The Fear of Going Abroad With AxSpa

By Ali Long

2 min read

As I lie here in bed, listening to a Chili Peppers record, thoughts of worries fill my head.

Since I became sick, I haven’t been abroad. This is one thing that I am thankful to Covid for. I got sick just before Covid started, so even if I wanted to, I couldn’t have gone abroad. A month before I got sick, my boyfriend and I went to the wonderful city of Amsterdam. It was a brilliant last holiday.

So, going abroad is now a huge fear of mine

How will I deal with being sick so far away from my home, from my bed? What if I have a flare up on my holidays? What if my injection is due when I’m abroad? I think that would be a big ordeal. These are just a few of my anxious thoughts. Going abroad is a big worry of mine.

The day has finally arrived, I’ve booked a little holiday. In June, I’m going to London for a weekend. To see the Red Hot Chili Peppers. My favorite band, I feel so lucky that I am going to see them live.

I’m the youngest in my family. I grew up listening to the Chili Peppers. My brothers loved them. I am a very musical person, my whole family are. This band made me realize my love for music. They were the first band that I thought; Yeah, I actually like these dudes, I’m not just listening to them because my family are.

Anyways, back to the holiday

Myself, my brother and his girlfriend, my other brother and his best friend are all jetting off to the UK for a weekend. I feel less anxious that my first holiday abroad since being sick will be with my family. They will mind me if needed and will understand that I need to rest, or if I’m feeling miserable. Let’s hope I won’t be.

I inject Cosentyx every second Saturday. I hope that I won’t be injecting that weekend. I know it’s relatively easy to travel with biologics. You just have to make sure that they will be at the same temperature as they would be in the fridge. But, it would be a lot less hassle if I wasn’t injecting the weekend that I’m in London. Often, I feel really tired and I need to spend the day resting after my injection. I want to enjoy myself at this concert. I do not want to be feeling awful.

I am hoping that by June, the pandemic will be more at bay than it is now. At the moment, cases are sky high here in Ireland, and in the UK. This adds a lot of anxiety to my life. No one wants to get Covid. Especially me, who is immunocompromised.

Even though June is a long way off, it is still something that I am worrying about now. There will be lots of planning and resting in the lead up to my weekend abroad.

How have you dealt with having AxSpa and going abroad? Is it a fear of yours too?

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rachelwbeasley Member
Hey, <inline-mention username="Ali Long" user-id="2106796"/> I traveled to Cabo, Mexico in August, which was my first trip outside the US post-Covid. I’ve never taken an injection with me on a flight so I’m not sure how that goes with security. I normally adjust my injection date if it falls during a trip where we are flying. My rheumatologist suggests taking a steroid pack with me when I’m out of the country in case I have a flare. The air in the plane cabin is cycled and filtered thoroughly so I felt safe and germ free. Definitely plan out your outfits in advance and don’t overdo it packing the night before you travel. Stretching is key at the airport and anytime you are waiting in line. Hydrate too! I also have jerky, protein bars, and nuts with me so I can take my NSAID with food. I’ve also traveled to Nashville, Tennessee and Orlando, Florida by plane in the last few months and I’ve had great experiences. I’m looking forward to visiting Jamaica in June. You are going to have so much fun seeing Red Hot Chili Peppers! Enjoy, Rachel
Lisa Marie Basile Moderator & Contributor
I think it’s awesome that you want to go abroad to see a band. That is so cool. I go to London every year because my partner is from England. I travel very often and sometimes a little more than once a year. Travel is one of my priorities and I’ve been very lucky to do a good amount of traveling. But it definitely is very difficult with this disease. first, I would suggest that you give yourself a few days of extreme rest and care and gentleness the days before your flight. Make sure you’re not stressing your system in anyway and that you’re getting enough sleep. Don’t pack at the last minute or anything like that. On the flight, make sure you have any pain medication you need and pain patches, like icy hot. Get up and walk up and down the aisle as much and as often as you can! Make sure that you can get an aisle seat or that someone you’re with has the aisle seat and can let you out whenever you want to. Stretch often. Often. Often. It’s easy to be fatigued when you are traveling, so just make sure that you are resting as much as possible. Hydrate, eat clean, and try not to drink too much alcohol! It’s very tempting to walk all around and do a bunch of stuff, but make sure that you are also getting at the appropriate rest. If you were only going for a few days, plan out your days so that you have some rest before and after you do things, and that you eat well and hydrate enough.
Kim D Member
Hi <inline-mention username="Ali Long" user-id="2106796"/> I’m a travel advisor and take a TNC inhibitor. Fortunately, my infusions are every 2months (part of the reason my doctor chose that one was because I travel so much) so I don’t have to carry them (although I take another biologic monthly that I can move around a few days if I need to). It hasn’t been easy traveling during this hot mess but I’ve done it I’m flying for 15hours the day after tomorrow! I already have my power bars packed. BTW I’ll be in London in June too! I hope some of that helps build your confidence that it can be done fairly easily. So far the worst that has happened is that I forgot one of my medications on a trip to Jamaica. Managed to find a local pharmacy that had it and they delivered to my hotel.
Anna Samson Moderator & Contributor
I feel that way about travelling too. It can feel so daunting. I hope your trip goes well though, and you enjoy the concert.
Rebecca C Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="Ali Long" user-id="2106796"/> Long - I would love to travel. So glad you are making well-needed plans. My daughter is attending grad school in London or Scotland later in the year, and it would be great if I could go visit. The plane ride from the US is so long. I am not sure I'd manage to sit for so long. It may cripple me and the trip useless and painful. I may have to wait until my disease is managed better with medication and treatment. This disease really dampens life's plan, huh? Over the period of the pandemic, we put off attending the Eagles concert. Very sad, really wish we were able to go. I love my music & concerts as well short excursions to art festivals and such. Haven't been able to do this for a few years now and really miss this activity. Sorry your anxiety is stealing some of the joy. If you feel unwell over the course of the trip, alter plans and rest. You'll have a great time. Warmly~ Rebecca (comm advc)
James Hollens Moderator & Contributor
Hi <inline-mention username="Ali Long" user-id="2106796"/> , I have the same fears about travelling! It's probably the thing that I enjoy the most but the pandemic has made it pretty terrifying as someone who is immunosuppressed. Have you spoke to your doctor about maybe changing the day you inject that week to avoid having to bring it to the UK with you? Not sure how safe that is but it might be worth asking what they think! I'm scheduled to go to Mexico in the spring for my friend's wedding and I will be asking the same questions so if you find out anything I'd love to hear what they say! I hope that you are able to have a safe trip and have an amazing time at the concert! All the best, James (Community Member)