Flying With AS: Tips and Tricks
I remember the good ol' days of flying to a new city or country and spending the entire flight in a mindset of enchantment and excitement. I’d order a glass of wine, sit back, and watch a movie. It was always just part of the adventure for me. Sure, the seats have always sucked — but it was still doable.
Enter ankylosing spondylitis, a demonic beast that makes flying a torturous occasion. I cannot stress to you enough how that enchanted feeling has changed at this point. But, of course, I'm probably preaching to the choir.
Let’s just say that a plane ride has become a means to an end — and a torturous one at that. For me, the plane journey is an obstacle course for my body.
There are so many unknowns prior to boarding (unless I manage to actually pick my seat): Will I get an aisle seat?
Will I be able to get up and move around?
Will the chairs be too tiny?
Will there be any lower back support?
Will the headrest jut forward and make me feel stiff and painful?
How will my pain levels be when I get off the plane?
Will the journey completely ruin the next day of travel?
How fatigued will be by the time I get to the airport and how much worse will it be by the time I get off the flight?
Each of us live a very different experience with ankylosing spondylitis, that's for sure. For some, taking a flight is simply a non-option. For others, buying a first-class ticket is the only way. For others, financial limitations keep people from sitting in first class.
For some of us, flying can be totally doable as long as you plan ahead (and accept the discomfort). I am in that latter category. I always buy economy (sad, I know, ha!) and I am still healthy enough to fly — even if it means I’m very, very uncomfortable the whole entire time.
I fly pretty frequently because my partner is half English and half Brazilian, and his family is international. We travel to see them at least once a year, and I probably travel a few times in between with friends.
Here are my tips for a better journey
Get enough rest the days leading up to the flight
This means no packing last minute or staying up late finishing work. Not only will this enable your body to have the strength that needs, but your stress levels will also be much lower. When all that cortisol is racing through your body, it can have an effect on inflammation, flaring you up for the ride. Keep it cool and calm and collected.
Invest in good luggage
No horrible backpacks. No heavy, crammed totes or duffles. Keep it as light as possible.
Invest in pain patches
I like to use IcyHot patches on my upper back and lower back. You can apply them in the bathroom before you get on the plane, and they should last about eight hours. Pro tip: if you can get someone to help you apply the patch, even better. It can be a bit tricky to lay the patch across your back yourself from the inside of a tiny bathroom stall.
Make sure you pack any medicine in your carry-on bag
If you need Tylenol or painkillers during the flight, you want them within reach.
Pre-prep a playlist ahead of time
A lot of people forget that their playlists won’t work when you are off-line or in airplane mode, so download them to your phone ahead of time! This playlist should include music that keeps you feeling good or music that helps you fall asleep. I like to add podcasts and meditation music to the mix.
If it works for your neck, invest in a travel pillow
Travel pillows always help me fall asleep because they keep my head in place rather than falling down every few minutes. Not everyone enjoys these pillows, and it certainly depends on your neck and spine pain, but if this works for you, don’t forget it! If you order one early before your flight, they are much less expensive than the ones at the airport.
Hydration is key
Make sure in the days before flying and on the day of of your flight you are hydrating properly. Dehydration leads to all sorts of issues and can make it hard for you after you land.
Eat clean food
Forget the heavy starches at the airport. Plan ahead.
Don’t be afraid to walk up and down the aisles
If you can maneuver an aisle seat, even better. This will allow you to get up and down without bothering others as much as you’d like. Find a small vestibule during your flight where you can lay down or sit down or stretch. Don't be embarrassed. No one is watching you. Everyone is just trying to get through the long, boring flight.
Bring a pillow for your lower back
On longer flights, the flight crew may supply a pillow. I usually slot this into my lower back to support my spine.
What do you do before a flight?
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