FibroFolksofSeattle

I used to be too ashamed to do certain things when traveling until I decided to take the word shame out of my vocabulary. I am now abstinent from shame and better off for it. It makes a tremendous difference in my overall mental and physical health whether I'm traveling or not. WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK OF ME IS NONE OF MY BUSINESS!

Travel tips:

If you've got a handicap placard, take it with you. You can use it in other locations and other people's cars (and countries).
I use a seatbelt adjuster made by SafeFit that I take with me to use in other people's cars which keeps their shoulder belts from cutting my neck.
I keep my packing list on my computer (and my PDA) so I can always add to it when I think of it. And I'm always adding to it. I have two lists, one for my overnight bag, and one for my check-in. Here's what my overnight says: Overnight bag: dust mask, TMJ appliance, cane w/seat + folding cane, handicap sticker, Bucky, sunglasses, decaf tea, iced green tea mix, raw sugar, rice milk, meds, Nasacort, phone, camera (memory stick?), chargers 4 phone/ camera, traveler checks, tix rcpt (w/conf. code), reading mat'l, food, jewelry, baseball cap, pix, meds list, walkie- talkies, ditty bags, flashlight/ alarm clock, wheels. My regular suitcase List of things to pack: Capris, tops, shorts, underwear/bras, dress&pantsuit, sweater, jeans, dancing shoes, evening purse, nylons, socks, swimsuit, overshirt, airbed, nightclothes, pads & tampons, hair doodahs, h2o bottle, makeup, Starbucks coffee. (Sorry guys if this is TMI, but us gals need to remember these kinds of things. Believe me, I've gone off and forgotten underwear, etc.)
I spread packing over 2 or 3 days. (It isn't much to do, but it's *really* easy when spread out.)
I usually don't have to use a cane, but I always use one when I travel. One, it helps with balance when I've got things slung over my shoulder. I, also, usually go the wheelchair assistance route, but I also carry more than I should, and that's where the cane comes in handy. I also have a cane that makes into a seat (about $30 at any medical supply store) and it's invaluable anywhere you might have to stand in a line, like an airport, waiting in a rental car agency, bus, tram line, etc. I don't travel without it, even if I do use the wheelchair. Plus I have a folding cane, and I tuck that into my overnight bag and use it after I get to my destination.
When I go to an amusement park or any other sort of fun, all day place, I spring for a motorized wheelchair. I used to try to make it with just my sitting cane, but I find that if I use the wheelchair to zoom around I can then use my limited energy to enjoy myself in between destinations. I used to worry about what people thought when I got out of the chair and played, but see my first paragraph.
I will be exhausted when I go somewhere, so I try to build in extra time for rest, at least 2 days going by plane.
Always carry your medications, jewelry and electronic equipment on your body. DO NOT CHECK IT IN or you will likely never see it again. Always have a change of underwear with you on the way there in case your luggage gets lost going. If I can swing it, I carry on as much as possible going, and then check it in coming back. I don't care if they lose it on the way home. I know I have clothes at home I can wear. I hate getting to a location and having nothing to wear. I went to my 1st husband's 10th high school reunion (1983) in a place without a mall and he forgot to pick up our garment bag so I had nothing to wear. I ended up in a peasant blouse and dirndl skirt from some shop in a store in Los Alamos, NM. It was not a pretty sight. Now before the car leaves the driveway I check the list on my PDA one last time.
Airlines recommend you carry all your meds in your carry-on. If they're bulky, filling a bag, THAT BAG DOESN"T COUNT. One of our little privileges for being sick. Go for it. Verify on the phone before you get to the airport, but this has been my experience.
Because air really is recirculated on the plane, I ALWAYS wear a dust mask like you saw everyone wearing during the SARS scare. That was the only time I traveled that I didn't feel like a freak. But since I started wearing one I don't come home with icky symptoms like colds, flus, chills, sneezing, stuffed up nose, aches, etc., at least not more than usual, okay, not more than I get from just traveling. Hubby gets a cold at least half the time he travels. I also take Wellness Formula from Source Naturals, as well as Oprah's favorite new thing, which I've been taking for some time, which is a fizzy drink you mix from a tablet called Airborne Formula, which you can now get at just about any pharmacy. I get Wellness at Seattle Super Supplements. Both of them are for your immune system and I swear by them.
I also have a Bucky that I use for my lumbar back when I travel, and then it replaces my buckwheat hull pillow when I travel. It tucks into the pillow case of whatever pillow I use at my destination and gives me enough of the buckwheat sensation that I can get the support I need for my neck and head without messing up my TMJ and I don't have to carry my whole buckwheat hull pillow (which I have done on occasion).
The "wheels" in my list are the foldable wheels that you use to pull your luggage. I also have luggage that has wheels, but if I have too many pieces and my partner isn't traveling with me, then I just stack them all together and go.
Because I eat organic foods as much as possible, and some locations don't have organic foods, I carry some items with me that I know won't be available. I also investigate shops on the other end where I can pick up some staples once I get there, or ask people to pick things up for me. Since I'm lactose intolerant, but can have goat milk, that's one thing I need at my location, or I need to carry powdered goat milk. I'm also pretty picky about my coffee, plus I like a particular iced green tea mix. Lots of little plastic bags.
I pack most everything in plastic bags, plus I pack extra plastic bags. They always come in handy. I've also become a fan of those luggage packs that you put your clothes in and then squeeze the air out of. Those saved me a lot of space on my last trip, speaking of plastic bags.
I packed an extra tote bag in all that extra space, which allowed me to carry the extra stuff back that I got at my destination. I ALWAYS come back with more than I start with. Airlines are getting very, very picky about how much you can carry on. They're also weighing your check-in baggage, and measuring your carry-on baggage, so make sure that you check with your airline to see that you have what they will allow. Alaska allows two check-in bags per passenger, plus one carry-on plus one personal item like a purse or briefcase or laptop (guys have a break - they can carry a briefcase AND a laptop - we get a purse and a laptop, or a purse and a briefcase, but not a purse, and a briefcase and a laptop. BUMMER).
TAKE A SWIMSUIT. BOOK A HOTEL WITH A JACUZZI if you can. I've cancelled hotel reservations and/or moved from one hotel to another if the Jacuzzi didn't work or they didn't have a Jacuzzi. If staying with friends I feel guilty, but each night and each morning I fill up the tub with hot water and soak. Epsom salts or sea salts are a big help, or special spa salts if you've got them (a cup of Epsom salts or sea salt is cheaper and does the same thing, just doesn't smell as nice). If you're in a hotel and don't feel like going down to the Jacuzzi or forgot your suit, fill the tub with water & use the shampoo from the little bottle (if you know you're not allergic) as bubble bath and settle in for a good soak. If all else fails, a hot shower will wear away some of the pain for me.
Take off and landing puts your body through extreme changes in pressure. Think of the changes of barometric pressure of the storms that pass through here during the spring and multiply by a bunch. That's what happens when you change altitude by thousands of feet per minute. Lots of trauma on your body. Be prepared to hurt, if not immediately, at least the next day or two to three days later for up to a week or more. I'm just aware of it and expect to be achy, like when the spring storms come through.
If the people there haven't seen you the way you are now, try to prepare them as much as possible. They still won't understand, but try. Don't sugarcoat it. When you get there, don't try to keep up with them. Don't try to make excuses. It is what it is. You're doing the very best you can. You don't owe them anything. You're doing a fantastic job at managing your life. They can accept you the way you are now. Or not. Their choice. Do what you need to do to take care of you.
You'll want to do all the things you're used to doing. Plan on doing about 1/2 of what you used to do. Then do about 1/2 of that. REALLY. Choose what is really important. Is it a special food? A special place? A special person? Or persons? What can be done most easily? Together? Think it through beforehand so you're not blindsided by it. But don't overthink it, either.
I use earplugs in the airport, on the plane, on any shuttles. I can still hear someone talking to me and can talk to them. But I'm not assaulted by the huge levels of noise & confusion.
I reserve a wheelchair at both airports, both ways, through the airline. This is free, and comes with a person to push it wherever you want to go. It gets you (and whoever is traveling with you) through security much faster, and saves energy you'd spend walking and carrying stuff. And there's just less confusion for me when somebody else is doing the driving. :) I usually give each wheelchair person a $5 tip - it adds $20 to the whole trip but saves my energy enormously and makes them happy too.
I got an around-the-neck wallet at a thrift store - put my ticket & ID & separated folded $5 bills in it and I'm set to go, don't have to think or anything. Yes!
From a friend with CFIDS - I lie down on the floor as soon as I get to the gate. (Being upright stresses my body a lot - and I have to sit up on the plane, so I don't waste upright time waiting at the gate.) I do verify that I'll get to pre-board - SO much easier than dealing with the crowd!
When I arrive wherever I'm headed (hotel/house), the first order of business is to lie down, eyes shut, quiet - for at least 15 minutes. This makes a huge difference.
Using a power wheelchair when they�re available and not being ashamed of it.

Go. Be Loved. Have Fun. Most of all, take care of yourself and make sure that you let others know that you are going to take care of yourself, and they will take care of you, too. And smack anyone who says, but you DON'T LOOK SICK!