Remembering to take a break is key when I travel with MS

Along with creating memories with loved ones and exploring new places, traveling can be exhausting. There’s packing beforehand, scheduling itineraries, and then the actual traveling, whether it’s on the road or in the air. It can be especially challenging for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS).

As I write this, my partner and I are driving back to Austin, Texas, from Atlanta, where we saw Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter Tour, an amazing experience. The route we chose to Atlanta was about 14 hours each way.

My partner and I split the driving, which was a little hard on me because of my MS-related symptoms. Before bedtime on a normal night, I deal with restless leg syndrome and body aches, and it was worse behind the wheel. While I was driving, my joints ached, particularly my hands, arms, and legs, because I was grasping the steering wheel and unable to stretch my legs.

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When it became too much, I let my partner know and we switched roles to allow my body time to relax. We also stopped several times to stretch and walk, which helped a lot. Being cooped up in a car for long distances is tough, but taking the time to give the body some relief makes it a little better.

Another challenging part of traveling is walking around to explore the destination. We did that in Atlanta, but walking long distances in the heat is not my forte. I found myself running out of energy often since my battery drains quickly once my body signals it’s tired. My problem is that I always think I can keep going, which leaves my body feeling like a ton of bricks.

Luckily, my partner knows me well, and when he noticed my energy dwindling, he suggested we sit for a while. My body thanked me (and him!) for that, because walking around in the blistering heat increases my fatigue and body aches tenfold.

Every time I travel, I’m thankful for the people around me who are kind and understand my limitations, because I sometimes forget that I can’t do everything. I must constantly remind myself that it’s OK to acknowledge when I’m tired and need a break.

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.