Traveling with Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: What Makes It Easier?
After returning from a really great camping trip with my family and some friends, I'm tired. I'm achy. I'm sleeping even worse than usual. And I'm wondering if I could have done a better job of getting myself through it without aggravating my fibromyalgia (FMS).
I was careful, and I tried to be smart. This was the debut of our tent trailer, which my husband worked hard to make comfortable for me (and it is!) We kept meals and clean up as simple as possible, and I tried hard to pace myself. I skipped activities that might take too much energy or put a strain on my bad back and hips.
I made it through the trip with flying colors. The day after getting home, though, the aches and deep fatigue set in, and five days later I haven't been able to shake them. I'm wondering if I could have done something differently, or if this is just the price I have to pay. (If so, I'll still do it again - it was worth it!)
Have you found ways to get through trips without crashing afterward? What works for you? What mistakes have you made that you've suffered for? Share your stories to help us all! You can post your comments here or in About.com's Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome forum.
Suggested Reading:
- Coping with Fibromyalgia
- Explaining Fibromyalgia to Friends & Family
- Ouch! It Hurts to Wear Clothes!
- The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire
Comments
I don’t think you could have done anything differently that would have another end result.
On those days where I feel peppy enough to do anything, I tend to ‘over-do’ it. Not that i’m in a frenzy…but just doing those things that I can’t accomplish on flare days sets me back. Even a short car trip (an hr. or two) fatigue me and make me sore.
Camping is roughing it for most healthy people, much less those who are not well.
I truly have come to believe…this is the price we have to pay. I sure with it was different.
I have been traveling for work quite a bit lately and I have found if you keep the routeen of exertion similar to your normal pace it reduces the impact of the trip. This means keeping to the normal times for sleeping and waking, as well as that mid day pause I tend to fit in around making dinner.