Edinburgh M.E. Self help Group

Travelling is supposed to be a pleasurable activity. However, the reality of travelling with M.E. is that often just getting to the destination can be stressful and exhausting. Here are some handy hints to reduce these stresses and fatigue factors to a minimum:

Itinerary

• Evaluate where you are going and what you will be doing.
• Do not set unrealistic expectations for yourself.
• Choose a destination that you will be physically comfortable with.
• Be realistic about how much activity you can handle each day. It is natural to want to see and do all you can, but if you try to do too much, you will not enjoy any of it.
• Schedule rest periods into your itinerary that allow you to take a nap.
• If it is not possible to return to your hotel at regular intervals, at least allow yourself time to sit down in a cafe and have a cup of tea while your body rests and revives.
• Make your first day a short one. Avoid any sightseeing the day you arrive. Travelling is tiring at best, so just plan to settle in, rest and maybe go out for a nice dinner.
• If possible, plan at least one day of rest after you return home before going back to work or resuming other activities.

Accommodation

• When booking accommodation make sure you ask specific questions about where you’ll be staying. Ask for a room that is on the main floor or near the elevator to minimise the distance you have to drag yourself and your luggage.
• Be sure to specify the accommodations you need (e.g. wheelchair accessible, shower grab bars, smoking/non-smoking).

Airlines

• If you are travelling by air, call the airline and tell them what problems you may have with boarding.
• If possible, request a bulkhead aisle seat. This is the easiest seat to get in and out of and has the most leg room.
• Allow yourself extra time when changing planes so that, even if the flight is running late, you will be able to make your connecting flight without rushing.
• Ask the airline what arrangements you need to make to minimise walking in the airports. Even if you do not normally use a wheelchair, you can request that one be made available. Save your energy for sightseeing and other fun holiday activities.
• Get your ticket and boarding pass ahead of time to minimise the number of times you have to queue.
• Use luggage with wheels, check-in most of your bags and only carry on what you absolutely have to have during your flight.
• Be sure to keep any medications in their original prescription bottles with you. In the event that your luggage is lost, you will still have the medicine you need.

Car Journeys

• If you are travelling by car, plan to stop for a few minutes every hour or two. Get out of the car, stretch and walk around a little. Staying in any one position too long will cause you to become stiff, increasing your pain.
• If there is room in the car, make a bed in the backseat so you can lie down when necessary. Try out a variety of sitting positions and note how many pillows you will need to take to keep you as comfortable as possible.

Travelling Companions

When you are planning your trip, sit down with your travel companion and make sure they understand ahead of time that you may not be able to do everything they want to do. The most stressful part of a trip can be trying to meet someone else’s expectations. Before you leave home, come to an agreement on how to handle the times you need to rest. Do you mind if they go somewhere without you one day? Are they willing to let you rest without making you feel guilty? Discuss possible scenarios and how you will handle them. Knowing you are free to say, “I’m really tired. I think I’ll skip Water World this afternoon.” enables you to relax and enjoy yourself.