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Hi, I'm Lisa Emrich; RA Patient Advocate living with rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. I'm here today to talk about tips for traveling when you have RA.
Plan ahead and anticipate your needs, whether you need help at the airport or a hotel room that’s near an elevator or maybe on the first floor to avoid stairs in case of emergencies. Or make sure if you're in a wheelchair that your hotel can accommodate or the taxi service or the shuttle bus. Whatever it is, just check it out in advance.
And then pack smart, pack light. Upgrade your luggage to a piece which is lightweight. Find one that has a really comfortable grip on it and perhaps wheels that rotate all the way around – 360 degrees to make it easier to pull. And then choose your clothing. Find outfits that will coordinate with each other so you don’t have to take as many pieces and be aware that many hotels have hair dryers in the room. It eliminates bulky appliances that are just heavy in your luggage. And be aware of the TSA 311 rule, where if you have liquids they're limited to 3 ounces and all of those containers have to fit inside of a quarter sized zip top bag, and there’s only one per passenger and you can carry it on your carry-on. And you have to present it when you take your shoes off to go through security. So just remember 3-1-1.
Keep your medications in their original containers. Take a list of all the medications you take and your doctor’s phone numbers in case you need that information at any time. And also, pack a week’s worth of medication extra just in case you get delayed and you don’t get to come home on time. And if you have refrigerated medications to carry with you, be sure to take a lunch bag like soft sided insulated bag and use frozen gel packs to keep your medications chilled while you're travelling. If you're traveling by car, do not put your medications in the trunk where the temperature is not regulated. Try to keep it all steady. And take your medications on time. Oh and definitely very important, keep your medications in your carry-on bag with you. Don’t separate yourself. Keep them handy.
And while you're travelling stay mobile and flexible. Stay hydrated; drink plenty of water through your trip and try to avoid getting stiff or staying stiff. Get up and move frequently. If you're on an airplane ask for an aisle seat so that you can get up and walk around regularly. If you're in a car plan rest stops and get up again to stretch your arms and legs, walk around.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help during your trip, people are very helpful and very friendly. They can lift your bag into the overhead bin or whatever you might need.
And that’s how I see it as an RA Patient Advocate. But I do recommend that you do reach out to your doctor for more details or go to Google and type in Travelling with RA for more information. Thanks for watching.
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