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Traveling with arthritis. Any tips??

Posted , 5 users are following.

f70804
f70804

Hi there...

I have fairly recently diagnosed arthritis (6monyhs now) Originally diagnosed as reactive arthritis but rheumatologists have also suggested it may well be psoriatic arthritis because of a high incidence of psoriasis and inflammatory diseases in my family, even though I don't have any skin issues at the moment.

So main reason for posting here was though that I am about to go on holiday and have a long flight to deal with first so wondered if anyone had any tips to share??

I am currently on SULFASALAZINE (4months in) and prednisolene and consultant gave me a steroid injection this week in the hope it would keep me in better form while we are away (fingers crossed

I have 2 kids and am only 38 so am determined that this disease won't get in the way of our much much needed family break!

Thank you in advance 😀

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • f70804
    f70804

    Posted

    Should maybe also have said that at the moment the worse joints issues I have are hands fingers wrists and feet, along with the ongoing fatigue.
  • grimesjeanine
    grimesjeanine f70804

    Posted

    I have had PsA for 5 years now. I love to travel and have not let it slow me down.

    We took a long trip a while back that included flying. The one thing I learned is that cabin pressure does effect joints.

    On the decent on our first leg of our journey, I experienced severe pain in my hip. That is the joint that gives me most trouble. When we got to the gate and I was able to get up I walked it out and was fine for the rest of the trip. It did not occur on our flight home, for which I was forever grateful.

    Do not allow this disease keep you from living. The fight in you will keep you going.

  • janet11037
    janet11037 f70804

    Posted

    My 21 year old been recently diagnosed with PA he has just come back from Tenerife with his mates. I arranged extra leg room on plane as his knee joints affected. Wheelchair assistance at airports & boarding early as mobility affected & he uses crutches. However Jo text on arrival to say he could feel a difference straight away with heat he came back fri and after relative lessen pain whilst away to bad pain now. Enjoy your holiday with your family I'm convinced the different heat will help your joints x
    • f70804
      f70804 janet11037

      Posted

      Thanks Janet. We are keeping hopeful that some warmth might well do me good when we are there!
    • f70804
      f70804 janet11037

      Posted

      Oh, also when did you arrange the wheelchair assistance? Usually it is only one foot that is badly affected but in the last 24 hrs or so both have been really bad and made any walking or prolonged standing very painful. We stop for a few hours after first 8hrs of the flight and now wondering if joints get worse from being on board, how I might manage to get around the airport!
    • janet11037
      janet11037 f70804

      Posted

      My son booked through a travel agency they added the information onto his flight itinery
    • f70804
      f70804

      Posted

      Sorry... Janet!
  • lol8
    lol8 f70804

    Posted

    Hi the steriod injection will make you feel better, but dont be fooled and over do it, like i did. The injection maded me forget that i was ill, hopefully it will work for you.......Enjoy your holiday as mentally it will help loads.
  • mypsoriasis
    mypsoriasis f70804

    Posted

    Easy to say, but if you can don't let the disease influence your normal life. Traveling, enjoye life, come together with people. In the begining I usually where avoiding all kind of thing I was enjoying. After a long period I accepted the disease, since then I'm living much better, (my family too.) all the bests. 
  • sylvester13
    sylvester13 f70804

    Posted

    Hi First of all I hope  you enjoy your holiday.  When we go away especially on a long flight I have to remember to get up and move from time to time - a walk to the toilet is enough and if there is a queue even better!! - if I dont I find it really hard to get moving at the end of the flight.  Warm sunny weather helps of course!!. Enjoy.
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