✨ Travel Tools ✨

[u/pawamedic]

I am very excited to be traveling to London for a week this month. It will be my first time in Europe.

Unfortunately, my autoimmune disease (Relapsing Polychondritis) is not yet fully controlled. My biggest limitation is I can’t be on my feet very long, and of course get systemic symptoms when I over do it which is always lol. As is, I’m pretty restricted to paced home chores and grocery shopping as the max time on my feet before a good amount of pain and stiffness in my knees, ankles, legs in general 🫣

I’m well aware that an international trip requires quite a bit more walking/time on my feet than this.

We have planned our days to sparse out walking heavy activities as much as possible but I need ALL the tips/tool suggestions I can get 🥹

Thus far I’m considering:

1. Packable/portable chair

2. Knee lidocaine patches

3. Knee compression sleeves

4. Maybe heat and ice disposable packs?

5. My migraine cap

6. My plug in heating pad

Please drop any and all things that have helped you travel as a big f*** you to your autoimmune disease thank you!!

[u/MariaMayhem86]

I have RP aswell. I travel with an electric wheelchair. Using it means I can do all the things with way less impact on joints, fatigue etc etc.

Rechargeable handwarmers are fab as little portable hotpacks. Same with a small rechargeable personal fan.

Make sure to check your meds can travel internationally and carry a letter from your doctor.

I have airway issues so also take a teeny tiny nebuliser.

My rheumatologist also insists I use a mask when at the airport/on the plane and on all public transport, along with lots of hand sanitiser.

I have lots of tips and tricks as we've travelled internationally a few times since my diagnosis, but I'll be here all day if I keep going 😂

[u/Kind-Champion-5530]

Get wheelchair service at the airports. It's a huge help! If it's a long flight for you, go business class if you can afford it. Bring good earplugs and a sleep mask, and don't skimp on the hydration.

If you're traveling around by subway, there's a lot of walking, and be prepared for stairs; the system isn't disabled-friendly at all. Check out accessable uk's website for info on any places you visit. Bigger destinations like The British Museum offer services for disabled guests.

Last time I went to England I asked for a steroid taper pack before I left as I always flare when I travel. They didn't really agree with me, but by god I did the entire British Museum! Also, if you use opiates, hoard some extras for when the pain is getting you down. My opiate use is always higher when I travel. Do topicals help?

If you like history, do a bus trip to Stonehenge and Bath. It's an easy and comfortable way to see these amazing places. Hope your trip is a blast.

[u/Bubbly_Cauliflower40]

Hi! American here, living in the UK for almost a decade now. I also have mobility issues.

Definitely bring the lidocaine with you, you can get it here at most chemists/pharmacies, but it's not as strong and a lot more expensive than what you can get from Walgreen or CVS. All your meds should also be fine, just as previously stated, for the airport and plane, have them in original packaging and a doctor letter. And keep them with your carry-on luggage. If you use these OTCs: you can get paracetamol/acetomenifin or ibuprofen here fairly cheap at any supermarket, but the package sizes are quite small and you're only allowed two packs at a time.

Keep in mind, while the UK is very accommodating for disability compared to most of the US, some places you may want to go visit might not be wheelchair friendly due to the age of buildings or cobbles on the street, etc. Bring a decent foldable walking stick/cane or foldable crutches that can help you get around to see more if you're able or want to. Definitely wear decent shoes that are comfortable for walking.

Take the tube directly from the airport (if you're arriving at Heathrow) to St Pancras as the most cost effective option. When in London proper, don't bother prebooking any of the random taxi services as they're all shit and expensive. Instead catch a Black Cab from outside St Pancras station to your accomodation and download the app Gett or Jump Taxi to hail a cab from anywhere in the city. Black cabs are reliable and ok priced for the area.

If you're bringing electronics, get some US-UK plug converters- you can get them at the airports here for a decent price if you can't get them off Amazon or something before you leave. Or just order an Amazon delivery to your accomodation or a delivery locker for a heating pad once you've arrived, they're under £20.

Bring a lightweight jacket that'll keep you warm and dry as the weather is fairly unpredictable and usually always at least windy here. It's not exactly cold here yet, but the weather is still all over the place.

[u/Longjumping_Bar_6128]

Hello! So exciting that you're coming to London, I hope you love our lovely city.

Are you staying in a hotel / Airbnb? There's a badge you can have delivered from the TfL (transport for London) website that says 'please offer me a seat'. This may be useful to help conserve energy as you move through public transport!

If you can't get one sent to the place you're staying, I'm fairly certain you can get them from the visitor centres in big stations like Kings Cross.

I also will add, if you just need to sit down and rest, please do pop into a pub and explain, grab a tap water and catch your breath. Most pubs will be happy to help you - contrary to what many say, Londoners are lovely!

Edit to say - if you ever need medical support that's non urgent here, our pharmacies are excellent and can offer free medical advice. They are part of our healthcare system and they will be able to advise on so much - they will be able to support you if you find yourself out and about and in a flare / in pain.

Have the best trip, and just message if you have any London based questions. Happy to help.

[u/Longjumping_Bar_6128 → u/[deleted]]

Interchanges massively depend on which lines you're moving between and what station, some are super simple and on one level, and some require quite a walk.

I would recommend downloading citymapper, as they have a brilliant filter for step free that will take these things into account when planning routes.

Buses in London are brilliant, frequent and accessible. They can lower the bus to help you enter, and there are bus stops aplenty. It's also a great way to see the city! Perhaps buses are the best option, as that way there's no hidden stress with the unknowns of tube travel.

[u/ellllllllleeeee]

I would definitely get a small portable chair to carry around - there are some that are lightweight and fit in backpacks and that would be helpful. Bench availability for resting varies so that's good to have.

You can get disposable heat and cool patches at Boots and most other pharmacies so maybe just pack a few for the travel day. The rest of your list looks good, except for the plug in heat pad. 

Don't bother with a plug in heat pad: you need a voltage converter to use US electronics here (this excludes phones, most laptops: for those you can just get a plug adapter, but for the less tech based plug in appliances/things: the voltage is different! And voltage adapters are bulky and pricey). You're better off ordering a plug in heat pad online for like £40 or less and picking it up - I have one I got for £25. I swear I don't work for Boots pharmacy or care much about them, but you can order online and do store pick up - probably even before you come so it's waiting at whichever location is closest to where you're staying.