.
Review the list before you leave to ensure you remember something important, such as your toothbrush or pillow left behind.
Make Sure Your Immune System Is Strong Before Flying
A plane’s air is partially circulated. It is possible to contract a cold when someone coughs and splutters while on an airplane.
It’s happened many times and could be considered an unintentional coincidence.
Therefore, ensure your immunity is as robust as possible before taking off. Strategies to boost your immune system include eating healthy (which you should be doing anyway) and increasing your zinc and vitamin C intake.
Wear Comfortable Clothes
An easy-going dress made of cotton, stretchy leggings, comfy sneakers, and a cozy cardigan could be your ideal outfit to fly.
There is nothing more painful than clothes getting caught in and creating discomfort. Wearing loose-fitting clothes is essential if you wish to be as pain-free as possible.
Airplanes can also differ in temperature; you could be freezing one moment and excessively hot the following. So, it is advisable to wear layers.
You can also bring some soft socks to bed to remove your shoes and keep your feet warm and cozy.
Take Your Food
Suppose you adhere to a specific diet to ease the symptoms of Fibromyalgia, e.g. dairy or gluten-free. In that case, you can request the airline ahead of time for a meal that meets your diet requirements. But let’s face the facts the food on planes could be better!
Nothing stops you from bringing your food and beverages on board (even if you don’t adhere to any food restrictions).
You can carry most of your solid food items on an airplane. However, you must ensure that all liquids (including sauces for food) are put in containers of 100ml or less and placed in a resealable transparent plastic bag to pass through security.
There could be restrictions on meat and dairy products, so double-check with the airport to see what is permitted.
Having plenty of healthy snacks at hand means you don’t have to go for long periods without food. This will help check your blood sugar levels and avoid crashes.
Pack A Travel Pillow
It’s a fact. Airplane seats are uncomfortable.
Plane seats do not provide the best back support, so having a pillow in your luggage bag to put in the lower part of your back improves your posture and reduces the pain.
You could get neck support, but the pillows for travel that fit around your neck may need to be more effective as they can be filled so that they pull your neck forward.
Move As Often As You Can
When you fly, stretch regularly and, if you can climb up, walk between the plane and up and down. Sitting in one place for long periods is not the best option for anyone suffering from chronic pain. Moving is essential.
Pack Pain Medication
Make sure you bring along your usual pain medication when you take them. Before you travel, determine whether you must present an official medical note or certificate at the airport security, and make sure that the drug is legal in the state you’re traveling to.
Talking to your doctor before traveling could be worthwhile to determine if additional medications are beneficial. If you don’t typically take pain medication, you must speak with your doctor to ensure you have them on hand in case you require them.
Massage Sore Areas
It can bring some relief to massage the areas that are sore and painful during the flight. If you can’t do this on your own, you will likely have a travel companion to help you.
Schedule Rest Period on Your Fibromyalgia
Jet lag isn’t fun for anyone, and when you combine jet-lag and Fibromyalgia, it can cause you to feel tired.
My top suggestion is to prepare for rest days before your destination. The number of rest days you will need will depend on your preferences and requirements.
Plan a break time during your vacation. It may seem an unnecessary time-waster, but it can keep you feeling good enough to enjoy your time. It’s better to be flexible instead of cancelling many plans because you need more time.
Resting is crucial for when you return home, too. Make it a point to take an extra day or two following your return to relaxation and recovery before jumping back into your routine.
