| Traveling long distances with ME/CFS or FM - | | | | 9) Sensory overload. |
| most of us avoid it at all costs! It's just too much | | | | When you suffer from ME/CFS, visual and aural |
| for our bodies to handle! | | | | stimuli can be too overwhelming for your brain to |
| I had the very same opinion because I was (and | | | | process adequately. This is especially true when |
| still am) largely housebound due to Post Viral | | | | you're traveling... |
| Fatigue Syndrome (also known as ME/CFS). But | | | | ... the noise of the train, bus or plane, the chatting |
| as a result, I had forfeited seeing my beloved | | | | people, the fast moving countryside outside, the |
| family (who live abroad) for four long years. So | | | | throng of other travelers... |
| recently, I decided to 'bite the bullet' and go. Post | | | | All of this can play havoc with your brain and can |
| Viral Fatigue Syndrome or not. | | | | end up making you feel even *more* exhausted, |
| I had a lovely time there, but the voyage there | | | | and your brain even *more* foggy! |
| and back raised quite a few issues for me as a | | | | There's not much you can do about this. But say |
| sufferer of Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome. | | | | you're on a train for example - if the fast moving |
| When it comes to ME/CFS no one sufferer has | | | | countryside is making you feel dizzy, then try to |
| the same experience as the next. For a start, | | | | avoid looking out the window. Close your eyes if |
| you may suffer from this condition less or more | | | | you have to, or wear a sleep mask. If you find |
| severely than I do. You probably also experience | | | | that you're getting dizzy and tired when you're in |
| a different mix of symptoms. But there are a | | | | a busy corridor full of commuters in the subway |
| few things you can bear in mind if you do plan on | | | | for example, stop and face the wall for a few |
| making a long trip: | | | | seconds to regroup and regain your clarity and |
| 1) Rest adequately beforehand. | | | | balance. |
| This might mean not exerting yourself mentally or | | | | 10) Wear some magnetic insoles. |
| physically for a number of days or even weeks | | | | I had made it a point to see my Nutritionist/ |
| beforehand - easier said than done, I know. But | | | | Kinesiologist before I left for my trip abroad. She |
| bear in mind that resting is a BIG priority PRE-trip. | | | | tested me with all the supplements I took daily, |
| 2) Plan your trip. | | | | and found that the 'Pure Synergy' superfood |
| Leave LOTS of time in-between train, bus or | | | | powder really raised my vital force (see point 11 |
| plane times so that you don't have to rush. | | | | below). |
| **Over-estimate** the amount of time it will take | | | | But perhaps even more astounding was the |
| you. That way, if you get there early you can | | | | magnetic insoles she gave me - they raised my |
| just sit and rest instead of rushing and stressing, | | | | vital force so much that at first, it literally felt like |
| which will only make you feel more weak and ill. | | | | I was standing on a power pod! I could even feel |
| 3) Get help. | | | | a subtle tingling sensation in my legs! |
| If you're making a long trip then it's advisable that | | | | I wore my magnetic insoles on the trip and I |
| you ask someone (like a relative or friend) to | | | | have to say that I *did* feel more energized! It's |
| accompany you there and back. Ideally this would | | | | a very subtle feeling and after an hour or so of |
| be someone who understands your condition and | | | | using them the tingling went away. You may or |
| how it affects you. If you have trouble walking | | | | may not have the same sensations when you |
| (or if this wears you out too much usually) then | | | | first try them - depending on how severe your |
| consider asking someone from the train or plane | | | | ME/CFS is and how susceptible you are to |
| company to meet you with a wheelchair. Most | | | | external forces. But they're well worth a try. I |
| large commercial companies seem to offer this | | | | now make it a point to wear my magnetic insoles |
| service, but you usually have to tell them in | | | | whenever I have to venture outside and now |
| advance. You might also consider using a walking | | | | that I know how much they help me, I most |
| stick. Anything to help you get there in one piece, | | | | certainly wouldn't be without them. |
| right? | | | | ---------- SIDE NOTE ---------- |
| 4) Don't rush. | | | | You can check out my full review of wearing |
| Pack slowly. Don't leave it until the last minute! I | | | | magnetic insoles here: |
| had an open suitcase in my bedroom in which I | | | | ---------- SIDE NOTE ---------- |
| put things as I thought of them. I also made a | | | | 11) Perhaps most importantly, pack some |
| check list for the morning of the trip, so that I | | | | nourishing food and supplements specifically for |
| didn't forget the things that I needed to pack | | | | your voyage. |
| after using them that morning (like toothbrush, | | | | It's important to eat small amounts regularly |
| toothpaste, tablets etc). | | | | especially when you travel. It's not a good idea to |
| 5) Pack light! | | | | eat sugary foods or anything containing caffeine |
| If you're going on a short trip, then maybe you | | | | (including coffee, tea, sweets or chocolate) |
| can get away with not packing any luggage at all? | | | | because although that may pep you up for the |
| ----- SIDE NOTE ----- | | | | first few minutes, they are likely to make you |
| If you're traveling to a different time zone, | | | | feel a lot worse in the long term. |
| consider taking some ear plugs and a light-blocking | | | | I took a few of Dr Gillian McKeith's 'Living Food |
| sleep mask with you, just in case you need to | | | | Energy Bars' with me - I always keep a spare |
| sleep during the day. | | | | one in my handbag for emergencies anyway. Nuts |
| ----- SIDE NOTE ----- | | | | are also a great idea when you're traveling (if |
| 6) Don't forget to pack your medicines, vitamins, | | | | you're not allergic to them that is). |
| and supplements! | | | | I also took some of that amazing 'Pure Synergy' |
| Don't make the mistake of not packing enough. | | | | superfood powder, and mixed it in with some |
| Count out how many tablets you'll need just to | | | | cooled herbal tea in a small bottle. No sugar. No |
| make sure. | | | | caffeine. |
| 7) Warn the people you're going to be staying | | | | It was my energy pep-up drink - and I swigged it |
| with about your needs. | | | | all the way back on my voyage. It did the trick. |
| This may be your family, friends or the hotel | | | | ---------- SIDE NOTE ---------- |
| manager. Let them know about your sleeping | | | | You can read my in-depth review of Pure |
| habits and your dietary needs. Is there anything | | | | Synergy here: |
| you *can't* eat or drink? Caffeine or dairy, for | | | | ---------- SIDE NOTE ---------- |
| example? Should they get some special food or | | | | So there you go - eleven things that will help to |
| drink in like say, soya milk? | | | | make any long trip less stressful and exhausting. |
| 8) Bring a book on ME/CFS with you just in case | | | | Bon voyage! |
| the people you stay with are interested in your | | | | Copyright, Claire Williams, 2003-2005. All Rights |
| condition. | | | | Reserved. |
| If you have ME/CFS then I really recommend | | | | ** Publication Guidelines ** |
| Lynn Michell's book 'Shattered', because it really | | | | The article above may be freely reproduced |
| explains what it's like to live with the condition. | | | | provided that: |
| AND it packs a punch - just in case you face any | | | | (1) you only mail to a 100% opt-in list; (2) ALL |
| skepticism while you're there! No need to start | | | | links are |
| explaining yourself - just hand them the book. ;) | | | | LIVE hyperlinks (3) the article is published in its |
| ---------- SIDE NOTE ---------- | | | | entiretyincluding the title, copyright notice, & |
| To read a complete review about Lynn Michell's | | | | the author'sbio & resource box (which must |
| book, visit: | | | | be placed directly belowthe article). |
| ---------- SIDE NOTE ---------- | | | | |