10 Tips for Traveling with MS: Advice from an Expert
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Today I’m sharing a few tips for traveling with MS, or Multiple Sclerosis, to hopefully ease some of your worries and concerns if you have MS.
If you don’t know me, hi, I’m Kay. I’m generally a giant goofball and I like to share content that makes travel more accessible. One of the ways I do that is by highlighting tips for traveling with a chronic condition as they often are a huge reason for hesitation for potential travelers. MS is something that affects a lot of people, so with this post I want to help empower those people if they want to travel more.
Well, what about people who don’t have MS?
YOU SHOULD STILL READ IT ANYWAY.
I mean, I don’t have MS, but I still think it is important (especially as a blogger/content creator) to be aware and mindful of how others travel throughout the world (and life in general). Plus, if you happen to know someone that wants to travel more and has MS, you can refer them to this post! It’s a great resource for everyone!
Okay, enough intro, I’m going to turn it over to my friend Lita, from Lita of the Pack, who can talk more about MS and offer some advice about traveling with MS!
Table of Contents
Meet Lita!
Hi everyone! I’m Lita, I grew up in the greater DC area (USA) and now I live in Washington DC. When I’m not traveling, I love to play tennis, take photos, and try new restaurants in the area. I was diagnosed with MS a few years ago in September of 2018.
Okay, wait – first, what is MS?
In the simplest of explanations, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (brain and the spine).
Basically, your body starts to attack the myelin or the protective layer on your nerves, so the messages from your nerves to your brain get confused. This can cause a variety of symptoms that range from paralysis to fatigue. It can also vary from person to person, in symptoms, duration, and severity. It is not a chronic condition that is “visible.”
Some of the most common symptoms of MS are fatigue, dizziness, and tingling in the hands and feet. However, there are so many symptoms. I have also experienced vertigo, blurred vision, and facial numbness. Some people lose the loss of abilities in their legs, or coordination loss. Since MS affects each patient differently, we all have unique experiences with the disease.
Do you need to consult your doctor before travel?
I don’t personally have to talk to my doctor about traveling, however others might depending on how MS affects them. Don’t worry about feeling silly if you do need to approach your doctor or physician about travel plans. They are there to help YOU. As always, be open and honest with your doctor about how you are feeling so they can best advise you. Your health >>>> traveling for the sake of traveling.
If you get the clearance from your healthcare provider, but you are still a bit nervous or hesitant, then try taking a local domestic trip for a long weekend or something. It will help you get used to the idea of traveling and being outside of your comfort zone, but without TOO many changes at once.
Do you ever have to schedule your travel around treatments?
In the past, yes. I used to take medication once a month through an IV infusion. As long as I got my infusion within a week of the time period that I was going to travel, I was usually fine. Once, I got the medication a few weeks late and I noticed a few more symptoms during that time. So make sure to not miss any appointments and plan around those dates accordingly.
Now, I take a pill and so I am completely free to travel when I want.
What are your must-pack items when traveling with MS?
I think the best items to pack are a heat/cooling pack and vitamins. In general, you can’t go wrong with those!
I take Vitamin D and B every single day, which helps keep me strong and are good supports for patients with MS. Of course, consult your doctor for a more personal recommendation for vitamins. Always always ALWAYS pack your medications in your carry on bag. Checked luggage has a risk of getting delayed or lost, and you don’t want to chance it with your medicine.
If I’m going on a hiking trip, then I also pack trekking poles to protect my legs from pain. For all other pain, using a heat or ice pack can be super helpful.
Note from Kay: I also love heat/ice packs! I am a lot of pain in my joints, so I always try to carry at least one around to hold me over until I can get to a store wherever I am. In a pinch, some BioFreeze can help for aching muscles and cramps as well.
Do you ever experience fatigue while exploring a new place?
I think that my adrenaline and excitement often overcomes the fatigue. However, I do try and take the first few days of a trip easy. It will help ease your body into the new routine, especially if you are in a completely different time zone.
I also notice that when I get back from a vacation, I usually experience fatigue as well. For example, I just got back from Austin, Texas and I’ve had a hard time moving or doing anything for the last few days. It can definitely be debilitating! Make sure to keep that in mind and try not immediately jump right back into hard activities until you know how traveling with MS affects you after a trip. You might even want to schedule the next day off from work.
How do you handle flare-ups while traveling with MS?
Luckily, I have never had an extreme flare up while traveling with MS. I have had mild symptoms like dizziness and my limbs tingling. When that happens, I try to get more sleep, drink more water, and take it easy. Knowing your own body is crucial for traveling with MS.
Flare-ups for MS can cause horrible symptoms. I have had two serious flare-ups in my life and both times I was at home. If I were traveling, I would have needed to see a doctor. Often, flare-ups can be caused by stress, and thankfully for me, I’m usually at my happiest when traveling.
However, if you do need to take a few days, don’t beat yourself up about it. It happens. It’s part of traveling with MS. Order room service, watch the local news or a movie that takes place in the destination you are in. Or hang out at a cafe and people watch as you rest your body. You can still have fun on vacation while taking it easy!
Have you ever had to visit the hospital abroad?
I have not had to visit doctor’s abroad for MS. I did once get a second degree burn in Thailand and have to go to the hospital. That was quite an interesting experience, though a story for a different time.
Doctors pretty much anywhere will be able to help you, it’s the issue of payment that is moreso a concern. Depending on where you are from, you might find that healthcare treatment abroad may be more affordable and less of a hassle than at home, though you shouldn’t bet on it. Plus, there is still a possible language barrier at play.
Wherever you are traveling, download the local language for offline Google Translate. Or have a pocket WiFi on you (like KeepGo!) to help explain any symptoms or concerns to the local doctors and nurses. It will also come in handy for other things to, so just a general good tip to keep in mind!
Do you ever buy travel insurance?
Speaking of!
I have bought travel insurance a couple of times even before I was diagnosed and started traveling with MS. However, since my diagnosis, I’ve had the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card, which provides travel insurance if you book on the card. So I have not had to pay any more for my medical concerns when it comes to travel insurance, however that could be a factor for many travel insurance companies.
They charge more for people traveling with MS and chronic conditions because…they can.
#lame
Aside from hospital visits, having travel insurance can also protect your wallet if you need to cancel a tour (or even a whole trip!) due to sudden flare-ups.
Note from Kay: I also have the same card and it is a LIFESAVER. It even fully covers all car insurance for car rentals (and they won’t report any claims to your home car insurance – the only card that does that). If you’re interested in getting the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card, let me know and hit me up at awktravels@gmail.com. I can send you a referral and we will BOTH get extra points. Win-win homie!
What is the biggest hurdle to overcome while traveling with MS?
I think the biggest hurdle to traveling with MS is simply not knowing when you may have symptoms; it’s the anxiety from the unknown.
It’s hard to know that at any moment my body could somehow give out on me or do something strange. And to think of that potentially happening somewhere outside of your home where you don’t have full control is challenging.
However, you can’t let that stop you. This is the way I look at it. Symptoms could appear at any time, so you’ve gotta live your life the best way that you can in a way that is fulfilling and makes you happy. Symptoms are going to happen whether you’re at home or having the time of your life on a dream vacation – so…might as well travel, right?
I also make sure to eat healthy and exercise, because these two things help keep my MS symptoms away. If you are anxious about this particular part of traveling with MS, try writing down things that help keep your symptoms in check when you’re at home. Then, write down your most common symptoms during a flare up and what you can do to ease those symptoms. Sometimes, it helps to visually see a game plan in case something happens.
What advice would you give to people who are hesitant about traveling with MS?
You can’t let MS stop you from doing the things you want to do!
The best thing you can do is take care of your health and do the things that make you happiest. If travel provides you with happiness, then you should go for it! You only get one life to live and it’s going to go by regardless of if you stay at home or if you follow your heart to the end of the Earth.
Don’t let anything stop you! Traveling with MS is possible and does NOT devalue your trip or experience.
What does travel mean to you?
To me, travel is a way to explore new things and open up your mind. That can be through learning about a new culture or seeing natural wonders that take your breath away. There is so much beauty that can come from traveling the world.
After my diagnosis, I think that I am so much more appreciative of my body and all the things it still can do. I mean, here I am. Traveling with MS! When I travel, I feel strong and I feel exhilarated. It is a great feeling and I am so thankful that my body has allowed me to experience it. As long as I can, I will travel.
Traveling with MS: Conclusion
Hey, it’s Kay again!
Wow, THANK YOU Lita for all of that incredible insight to traveling with MS! I know for sure you’ve inspired others out there who have MS, and I am very thankful to be more aware of what traveling with MS is like.
I will leave Lita’s socials below so you can subscribe and follow her adventures for more tips for traveling with MS -and- general travel advice and destination guides!
And if you want to read more about traveling with chronic conditions, I have a few more posts you can check out!
- traveling with hypothyroidism
- traveling with a wheelchair
- flying with diabetes
- traveling with type 1 diabetes
- traveling with food allergies
How did you enjoy this post? If you do not have MS, did you learn anything new about traveling with MS? Let me know in the comments below!
Pin for Later: Traveling with MS
Wow – I learned so much from you and Lita in this post. Thank you for sharing!
Wooohoo! That was our intention! Glad you thought it was helpful! Thank you so much for reading!
Fantastic post Kay and Lita!
It must be a bit stressful to travel when you are not sure what symptoms are going to get thrown up – it’s great to hear Lita never had any serious flare ups while traveling. 🙂
Thank you so so much for reading!!