Flying with Fibro

Flying is stressful, period. Getting to the airport, getting through security checks, getting to the right gate, getting on with all your carry-ons, all of these things are stressful for able-bodied people, much less people with body aches and pains from debilitating illnesses like fibromyalgia!

Add to that the stress of packing, making sure you have everything you need, and the general stresses of making sure that if you're traveling with other people, they're where they need to be and have what they need to have packed, and that the people picking you up are going to be there, or that your car rental is going to be ready, and it's a wonder that your head doesn't explode before you even get to the airport!

However, starting way before your trip to the airport to get on the plane, you can do things to make your trip easier for yourself.

Make lists. Before your trip, depending on what you are doing, brainstorm with your traveling partner or with a good friend on what you'll need to take and write it all down. Write down everything you can think of, because you can always cross things off later. Yes, even write down clothes. Write down how much clothing you'll think you'll need, just because you can. Write it all down and then go over the list again with someone else, a different person from your initial brainstorm buddy. Discuss with them your travel arrangements, where you're going, and then go over the list and see what you can cross off. Naturally, listen to their advice, but make the final call yourself.

I recommend doing this step at least a week before your trip, so that you can take your time with packing, and if you change your mind about something, you can pull it from your bag. I also recommend packing most of what you want to take with you into one larger check-in bag, and carrying only one change of clothing, and necessary medications, books to keep you occupied, and other very important things with you. (Laptops, things like that.) Taking as little as possible will help you in the long run- you won't hurt yourself carrying too much around, and should you lose your check-in luggage, you will have your change of clothing in your carry-on.

Do not forget to put one change of clothing in the carry on!

I generally keep a change of underwear and a fresh shirt or two in the carry on, and just wear jeans on the plane, because I can wear jeans for a day or two, should my luggage vanish. Thankfully, I consider having the change of clothing a good luck charm, because I have never (knock on wood) had my luggage lost. But still- better safe than sorry!

If you begin packing a week or five days or so in advance, you will have your bag packed and ready by the day you need to leave. You'll know what you're taking, and what you're wearing, and where everything is going. I recommend taking paperwork from your prescriptions, though I usually take only enough for the trip. Most pharmacies will print the information out for you if you let them know what you need it for. (I take the printouts and the pills in my daily pill dispenser.) I don't usually take the bottles just because they take up a lot of room, and it's not an absolute requirement, as long as you have the paperwork showing that you have prescriptions for the medications. (The paperwork describes the pill, so if it came under question, you could show each pill and the paperwork for that pill. On the other hand, I rarely take my laptop on planes. It's just safety. Nine times out of ten, when I am flying, where I am going there is a computer- so, I email myself any relevant files, and just leave the laptop behind. If you are taking it, I'd recommend only taking that bag and a book bag or very small duffel. The less you carry the less you have to worry about, and the less potential for shoulder/back pain you'll run into.

I carry one bag- my book bag- and stuff my purse into it so that I don't have to even worry about that. (I get my ID out ahead of time when it's necessary, but other than that I never open the book bag other than to get a book out or change books.)

Now. Here's where I differ from the security recommendations. Unless you are heading into one of the major airports, you may not have to arrive 2 hours early for your flight. For example. If you are going to a regional airport, you may not need to arrive that much early. Many of the smaller regional airports are so small that you can still arrive only an hour early and get to your flight in plenty of time. However- and you knew there was a catch, right? Always call first!

I recommend taking the day before you are leaving off, if you work and you have the vacation time, so that you can make sure your house is clean and you have everything ready for the day. Coming home to a clean house is always easier and nicer than coming home to a dirty house! Naturally, don't do too much! You need to be rested, as hydrated as you can make yourself, and prepared mentally for the trip. It may seem silly, but it will help. I also recommend coming back a day before you need to, so that you can rest and be prepared to return to the grind. Finally, ensure that you have confirmations on any reservations you have needed. Confirm your flight one last time, your hotel and/or car if you needed them, or call the people that you are staying with to ensure everything is ready and waiting. Also check with the people picking you up from the airport, if those arrangements are made with different folks. Just to ensure everything is in order.

Back to the airport...

Once you know how much time you need to give to your arrival, make certain that your ride can get you there on time, if not a little early if you are catching a ride. If you are driving yourself, make sure that you know the parking lot and how to navigate it. If you are at all unsure, call. Better to do that than to end up parking in short term parking when you need long term, or vice versa!

Finally, if you have a transfer, make certain at your check in that you know which gate your transfer flight will be leaving from, and double check at your arrival gate! Often, these things change for one reason or another, and it is better to be safe than to miss a flight! If you need assistance to get there, do not be afraid to ask for it when you first get your ticket. That's what they're there for! Even if you believe that you do not need assistance, I have found, because we fibromites need to move slower than most able bodied people, carrying a cane can be beneficial in a crowded airport. You will get less nasty looks while you creep along to your destination, and people will move out of your way rather than trying to push past you. It may seem silly and unnecessary, but it will help, trust me.

Once you are at your gate, I recommend getting some water to hydrate yourself. Flying dehydrates a body, and we are more susceptible to pain when dehydrated. Finally, I also recommend setting it up so that you can call and check in with your ride, if you are being picked up. That way, you can fill them in if your flight is delayed for weather or hardware issues, and you can make sure they are going to be there to pick you up on time.

Finally, once you are at your destination, make certain that you have all your confirmation numbers handy if you are picking up a car or checking into a hotel, and then go on and enjoy your vacation! I generally don't unpack, simply so I can keep things where I know they'll be, so that I don't forget something on the way home. Though I do, if we stay in a hotel, use the bag they provide for "dry cleaning" to put my dirty clothes in to keep them away from the clean clothes.

I also write down a list of everything I have, so that I can check it off when I'm packing up to leave. Finally, when leaving, I do pretty much the same pattern of things I do when I am arriving. I also try to pack even more into the checked baggage, since it doesn't matter as much if the bag gets lost, since I will be home and have plenty of clothing at home. I try to carry only a few paperback books (I read quickly) and my purse onto the plane.

Once home, I rest and try to take it very easy for as many days as I can, and work back into a routine. I realize that many of you will have to go back to work after a day of rest, but do try to take it easy the first few days back, particularly if you've been on vacation during winter months and you've been in a more summery climate. (Try to stay as warm as possible in that case!) Also, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

Hopefully these tips will help you make flying less painful, even if it isn't exactly fun.