M.E and Flying/Holidaying

LadyMorticia

Hello everyone.:wave:

I have M.E and my MIL and FIL are hoping to take us all as a family (myself, OH and SIL and themselves) to Florida at the end of May as they've recently purchased a holiday home there.

I've never been on a longhaul flight before (I've only been on a plane once and that was to Tenerife) so I'm incredibly anxious as my M.E is set off by the smallest things so flying is worrying me. I have moderate symptoms at rest so after stress/overdoing it I can be ill for a few weeks at a time. I have alot of pain with my M.E too in my neck, back and legs.

Could anyone suggest things I could do to make the plane journey/holiday more pleasant? The last thing I want is to be so ill while on holiday that I can't enjoy it.

I was contemplating not going because of the stress but if I don't then OH won't and I know how much he is looking forward to it.

I also have an anxiety disorder and one of my major anxieties is using plane toilets. I have no idea why. It's just a major anxiety of mine. Does anyone have any tips on how to lessen this anxiety? I really don't want to have to hold off going to the loo for 24 hours which will be both uncomfortable and unhealthy.

Thank you for reading.

[Deleted User]

is there anything medication wise your GP can do to help?it would be a shame to miss out on a holiday

Tigsteroonie

With regards to the anxiety about aeroplane toilets - note I am not an expert! - perhaps you could spend some time thinking about what you are actually fearful of. Is it the germs? The confined space? The thought of sharing it with a hundred other people? (Apologies if I've just made you freak out by listing the fears! :rotfl:) If you work out just why you are anxious, you could work on understanding "why" things are that way and then finding things that could help - e.g. carrying your own antibac gel against the germs, that kind of thing.

I do hope you manage to travel

TOBRUK

LadyMorticia, I agree with woodbine, and I do think you should see your GP and discuss your anxiety and your ME. Also discuss your medication.

One thing is that once you get there you will be able to rest at your inlaws' apartment - different than staying at a hotel or holiday apartment!

One other thing, make sure your insurance covers your illness.

LadyMorticia

woodbine wrote: »

is there anything medication wise your GP can do to help?it would be a shame to miss out on a holiday

Heya Woodbine:wave:

I'm not entirely sure. I'm on Quetiapine at the moment for anxiety and mood swings (not that it's doing anything yet...) so I'm not sure if any further anxiety medication will interact with it.
I really want to go as I really need some time away at the moment. I have an appointment to see my doctor next week about my M.E anyway so I'll mention it to her then.

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

With regards to the anxiety about aeroplane toilets - note I am not an expert! - perhaps you could spend some time thinking about what you are actually fearful of. Is it the germs? The confined space? The thought of sharing it with a hundred other people? (Apologies if I've just made you freak out by listing the fears! :rotfl:) If you work out just why you are anxious, you could work on understanding "why" things are that way and then finding things that could help - e.g. carrying your own antibac gel against the germs, that kind of thing.

I do hope you manage to travel

I think it's the confined space thing. I'm claustrophobic and I'm scared of getting locked in the toilet and not being able to get out (a fear of mine about all toilets in general lol). Also am a germaphobe but I always carry a hand sanitiser with me anyway.
I'm a nervous passenger anyway - with all modes of transport. If only I could take something to knock me out for the whole journey.:rotfl:

dmg24

I'm not good travelling either, but I know my solution is out of reach to most. Have you looked at how much it is to travel in a premium economy cabin? They tend to be smaller, quieter, more room etc (and hence, far cleaner toilets too!). Otherwise, just get yourself as comfortable as possible - a little pillow, some nice little toiletries and a lovely big scarf can work wonders.

I have little coping mechanisms for panics. If I decide I want to get off(!), I just remind myself that in x hours I'll be there, won't be long now etc. Putting it into numbers seems to get some perspective? Also, make sure your MP3 is fully charged, it works wonders!

I'll message you if I think of anything else, and I'm sure I've got some goodies so you can make up a little toiletries pack.

LadyMorticia

TOBRUK wrote: »

LadyMorticia, I agree with woodbine, and I do think you should see your GP and discuss your anxiety and your ME. Also discuss your medication.

One thing is that once you get there you will be able to rest at your inlaws' apartment - different than staying at a hotel or holiday apartment!

One other thing, make sure your insurance covers your illness.

I have an appointment with my doctor next week about my M.E as self-management isn't working and over the counter painkillers aren't doing anything. I'll mention all this while I'm there. Thankfully, my doctor is really sympathetic and understanding.

Will be nice to be able to relax in a "familiar" environment so to speak rather than a hotel.:o

LadyMorticia

dmg24 wrote: »

I'm not good travelling either, but I know my solution is out of reach to most. Have you looked at how much it is to travel in a premium economy cabin? They tend to be smaller, quieter, more room etc (and hence, far cleaner toilets too!). Otherwise, just get yourself as comfortable as possible - a little pillow, some nice little toiletries and a lovely big scarf can work wonders.

I have little coping mechanisms for panics. If I decide I want to get off(!), I just remind myself that in x hours I'll be there, won't be long now etc. Putting it into numbers seems to get some perspective? Also, make sure your MP3 is fully charged, it works wonders!

I'll message you if I think of anything else, and I'm sure I've got some goodies so you can make up a little toiletries pack.

Hello.

I haven't looked into the flights at all as Sam's parents are paying and we can't afford to otherwise we'd pay for ourselves. I'll look into roughly how much more it is though because we could always try and pay the difference. Anything to be comfortable really. The last thing I want to be doing is tensing up and getting more stressed and so being in more pain.:eek:

The numbers thing sounds good. Working in numbers is one of my OCD things so that can easily be done.:p

Thanks hun. Your help always means alot to me.

Torry_Quine

One thing i would add is make sure that you get insurance and tell them of your health issues, yes it will bump the price up but the consequence of not telling could be very expensive.

Tigsteroonie

LadyMorticia wrote: »

I think it's the confined space thing. I'm claustrophobic and I'm scared of getting locked in the toilet and not being able to get out (a fear of mine about all toilets in general lol). Also am a germaphobe but I always carry a hand sanitiser with me anyway.

You're not alone in that :rotfl: I locked myself in a cubicle in a cinema when I was about 6, couldn't get out, panicked, shrieked for my Mum ... I don't suffer claustrophobia, but I am still very nervous when using strange toilets for the first time - I will stand there and lock/unlock/relock the door a few times to ensure it's working smoothly before settling down to do whatever :rotfl:

GlasweJen

I hate plane toilets, can you get your other half to stand outside the door while you go? That always helped me when flying.

Also some airlines have a screen you can flick over to that shows you how far the plane has come and how much further you have to go, your speed, height and the weather at your desitination. Makes long haul feel less long when you can see the plane is almost there.