Grappling with the challenges of travel by air, made worse by MS

I flew to Detroit for work this month, then on to Phoenix to see my parents, and then back home to Kansas City, Missouri. But traveling by airplane has gotten more complicated for me because of my multiple sclerosis (MS). I don’t need assistive devices, so I know my situation could be significantly more difficult, and for that, I’m thankful.

In light of those complications, though, I’ve changed my preparation and in-flight activities to make the experience more manageable.

Traveling, in general, can be exhausting, and fatigue associated with MS compounds the problem. Walking from parking lots, waiting on transportation from parking structures, hauling heavy carry-on bags and pulling suitcases, standing in long lines at the airline counter and security checkpoints, and then walking to the gate can all zap my energy.

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The first thing I’ve stopped doing is overpacking. That’s a hard one for me, as I feel the need to prepare for anything, and then have matching shoes for every outfit. If I’m checking luggage, I aim to put everything I can in that bag so my carry-on isn’t so heavy.

I frequently fly Southwest Airlines because, at least until recently, it didn’t charge for checked bags. That way, even if I took only a small bag, I could check it and not carry it around the airport. Now, I suppose, I’ll make other arrangements. In another good practice, I’ve found that carry-on luggage with four spinner wheels (you can push it around while the suitcase is upright) is much easier to use than the older, two-wheel kind you pull behind you.

If possible, I prioritize nonstop flights. They help decrease the physical strain of long layovers and walks to other departure gates, which sometimes can be far away. I’ve found scheduling a flight in the morning is better for me than flying in the evening. At the end of the day I’m tired, which makes any travel taxing.

As much as I hate to sit around in an airport and wait on my flight, allowing extra time for check-in and security procedures also helps minimize my anxiety and prevents the feeling of being rushed. I try to decrease my stress, and this choice is an easy way to do it while traveling.

I’m usually cold on an airplane, although I don’t think that has anything to do with my MS. I travel with a small, lightweight blanket to keep me comfortable. I know my muscles feel more fatigued and sore if I’ve been cold for an extended period of time, though again, I have no idea if that’s related to my MS.

I’m sure we’ve all heard about the importance of staying hydrated while flying. Drinking fluids before and during the flight has to be balanced with my frequent (and sometimes urgent) trips to the restroom. I know I don’t drink enough fluids while traveling, which is probably associated with increased fatigue.

I usually prefer to sit in a window seat on a plane, but have started selecting an aisle seat so that I’ll worry less about bothering others when I need to go to the restroom. I’ve had instances when I was sitting by the window and needed to use the restroom, but delayed it because a passenger in my row was sleeping. That makes me uncomfortable, and I’d prefer to avoid these situations in the future.

I’m sure this action bothers other passengers, but I hold onto the headrest of the seats when I walk down the aisle. My balance issues seem to be exacerbated when walking while in flight. Any little turbulence will throw off my balance, and I worry about falling. Holding onto something helps steady me.

These are a few ways I’ve found to make air travel with MS easier, so that I can overcome some challenges I’ve encountered with strategies that prevent or minimize them.

Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health 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. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.