Travelling With Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain // My Essentials

[@LibbyWithnall]

Interesting about the cane - but a good idea when dealing when an invisible illness. I haven't gotten to the stage of needing a mobility aid yet but my daugther often uses a walker. Being organised is a great tool when dealing with fibro. And better having too much medication. Gotta love those fibro moments when you struggle to get the right word. Oh that unicorn neck pillow is so cute. My only suggestion would be some kind of noise cancelling headphones if you are noise intollerant or travelling on a plane and to make sure that any travelling companions know what to expect. For example I need regular rest breaks where I can sit - preferably with my legs raised. Comfy clothes are my everyday attire now :-).

[@olgachronics3273]

Thanks for commenting! I always have more pain in the lower back area and legs/hips/knees and a lot of weakness in those joints so the cane is really helpful some times, but I don't use it on a daily basis at the moment. It's nice to have it in case I need it though! The unicorn pillow I got in Primark, its very very comfy! hmm I never thought of noise cancelling headphones, that's a great tip! I normally read on the train so it might be helpful to have them to minimise distractions and be more comfortable with the noise, like you said. See, I travel alone, which makes it a little trickier, but whoever is getting me from the station knows what carriage im in and all that to help me out. I find that with the unpredictability of fibro we just have to be prepared for all scenarios, no matter what!

[@bdeal3499]

I tried the ThermaCare heat patch at work today and it felt so good. It did not get rid of the pain but it made it less intense. I will be stocking up on these.

[@olgachronics3273]

B Deal oh glad it helped! Ya, it’s not a super huge difference, but it really keeps the pain levels in check!

[@millicentevans9232]

Olga you are so right i have made room for this chronic pain my story with this is very long i have had it for more than twenty years olga hard working mother full time job to wheelchair last year this happen four walking sticks olga i am a strong woman and i will never give up yes i do get deppressed at times but i try to think about my two daughters and my three grandkids plus god it isreally too much to bare at times but i cant let it take over who i am as a person olga you have great style thats nice no matter how you feel dress up and show up x😊

[@olgachronics3273]

Millicent Evans that’s the spirit! Thank you!!

[@Michelle-il2cf]

I just traveled across the US and my carry on bag was a two wheeled one and it KILLED ME! And getting it up into the overhead bins, no way, I had them gate-check it every time for me. Also I learned that I couldn’t physically sit on a 6 hour flight, my body couldn’t handle that, now I like more layovers so I don’t have to sit on a plane that long :)

[@olgachronics3273]

That's interesting, but I guess if you were carrying it long periods of time, it wouldn't matter how good the bag was. Yes, when I get the train I always ask someone to put the bag up there for me, but I haven't yet traveled by plane since getting sick so I don't know. I am going to keep that in mind though! thanks for the tips!

[@millicentevans9232]

Hi olga wow you are strong walking sticks are good for us fibro sufferers i olga have a injury to the facet joint it with fibro muder to live with but i have great faith in god like your tips list olga i have a teal book i write all my bills in and all my organisation for my home and myself you are a smart lady olga great tips organise i took my meds in morrison with my daughter i had my pill box pain does not give you a warning sign it just hits egserion makes me have big flare ups i do think about how would i cope with my illness on a long haul flight but i guess if i am relaxed not stressed and i got my meds in my bag not sure if you can travel medication exspecially cd drugs your tips are helpful.olga thank you xx

[@olgachronics3273]

Millicent Evans thank you so much ☺️

[@WhatsupTony]

Gday! I'm a half Filipino travel vlogger looking for amazing stories to tell anywhere in the world! Have you got any recommendations!?

[@Christmas52]

The walking stick is lovely. Where did you get it from?

[@olgachronics3273]

Thanks! I got it from a portuguese ortopedics website, so I don't know if they would deliver outside portugal or even still have it. A good place to look is amazon, and walkingsticks.co.uk also have some really snazzy ones :)

[@emmalawson1504]

I can’t get out of bed for 10 minutes at a time unless it’s a medical appointment. And I have to force myself and end up suffering for a full week afterwards. 😣 it’s truly horrid 😣 I really want my life back.

[@olgachronics3273]

Aw Emma, I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope you find something that helps you feel a little better soon!

[@emmalawson1504]

Olga Chronics I’m not giving up! Just have a lot of ups and downs emotionally due to severity of symptoms but we know stress makes it worse don’t we! It’s hard but I’ll get there’s Thankyou for taking the time to reply. Means a lot 😘 hope you’re doing ok, and enjoy your travels! P.s totally get you about the walking stick, but I need mine out of my home every time until I get my wheelchair. I’ve even put a sticker on my car rear window ‘Not all disabilities are visible’ and the picture shows a person standing up and wheelchair upside down from their feet (like a shadow). Ive had a few really nice positive compliments about it and that shocked me but it really helps when people take the time even if just in passing and saying ‘that sticker is great!’ which was my first compliment. It makes a difference. I had the same medication weekly/day set, but changed it for a colourful one as I kept losing them (empty ones thankfully!) 🤦🏻‍♀️ fibro brain! In the UK we call the emergency/SOS medication ‘breakthrough’ medication. I Have hired a wheelchair on 3 occasions for a few hours at my local city centre. First time I was treated horribly by people especially staff in stores. I cried as soon as I sat in it tbh, (shock to the system I think), second time, not too bad. Third time, I was more relaxed because I realised how much less going out in the wheelchair wore me out. I was tired but I was ok when I got home. AND everyone was super helpful on that occasion which made it even better. Apologies, my comment is all over the place 🤷🏻‍♀️😂 xxx

[@olgachronics3273]

That's okay though, I'm all for us using the aids that help us have more quality of life. I love my walking sticks cause they mean I get to do more and be more independent and safe! And we are all different, and the illness affects us all in different levels, so what is a good solution for me, might not be for you, but that’s okay. I think it’s awesome that you're not giving up, and stay hopeful & fight for your health! It’s hard, but if we don’t do it, no one else will.. I love that sticker, I've seen it floating around online! I'm always so happy when people compliment my walking stick, it makes my day :) I totally get you with the wheelchair thing - I feel like our mindset while using it really plays a big part in the experience. I get a lot of looks but never been mistreated. I think I've just been lucky, though, cause you hear some crazy stuff people have been asked while using mobility aids.. Hope you're having as low a pain day as possible :)

[@millicentevans9232]

Your welcomed olga i truly understand how it is my nails are long and i have to use a stylus pen its going soft so my words are miss spelt forgive me i can spell my mom sent me to private school.lol olga its gone into my wrist and hands now olga i need the specialist to find a cure look how beautiful you are and you have this invisible and horrible illness pain just started in my hands when i hold my phone olga its a prison sentence it really is i am in pain 24/7 fight everyday but i am holding on.xx

[@olgachronics3273]

Millicent Evans i know how you feel, but I don’t agree that it is a prison sentence. I think we have to find ways to handle things, and try everything to get better. I don’t feel awful all the time. I have a lot of days when I feel okay. Just keep working on finding what works for you. And don’t forget that negative thoughts and sadness and stress only make your symptoms worse