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Overcoming Chronic Pain at the Airport

March 11, 2012 by lizhamillscott

Photo by Kuranes on flickr

Photo by Kuranes on flickr

LH: And now for an oldie but goodie…basic airport tips.

I have a love/hate relationship with airports. I adore traveling to distant places, and being at the airport means I’m probably doing that. But the physical and emotional stresses of going through the grandiose airport rigamarole can bring me to my knees, or worse. Literally.

Here’s how I navigate airports now, without pushing myself into a trip-wrecking flare:

Eat before leaving and bring homemade snacks

It’s amazing how much better I feel when I eat before I go to the airport. With stable blood sugar and hormone levels and a full belly, I am in better shape to deal with the barrage of people and problems the airport inevitably provides. This also lets me skip the so-called “food” sold in most airports.

Oh, and don’t bother with the bars unless you’re stuck in an airport for hours. The wine is cheap and the cocktails watered down.

Come early and bring a book, laptop, or iPhone

Rushing and panic over making it to the plane on time equals stress,and stress equals pain flares. So I show up early, get the wheelchair service, then hang out at the gate. Airport gates are great places for people-watching, bubblegum novel-reading, and playing the latest iteration of Angry Birds.

Check the big bags

Yes, you read that correctly. I check a bag on every air voyage I take. I don’t put any of my meds or other critical items in the checked bag (and neither should you). But I don’t need to drag my clothes and shoes and shampoo and extra paperback vampire novels across the airport. They’re heavy, and twisting my body while dragging a weight does unhappy things to my back and pelvic area–my pain centers.

Get a wheelchair

I’m not a typically mobility-challenged traveler, but chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and the associated difficulty lifting things and standing in long lines all take their toll at airports.

I continue to be honestly amazed at how much easier the airport feels and how much better I do on the plane, then at my destination, when I avail myself of wheelchair service. Which airports provide for free, no questions asked, to anyone who asks for it, by the way.

More on the emotional impact of asking for wheelchair service at the airport in another post…

Tip the chair attendant if she’s nice

Build up your good travel karma by tipping your wheelchair attendant $2-$5. They’re often friendly and can give you great ideas for local restaurants and attractions.

Use the bathroom early and often

If you ask, the wheelchair attendant will stop off at the bathroom on the way to or from the gate. Ask. You know you want to.

Ask a friend or family member for a pick-up

It’s always so nice to come home from a long trip to see a friendly face at baggage claim. Having someone I know there to help with bags and bundles as I make my way home soothes my tired soul as much as it does my aching body.

Also, my dad and my husband rarely expect tips for hefting my bags into the car.

Thanks guys! You’re the best.

Posted in Air Travel, Travel Tips | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

TSA Illness and Disability Notification Card

February 26, 2012 by lizhamillscott

The TSA has created a “card” travelers can fill out that briefly describes their conditions and needs to TSA security agents.

Here’s the link to the PDF version of the card you can fill out, print out, and carry with you when you fly in the USA.

I haven’t flown since this card was released, so I don’t know how much good it does when you’re actually in line dealing with individual TSA security agents. I’ll be doing an international trip in May, and will report back then.

In the meantime, has anyone here used this card? If so, please post a comment here so that we can all learn from your experience!

Posted in Accessible Transit, Air Travel | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment »

Valentines Day Getaways With Pain

February 14, 2012 by lizhamillscott

Lots of people go on romantic getaways sometime near Valentine’s Day. It’s a great time to take a trip with a loved one with the goal of spending some *ahem* quality time together, whether in a snowy clime or on a sunny beach.

But what if you’re stuck with a menage-a-trois on your Valentines excursion, because you’ve got to drag along that ever-unwelcome companion–chronic pain? When pain’s along for the ride, what can you do to steal that quality time  with your Valentine (with or with out the *ahem*, if you know what I mean)?

Snuggle

Snuggling can’t be overrated as a way of connecting with your sweetheart. Cuddling, canoodling, and spooning work too.

Enjoy a Romantic Dinner

If going out isn’t going to work, stay in. Bring a picnic with you in a cooler, order room service, call out for pizza. Light a travel candle, kick back, and have Dinner In Bed.

Talk…About Something Else

Make a major effort to talk about something besides your health, doctor’s appointments, current pain, etc. Instead, talk about politics, religion, the weather, the state of the roads…whatever, so long as it gives you and your partner a break from your physical problems.

Take a Bath

Hot water soothes so many things. So take a bath–so much the better if you can afford a room with a two-person jetted tub so you and your partner can take that bath together. (No you don’t have to do anything but bathe!)

Indulge in a Couples Massage

For those with enough money, lots of luxury hotels and a growing number of mid-priced inns and motels offer in-room couples massages. If ever there was a time to indulge, it’s now! (Whenever “now” might be.)

Watch a Movie

Do you and your partner love to MST3K bad movies? Or do you prefer to hold hands and watch epic masterpieces in silence? Bring your favorite DVDs along on your trip and spend some time bonding while being entertained. Lie together on your hotel bed and hold hands. Giggle. Cuddle.

If you’re feeling up to a couple of hours sitting up, head for the nearest movie theater and have a real live two-hour date.

*Ahem* Enjoy Each Other

Yes, like that. Sex releases endorphins. And “sex” can mean a wide range of activities that enhance intimacy and happiness, even if you can’t do it all.

Posted in Accommodations, Lodgings, Travel Tips | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Hotels With Tempur-Pedic(r) Beds in California

February 7, 2012 by lizhamillscott

Because a lot of people seem to want to know how to find hotels with Tempur-Pedic(r) beds, I’ve gone out and found some.

*whew*

Gathering these things takes longer than you might imagine. But there will be lots more soon. Check the Pages for more accommodations with Tempur-Pedic beds in more places.

But in the meantime, here are ten California hotels, motels, and inns with Tempur-Pedic mattresses:

Park Tahoe Inn
530-544-6000
South Lake Tahoe, CA
$122.60-$150

All rooms have  Tempur-Pedic beds; some Superior King Rooms have ADA-compliant bathrooms.

Black Bear Inn
209-795-8999
Arnold, CA
$240-$300

All 5 guest rooms have king-sized Tempur-Pedic beds and spa bathtubs.

Coventry Motor Inn
San Francisco, CA
415-567-1200
$90-$187

Not sure how many rooms have Tempur-Pedic  beds; rumor has it that at least some of the King beds have the Tempur-Pedics. Call and ask specifically to be sure to get one. The good news: this is not a high-budget motel (especially for San Francisco), but it’s got good online ratings.

La Serena Inn
Morro Bay, CA
(800) 248-1511
(805) 772-5665
$100-$275/night

At least half the rooms at the La Serena have Tempur-Pedic beds; may all have them by now. But be sure to call for a reservation and ask for a Tempur-Pedic bed. (Can’t do this on the web reservation portal.)

Grass Valley Courtyard Suites
530-272-7696
Grass Valley, CA
$175-$310

All rooms and suites have Tempur-Pedic beds. This hotel also has a full-service day spa and an on-site personal trainer. (I love Grass Valley–Gold Country may be my favorite region in California. Oh, and the Flour Garden bakeries have the best cherry turnovers in the known universe.)

Wydown Hotel
707-963-5100
St. Helena, CA
$308-$375

Unconfirmed. Only info that claims this property has Tempur-Pedic beds comes from 3rd party website.

Stevenswood Spa Resort
800-421-2810
Little River, CA (Mendocino region)
$310-$550

About half the rooms have  King Tempur-Pedic beds; if you look at the individual room types you can figure out which rooms to reserve online, or call and ask for a room with a Tempur-Pedic. As the name implies, there’s an attached spa, which has lots of healing options on the menu.

Best Western Newport Beach Inn
800-523-5549
Newport Beach, CA
$187-$285

Some rooms have Tempur-Pedics; this isn’t emphasized and there’s no way to tell on the web site which these are–you’ve got to call for a room and ask for a Tempur-Pedic room. There’s at least one theoretically ADA compliant room that they seem to be very proud of. No idea if it’s got a Tempur-Pedic or not.

Pierpont Inn Hotel
805-643-6144
Ventura, CA
$111

Unconfirmed. Only info that claims this property has Tempur-Pedic beds comes from 3rd party website.

Tower23 Hotel
Pacific Beach, CA
858-274-2333

Hotel reservation sites claim that all  rooms have Tempur-Pedic beds, and this does seem to be the kind of chic urban resort hotel that can claim tip-top amenities.

Posted in Accommodations, California travel, Lodgings | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Yoga Room in SFO Terminal 2

February 1, 2012 by lizhamillscott

Yoga class by Augusta Mia Battaglia photography

Even with the wood block and the cotton strap, yoga poses look more comfortable than molded plastic airport chairs

This looks promising: SFO has opened up what they call a Yoga Room in Terminal 2, just post-security.

The press release claims it’s got low lighting (hooray!), a floating wall (sure why not), and will have felt rocks (say what now?) come spring of this year. What the press release doesn’t describe is what kind of actual yoga equipment is available in the room. A very brief description of the room in the Passenger Services Listing implies that they’ve got some rolls and mats in there.

I plan to check this room out next time I’m flying from Terminal 2. I like the idea of assuming Corpse Pose and meditating away my wait time before a flight, or even figuring out a supportive stretch-and-circulation-and-relaxation routine (asana? I’m no yogi) ahead of time. This seems like a good way to reduce the pain of air travel.

Watch this space for more info on the SFO Yoga Room when I get around to visiting it…

Posted in Air Travel | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments »

TSA Helpline for Travelers with Disabilities and Illnesses

January 30, 2012 by lizhamillscott

Hey look, the TSA has actually done something useful for travelers with disabilities and chronic illnesses. (Illness is specifically mentioned in the press release, even.) They’ve created a phone helpline called TSA Cares.

But meanwhile, here’s the number, which is toll-free in the United States: 1-855-787-2227

To get the serious help, you need to make the call at least 3 days before you plan to show up at the airport. If you do that, they’ll go so far as to make sure they’ve got specially trained agents present at security when you arrive to help you through screening.

In theory, the operators answering the TSA Cares line are specially trained to answer questions and provide service for travelers with disabilities. I haven’t called them, so I can’t speak personally to the expertise of any of the operators. If you have the opportunity to chat with these folks, please comment here and let us know how your experience went?

 

Posted in Air Travel | Tagged , , , | Leave a Comment »

5 Ways to Make a Trip Less Painful

January 29, 2012 by lizhamillscott

Arbor Guest House Garden Room

The big in-the-bedroom spa tub in the Garden Room at the Arbor Guest House in Napa makes a perfect pain-minimizer for me

Really, this whole blog is about how to make travel easier and less painful for us travelers with chronic pain and hidden disabilities. But everybody loves a good roundup. And what I’m thinking here is specifically how I diminish physical pain caused by travel.

1. Take painkillers.
The road is not the place to try to bull through a pain flare without medication. I bring plenty of prescription and non-prescription painkillers when I travel. If I find myself starting to hurt, I try to medicate before the pain really gets its claws into me. It’s much, much harder to kill pain that’s ramped to a scream than it is to head it off early.

2. Lie down during the day.
Even when I’m on a business trip, I try to find a way to lie down for at least an hour in the afternoon. I don’t usually sleep–naps screw up my nighttime sleep cycle. So I read or watch tv or admire the view from my motel room window.

3. Eat regularly and healthfully.
However tempting it is to eat badly when I’m traveling, it’s not a good idea to give in to that temptation. I feel far less pain when I eat fruits and veggies every day, don’t overdo the red meat or the desserts, and eschew fast food.

4. Meditate and visualize.
This sort of thing works for me, and nowhere is it more necessary than on the road and in the air. When stuffed into a coach seat on a commercial jet, I close my eyes, control my breathing, and use my mind to control my pain.

5. Get into hot water.
Literally. Whether it’s a hot tub near the pool, a day spa’s upscale digs, or just a tub-shower combo in my motel room, a bath a day helps keep my pain at bay.

Posted in Travel Tips | Tagged , , , | Leave a Comment »

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