Traveling With RA

Making any plans when you have an unpredictable passenger like rheumatoid arthritis along for the ride can be daunting.  How will it behave?  Will it be quiet and calm or roaring around lighting you on fire?  In other words, is the trip going to be a fun time or a torture session far from the comforts of home?  While most of us have found being certain our symptoms will be in check any given day of the month is akin to fortune telling, it is certainly possible to make a plan that leaves room for the bad days in case they sneak into the suitcase. 

1. Timing is everything.  This one covers a lot of ground.  What time of year, where in your medication cycle you are, how many days you have to be on the move, how long you can spend recovering at your destination, all of these things can either help you or hurt you. Planning ahead can help you set yourself up for good days. Give yourself a bit of extra time whenever possible.  If it turns out you didn’t need that recovery day after flying, you will get to enjoy more time at your destination.  If you do need a day of recovery before you set out for the next adventure, you will be grateful you had the foresight to plan ahead. 
2. Don’t over-schedule.  It can be tempting, especially when visiting a new destination, to try to do everything you would like to do while you are there.  The fact is, unless you are headed to the most boring destination on the planet, it is unlikely anyone could do EVERYTHING the area offers in a short vacation.  Anyone would have to pick and choose.  Anyone with chronic illness will have to make those considerations rather carefully.  It can be helpful to make a list and prioritize.  Make a star next to the things you’d be most disappointed to miss out on and make a plan that allows you to be ready to enjoy them. 
3. Be flexible.  Due to the unpredictable and inflexible nature or RA, being flexible with your plans and expectations can make the difference between a relaxing vacation and a torture session far from home.  If you can avoid setting your itinerary in stone, do that.  You may not be ready to hike Thursday at 2, but if you allow yourself the space, you may find you are up to it Friday morning.  A flexible schedule allows you to tackle the things on that wish list as you feel up to them.
4. Plan downtime.  You likely have a list of things in your mind that you know take a large mental or physical toll on you.  Often getting to where you vacation will be on that list.  Planning an evening of rest instead of jogging off the plane and out to paint the town will leave you more energy when you do get out there to explore.  Resist the urge to hit the ground running.  Chances are you will enjoy the experience more that way.
5. Rest.  It may feel like a major waste of time to spend vacation time sleeping or lounging around by the pool, after all there is so much to see and so little time.  Allowing yourself downtime to recover as you need to, will make the time you spend actually doing things much more enjoyable.  Sticking to some sort of sleep routine will surely give you more energy to enjoy the trip.  There is no sense in dragging yourself around the world too exhausted to enjoy the sights.  First rule of vacation, this is supposed to be fun and relaxing, if it isn’t, you’re likely pushing too hard.

While it isn’t possible to take a vacation without bringing your cranky body along for the trip, a little proper planning and a bit of flexibility will help keep it and you happy while you explore. For more tips on travel, check out these other tenacious travel articles:

Making Plans with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Planning a Vacation from Rheumatoid Arthritis

Vacationing with Autoimmune Disease- 8 Tips for Avoiding Coronavirus and Other Plagues

Curious about the trip I am planning? Pop on over and join my patreon to see what I’m up to.