Walking Your Wolf: Traveling With Lupus

For the most part, we lupies live fairly normal lives. We work, sleep, eat, do laundry, pay bills and taxes and watch “Survivor”. (What do you mean, you don’t watch? You watch.) Just like everyone else, we like to relax and take a trip. Whether it’s a weekend getaway to a local hotel or resort, a 7-day cruise, or a no-holds-barred trip to Europe, here are some tips for taking your wolf for a walk. (Don’t forget to set your VCR before you leave!)

• Be Realistic With The Big Trip

  If you have heavy-duty joint involvement, then backpacking through the UK is probably not going to work. However, you might investigate a train tour through the Isles. (The trip from London to Glasgow is incredibly scenic!) If you are photosensitive, maybe you should rethink your snorkeling trip to the Cayman Islands. It’s no good to take a relaxing vacation, only to end up in the hospital when you get home! There are so many different vacation options, with so many different levels of activity, you’re bound to find something that you will love. If you're not sure about a locale, why not try an overnight first, to see if it's "wolf-friendly"?

• Pack Light

  You never know whether there’s going to be a skycap around when you need one. If you’re traveling alone, you want to be able to lug your own stuff if you have to. If you’re traveling with someone else, you don’t want to burden them down with your too-heavy extras on top of their own baggage. It’s much easier to pack light with sample-size toiletries, interchangeable wardrobes and only one pair of shoes than to lug things around that you never use while on holiday. (Besides, what a great reason to shop while you’re in your exotic locale!) ;-) For some great tips on packing light, check out travelite.org.

• Pack Smart

  OK, how many of you have heard the horror stories of air travel, when the passenger went to Cleveland, and the luggage went to Tahiti? When you’re traveling by air, always put your meds in your carry-on bag or purse. It’s also a good idea to bring 3 days’ extra of each of your drugs. (If you’re going for 7 days, bring meds enough for 10 days.) That way, you’re covered if there’s a delay or if you drop a pill down the sink. You may also want to bring a “First Aid Kit” of Tylenol, NSAIDs, Dramamine, Benadryl, sunscreen and antacids. (Check with your doc before taking any over-the-counter meds, since they may interact with your other meds.)

  The copyright of the article Walking Your Wolf: Traveling With Lupus in Lupus is owned by Karyn Moran Holton. Permission to republish Walking Your Wolf: Traveling With Lupus in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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