This is the last in the series. Read Part 1.
In my last column, I described how I plan to travel abroad as someone with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), a type of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). Planning an international trip requires forethought and awareness of potential pitfalls. Once you arrive at your destination, there are things you can do to effectively manage your disease and ultimately make your trip enjoyable.
Here are some tips for managing your AAV once you arrive at your international destination.
The first day does not count
While it may be tempting to get straight to work and make the most of your time abroad, I’ve learned that the first day is inevitably a rest day. Traveling can be energy-sapping and cause discomfort due to airport navigators, fast food and in-flight meals, lack of sleep on the plane, and jet lag. Dealing with chronic fatigue during jet lag is a whole other level of complexity.
When you arrive at your destination and know that you still have the next leg of your journey to do, plan to spend a night in the first port of call to get a good night’s sleep, reset, and feel much better ready to leave the next day.
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Start with fewer spoons
I get it. You only have a limited amount of time to see what you want to see. You don’t want your trip to be a waste of time or money. It’s tempting to pack everything in and think you can recover when you get home. But while traveling abroad, I noticed that my daily “spoon” count (a metaphor for energy levels defined by the spoon theory) was always one less than usual.
Unfamiliar foods, different medication timing, and increased energy expenditure while traveling abroad can have a cumulative effect on disease management. Cutting back on a spoonful each day and not taking time to rest can eventually, by day four, make it all fall apart.
Plan for rest periods into your itinerary each day to conserve energy throughout your trip, as spoons will be scarce.
Find a grocery store
I have gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms associated with EGPA, and eating new or unfamiliar foods can make my GI tract regret the trip.
When I arrive in a foreign country, I like to go to a grocery store or local general store first. Not only do I get to experience the culture, but I’m also more likely to find fresh foods and options that won’t overwhelm my sensitive stomach, like fruits, vegetables, nuts, simple crackers, and bottled water.
Keeping healthy foods on hand will also help stave off steroid-induced hunger pangs, so if you need to take a break between meals, having these foods on hand will give you a reason to take it easy.
Don’t be afraid of Plan B
If you’re traveling with others, it can be disheartening to have to cancel plans because you’re feeling unwell. Instead of thinking of canceling, think of it as having to do Plan B. In this case, Plan B is a lower-energy activity that still gives you the same (and maybe even more) cultural experience.
For example, if your family wants to do a marathon museum tour that involves long walks and lots of stairs, Plan B might involve people-watching over a coffee at a local cafe. Discuss the need for a Plan B with your travel companions in advance to avoid any heartbreak or regret.
These are just a few of the tips I’ve found helpful in managing illness once you arrive at your international destination. Following these strategies can help you enjoy your trip and make it more memorable. After all, isn’t one of the purposes of traveling to create great memories? Have a nice trip!
Note: ANCA Vasculitis News is a website that provides news and information about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Opinions expressed in this column are not those of ANCA Vasculitis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to stimulate discussion about issues relating to ANCA vasculitis.
