Holiday Travel with a Chronic Illness
Traveling during the Holiday Season can be stressful for most Americans, but for those living with a chronic illness, the stress can be overwhelming and detrimental to their health management.
Patients face a myriad of questions and fears like, “What if my symptoms worsen?” Where can I go for help if something goes wrong? Will doctors know how to treat my condition? Will I be able to purchase my prescription medication should something happen?
As daunting as traveling with a chronic disease can be, it shouldn’t stop anyone from visiting loved ones or taking a well-deserved holiday vacation.
Traveling with a chronic illness is possible, and with a little planning it can also be enjoyable.
Below are a few tips we feel can help make your holiday travels less stressful.
Get Your Doctor’s Approval
The first thing you should do is inform your doctor about your travel plans. Your primary care physician may want to run some tests to ensure you are safe to travel.
Having your doctor clear your travel plans will give you peace of mind.
Request a Copy of Your Medical Records
The Health Insurance Portability and Accounting Act (HIPAA) provides patients with the right to request their medical records, including doctor’s notes, test results, and lab reports.
When traveling far from home, it’s always a good idea to have a copy of your medical records in hand. Although healthcare providers can request them when needed, it takes time to receive it. If you are experiencing a severe symptom flare-up, having the records in hand can help speed up treatment.
Pack Plenty of Medications
Remember to pack all prescription medications you will need. Additionally, pack some backup supplies in case something happens.
Place your prescription medications in a carry-on bag. Check the TSA requirements for prescription drugs and medical devices, and ask your doctor to write you a letter to avoid any issues at the security checkpoint.
Time Your Biologic Infusion Therapy to Work With Your Travel Plans
If you are receiving biologic infusion therapy as part of your disease management plan, speak to your doctor about scheduling your appointments. This way, you won’t miss your treatment, and you can still safely travel.
Research Hospital Locations
Always check which hospitals or other qualified medical facilities are close to where you will be staying during your trip.
Check Your Insurance
If you are traveling out of state or internationally, speak to your insurer to ensure you will be covered. If your insurance plan doesn’t cover your medical expenses when traveling, consider buying traveler’s medical insurance.
Don’t Overdo It
Knowing your limits will help you enjoy your trip. Moderation is the best way to manage anything in life. So, on your next trip, remember to:
- Rest when you need to
- Don’t overexert yourself
- Eat with moderation and do your best to stick to your prescribed diet if you have one
- Speak to your doctor about any interaction between your prescription drugs and alcohol
Holiday travel with a chronic illness is possible. By taking into consideration the above travel tips, there is no reason why you and your loved ones can’t enjoy your family vacation.
If you are going on an extended trip, speak to your doctor about being referred to a practice at your destination that provides in-office biologic infusion therapy, so you don’t miss your treatment. As the leader in biologic management services, Altus Infusion may be able to help.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. Any content regarding symptoms and possible treatment of illnesses is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Altus Infusion does not in any way guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information published in its blog and will not be held responsible for the content of any blog publication.
You should always consult your primary care physician for specific medical advice.
