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I’m excited to be going on vacation. Does anyone have any tips or tricks that I should keep in mind for traveling abroad?

A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭
June 22
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A MyMSTeam Member

Hello @A MyMSTeam Member, how exciting! Where are you going and how are you travelling? I have just returned from a family holiday in Majorca - it was my first overseas holiday in a long time. The suggestions above are all really useful. The best plans for me were:
- My husband and I booked to arrive a few days before the rest of the family so I could recover from the journey before the holiday started;
- I’ve resisted a wheel chair and I am very stubborn, but I ‘gave in’ and booked assistance at the airport and borrowed a chair for the holiday - it made such a difference, conserved my energy so I could join in the fun stuff! Definitely recommend 😊
- Careful pacing of activities and making sure I rested enough - that was easy for me as I napped when my baby grandson napped 🩵
- I anticipated not sleeping and also constipation so took what I might need with me;
- Finally, the big one for me! Whilst my grown up kids know lots about my MS, they do not know the daily details. I hate discussing these, but I knew they and their partners would notice and I wanted to avoid conversations while we were on holiday. So, I wrote to them and gave them a brief explanation of what to expect and what I needed. I explained that I did not want a conversation about it whilst on holiday. Well, they were brilliant! Nobody said a word when I kept rushing to the loo or went to my room to lie down etc etc. Definitely recommend making sure any travelling companions are informed so they can also feel confident about how they can best help.

I don’t know if any of these are helpful to you Irene, but hopefully you can anticipate and plan for what you need for your holiday to be successful and enjoyable. Most of all, have fun 🤗💜

June 22
A MyMSTeam Member

Pack some shilajit

June 22
MyMSTeam

How exciting — a vacation abroad is something to look forward to! Traveling with MS takes a bit of extra planning, but it's absolutely doable. Here are some tips to help make the trip as smooth as possible.

Before You Go

- Pack gradually over a week or two to manage fatigue
- Get a doctor's note for all injectable Show Full Answer

How exciting — a vacation abroad is something to look forward to! Traveling with MS takes a bit of extra planning, but it's absolutely doable. Here are some tips to help make the trip as smooth as possible.

Before You Go

- Pack gradually over a week or two to manage fatigue
- Get a doctor's note for all injectable medications and any other prescriptions
- Check if your destination country accepts your medications — some countries restrict certain pain medications even with a doctor's note
- Make sure vaccinations required for your destination won't interfere with your MS medications
- Call ahead to hotels, airports, restaurants, and attractions to confirm accessibility
- If you need refrigeration for medication, confirm your hotel room has a mini fridge
- Consider enrolling in TSA PreCheck to simplify airport security
- Purchase travel insurance in case plans change At the Airport

- Request wheelchair assistance or special accommodations when booking
- Keep all medications in clearly labeled original containers in your carry-on
- Request early boarding for extra time to settle in
- Ask for an aisle seat close to the bathroom
- Dress in layers to manage temperature sensitivity During Your Trip

- Build rest days into your itinerary — pacing yourself makes the whole trip more enjoyable
- Bring your healthcare team's contact information and a summary of your medical history
- Locate the nearest emergency services at your destination
- Consider renting a mobility scooter or walker to reduce fatigue, even if you don't normally use one
- Let hotel or restaurant staff know about any noticeable symptoms so they're not caught off guard

As one MyMSTeam member wisely put it, cutting down travel time where possible can really help protect your energy. Have a wonderful trip! 🌍

June 22

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