Vacation and Fibromyalgia

How does fibromyalgia affect vacations?

Have a vacation planned this summer? Here are things to ponder:

Planning is half the fun! Planning is great but expect the unexpected.
Have patience with those charged with serving us. Stress causes chronic conditions to worsen, so we are often told. Stress can be caused by good things as well as bad.
Rest. As fun as vacation will be, schedule time for rest.
Traveling with friends or family? Be sure they know that you may be limited and they should understand when you are unable to participate, or need to go to bed early, etc. Do not feel the need to explain yourself at every turn.
Prepare medications in advance. When flying, keep prescriptions in their original bottles and in your carry on baggage. If luggage weight or space is an issue, consider having prescriptions prepared in blister packs.
Whenever possible choose a comfortable mode of transportation. When traveling by car, take short breaks. Get out and stretch your legs. Traveling by air, stand up, and if possible move around.
Comfortable shoes and clothing can also be fashionable.
Research the destination. Choose a stateroom or AirBNB in a quiet place when possible since insomnia is always a factor with fibromyalgia. Also use apps or sound machines for white noise to drown out unfamiliar sounds.
Flying? Cruising? CBD may be legal in your country and most airlines. However they are not allowed on cruise ships or many countries. Also, heating pads are not allowed on cruise ships.
Consider travel insurance
Whenever possible unplug from texts, emails, and television. It is enormously freeing!
Consider limiting alcohol. There are studies suggesting it could make fibromyalgia worse.
Pamper yourself with a massage, yoga or acupuncture (although they could be expensive)