Travelling with Chronic Illnesses? (My experiences and tips)

Living with chronic illnesses in general is quite difficult, and I know that travelling seems even scarier, so I wanted to share my experiences over the years, the good and the bad, plus my tips!
#digitalnomadlifestyle #chronicallyill #chronicillness #traveltips
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[@lynnrush7166]

Another great video that can also be applied to much older travellers that still want to see the world. I try to book hotels near public transport stops. My other half can’t walk for miles anymore.

[@flying_unipig]

Danie, thanks so much for this video! I actually found your channel while searching for packing tips for plus sized travellers, haha, but then I spotted that you had this video about travelling with chronic illness. And what are the chances, I have POTS too! I have travelled quite a bit a few years ago, then my health got quite bad and I got diagnosed with POTS and some other suspected stuff (so agree with you about just being too tired of it all to care about getting a formal diagnosis at this point). I've been on a couple of short trips with my partner since, but I'm now planning my first longer solo trip (only 3 weeks) since I got ill, and I have to admit that I am quite anxious about it. I really sympathise with the fact that there is so much more planning and researching involved. I find that I constantly have to have conversations with myself about what is realistic for me to do and what isn't. And these can be such hard conversations to have. I used to be the type of person who was on the go all the time when travelling, and that side of me is definitely trying to come out when I plan trips. I like your idea of the chronic illness document as well - I think I might find something like that useful as a source of reality check when having these negotiations with myself. You know, when I'm trying to convince myself that those stairs up to that beautiful pagoda are worth it, it might be nice to have it written in black and white that I absolutely would not be able to make it up there, or if I did, it would mean days of recovery - suddenly it doesn't feel worth it any more. Maybe I'll go and take a cooking class instead. And make sure to ask for a chair :) Anyway, thanks again, it has been really great to hear from someone who travels with POTS. There is some info out there from people with mobility issues, but I never felt that it was particularly applicable to me. Your story really resonates. Good luck with the rest of your travels :)

[@lifeofdanie]

I’m so glad this video resonated and helped a bit! I really found my illness document to help with my internal negotiations as well, as a little reminder that while I MAY be able to get up the giant flight of stairs, it doesn’t mean I should considering the flare it will most likely cause. And it’s definitely tiring having to remind yourself that you are limited in things when all you want to do is explore everything like other people, but we have to work around the hand we were dealt! Enjoy your solo trip :)

[@nicholeray9521]

Thank you for this video, having an invisible chronic illness (Ehlers-Danlos hypermobility type), two autoimmune diseases, and ADHD can make traveling a bit more challenging. However, knowing and staying within my physical and mental limits makes my trips more enjoyable. Also, if I travel with someone it is always someone who knows my health status and doesn't make negative comments. The tips you share are applicable for young people to those of us that are 60 and over.

[@tealeaves9636]

You are very wise for one so young! I am almost 60 and just learning not to push myself! Lovely video dear. Thanks so much.

[@cynthiashearer-ec6gl]

Dani, thanks so much for this exceptionally well-done video. I'm 62, semi-retired, and am planning to begin full-time travel within the next year. I'll be going to India with friends for six months and then going to Europe....and then, who knows. You being willing to share your experiences has given me much more confidence about undertaking this extended journey. Kudos! I have several chronic conditions and also think I will prefer traveling alone. You're wise to establish and maintain those boundaries.

[@lifeofdanie]

I’m glad you liked the video, Cynthia! And I wish you all the best on your upcoming travels, that sounds like a very exciting journey.

[@feedurhead8]

Thank you for this video, I haven’t traveled since the onset of my chronic conditions. I’ve done a lot of research but you are so thorough and prepared, I wish I found you sooner. I’m also in a larger body so the videos about plus size travel were a life saver. This channel has definitely eased my mind and I loved what you said here about being honest with yourself, that can be tough. I can’t wait to continue to follow you as planning for this trip has awoken a travel bug in me! Peace ✌🏽

[@lifeofdanie]

I’m so happy to hear that you’re thinking of travelling more with your illness! And I agree, being honest with yourself sometimes can be the toughest part with chronic illnesses, but it helps so much in acceptance, wishing you some great travels!

[@croyland7605]

This is all solid advice. I don't have a chronic illness, but I have been doing a lot of planning around the types of care I might need when I'm older. How I define independence, travel, and independent travel all will likely change as I age.

[@lifeofdanie]

These tips definitely don’t have to only be for chronic illnesses!

[@scoutyd1885]

Great perspective and practical information. Building-in the ability to rest when traveling is so important as are dietary considerations. I remember not sleeping well for the first 5 nights of a trip, and that brought on other complications (including impacting those I was traveling with/visiting)...I needed an OTC sleeping aid to break the cycle. I now always travel with some meds for the just-in-case, they can help more than you'd imagine. Great idea for a medical doc, I had one before, good reminder. Thanks for sharing.

[@lifeofdanie]

Sleep has such a huge impact on anyone, but especially those with illnesses, so I totally know what you mean! I always have an emergency kit with different meds for flares or insomnia that I never travel without.

[@suzannefortner6065]

I have Crohn's and finding restrooms isn't always an easy thing to do. Just last year I had surgery and now have a bag (Ileostomy surgery) so now I have to pack more items but it makes a huge difference even mentally. I understanding not wanting to inconvenience anyone. I enjoying traveling solo also. Thanks for sharing. Hope you can continue to travel as much as you want.

[@lifeofdanie]

Hope you can travel everywhere you would like as well! It can be real tough doing it will illnesses

[@dianalund587]

Thank you for this post. I am in my mid 60's and have been dealing with an autoimmune disorder for 30 years. My disease is not a "known" disease so at times it's difficult dealing with new doctors. Considering I have moved from place to place and love to travel this is often a challenge when finding a new team of physicians or getting care if I'm away from home and need medical treatment. Having said that I don't allow that to stop me. I have reached a point in my life that moving to new places is probably not in my future, but I will still travel. I agree with you that traveling alone is often better than traveling with others who don't understand my limitations. I am married and it's easy to travel with my husband because he understands what I can and can't do. We have learned that we are good for about 4 hours a day and prioritize what we want to experience at each location and a comfortable place to stay since we spend a large part of our trip in our accommodations.

[@lifeofdanie]

Well said! Prioritization is absolutely the key to sustainable long term travel with illnesses, and in life I mean.

[@darinjaneczko825]

Glad to see a new video posted. Looking forward to a Montenegro update in the future.

[@lifeofdanie]

Thanks for the constant support! I took a two week break as I went back to Greece, but more videos are coming :)

[@stephkachel9191]

Great content Danie, never really thought about traveling with chronic diseases before! Thankfully I don’t have any. I’m sorry you have them but you are such an inspiration to even me as I’m about to turn 63, and slowing down a bit, humping my pack up train station stairs to platforms far away because the lifts don’t work is making me re-evaluate how I/we travel in the future. Hubby finds traveling stressful and wants to sleep for hours as soon as we hit accommodation, whereas I hit the village or city footpaths sightseeing and checking out restaurants or supermarkets for dinner. You know your limitations now after so many trips, my hubby has his limitations as do I. Win, win all round. Keep up the good work!! 🦘

[@user-kg7wm5fo1s]

This video is very helpful for me as I have chronic illness. I also found your descriptions of pots very helpful because I've been suspicious that I have it, only some of the symptoms you described are not in the normal description, but are symptoms that I have.

[@lifeofdanie]

Pots is sadly one of those conditions that is heavily under researched because the medical community thought it was rare. As it affects your entire autonomic nervous system, it can cause issues of your entire body, not to mention the common comorbidities that accompany it. The only way many of us get help in managing it is by researching everything ourselves and playing doctor with our own bodies :)

[@kimberlymavrakos2661]

You are so articulate and kind. I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this. You’ve helped me become a better human being!

[@lourdesortiz3971]

Thank you for sharing! 🙂

[@VoyageHER]

I really appreciate this video 🩵🩵🩵

[@msjones8873]

Thanks for yet another great video! Loved it!

[@lifeofdanie]

Glad you enjoyed! Thank you for watching :)

[@msjones8873]

This video gave me hope.

[@paisleyrosestuff]

Great video! I'd love to hear tips about travelling as a neurodivergent person as well. (Apologies if you've done a video like that already - I just found you recently through packing videos and haven't watched your back catalog yet!) I especially find airports overwhelming due to sensory issues, but I'm not sure how to avoid or accommodate that. Oh, and thank you for the reminder about travelling with medications - I need to go check that I can bring mine, lol!

[@lifeofdanie]

I haven’t made one about travelling as a neurodivergent person yet, honestly because I still struggle a lot with that and haven’t found great hacks to help 😅 airports are overwhelming for me too and it’s a double battle because wearing headphones helps with all the noise but then I get paranoid that I can’t hear if there’s danger around me or announcements about my flight 🫠

[@paisleyrosestuff]

@@lifeofdanie Totally fair! Honestly, it's good to know it's not just me. 😂 Thank you!

[@lifeofdanie]

Oh yeah it’s a common struggle, I travel with a neurodivergent friend sometimes and we both are constantly trying to find ways to make travel less overwhelming

[@kathykelly2876]

Informative video! I too am chronically ill, 27 years now, and in my later 60s I have decided to not let my illness(es) stop me from traveling far far from home. Going to Costa Rica for 3 months to visit a friend. At first it was 3 weeks, but that is only enough time to settle in and acclimate, so I decided to stay as long as my visa will allow. Looking forward to being lazy and spending most of my time on a beach in a rustic village, no stress. Traveling with other people would not allow this kind of luxury. You have given me courage!

[@lifeofdanie]

That sounds like a wonderful way to spend your time, enjoy Costa Rica!

[@sherinasabal-burnett4167]

Thank you for this awesome video, Danie!! I do want to know: how do you keep your chronic illness document? Do you have hard copies of everything, is it all stored digitally on your phone or tablet or do you have a mix of both?

[@lifeofdanie]

For me personally since I am so nomadic, I keep everything digitally, it’s nothing official, but all the information I need, I use the app Notion for everything, including my illness document, since it’s easy to access on the computer, and mobile.

[@sherinasabal-burnett4167]

Thank you for replying and for being so awesome! I wish you healthy days and fun travels 😊

[@lifeofdanie]

And to you as well!

[@anik3255]

Another aspect would be good to address in this context is travel insurance. How do you deal with this? Any issues?

[@lifeofdanie]

This is a great point! I personally have travel insurance and do plan on talking about it in a future video, of course there is the issue of insurance not covering pre existing conditions, but I still find it worth it for those random unexpected things like breaking a leg or something.