Travelling with Fibromyalgia

Vacations are the time when we are all supposed to relax- but traveling with Fibromyalgia can bring about pain, exhaustion, irritability and so much stress that when you get home you need a vacation to recover from your vacation! What can you do to minimize the impact of your impending trip?

If you are traveling outside of your time zone, you can start shifting your sleep schedule back or forward by 15 minutes a day a week ahead of time- this way, you won't have the huge jet lag problem when you get there. If you're traveling internationally, you'll probably still have some impact, but it won't be as bad, and when it comes to fibro, every little bit helps.

When flying, you will want to make sure you are as hydrated as you can be before you get on the plane. Flying dehydrates even healthy people, and when you have fibro, you do not want to add to the stress on your muscles by dehydrating them. If you can, arrange for a longer layover, so that you don't have to rush from one terminal to another. Being able to walk slowly through the airport, and maybe even stop and rest on the way, will help your stress levels and your pain levels. Also, take the time on your layover to have a snack and a drink- it's expensive, but your body will thank you. Airplane peanuts and the drinks they serve are not enough sustenance to refuel your tank, and since you can't carry liquids on the plane any longer, you'll need the water to quench your thirst.