Aloha Lila

Is there any other way you can get there other than bus?

Just from my own experience, traveling for me is so hard. Just sitting in a crowded movie theater can send my pain through the roof, I can't imagine being on a moving crowded bus for 8-10 hrs each way. Being in Hawaii our only mode of travel (from island to island or long distance) is flying. And being crammed on an airplane for long periods of time is enough to send me into a flare.

Do you have a friend who would be willing to road trip with you? I am thinking a car would be much more comfortable. For me, a bus would be a nightmare.

Ok, when I travel for long periods of time like on a plane for more than 2 hrs, I take a blanket, a butt pillow, neck pillow, back pillow, ear plugs, face mask / sun glasses, loose comfortable clothing (ex: sports bra, baggy t-shirt, stretchy pants, etc), a carry on with something easy to change into (just in case, you never know), any meds I might need for the next 24 hrs in that carry on, a book or something to keep me entertained, comfortable socks and shoes.

As far as getting bombarded with questions or missing your old life... it will feel great to meet up with old friends. I love it every time I catch up with someone from the life I had before "this". And answering questions, I just try to keep it as simple as possible. The more complicated the answer the more they ask. Worse comes to worse just ask them to google it on their own. Just remind them you have chronic pain that can be unpredictable which require pacing your day, making things easier for yourself, or can lead to you canceling plans. Hopefully they will all be understanding, but don't fret if some aren't. It isn't your fault if that happens. For the ones that do stick by us we learn to count our blessings.

Good luck and I hope you really enjoy yourself! Please give us an update as to what happens.

I, too, would recommend a flight, if you can afford it. That's bad enough for me. I'm only 5'4" and the seating is cramped for me in the rear of the plane. I'll never be able to afford to fly first class, I know, so I just tolerate it as well as I can when I have no other option.

I would recommend that you move around as much as possible while on the bus. You can wear a physical device of some kind of help with the pain, I use one that you can open at the last minute, so it lasts for as long as possible. Sorry, I can't remember the name (darned brain). I'm sure if you ask someone at your pharmacy.

Take as little luggage as possible. Of course, I realize that it will be stowed while you're on the bus, but you will need to carry it to and from the bus. Those bags with wheels are pretty neat.

I think buses stop pretty regularly. You should get up and just walk around every time you get a chance. Even if it hurts. There is a payoff in the end.

I think I would consider wearing an adult diaper. I have tried to pee on a bus and the movement caused my body to rock back and forth and engage those muscles in the torso. That was years ago, before I got sick, but I can imagine how that would effect me now.

Good luck with the traveling.

As for your other concerns, you should just do what feels best for you. If your friends are rude enough to pry into why you are doing what you are doing, I would answer them by just saying that you prefer not talking about your illness. In my experience, there is just no answer that is going to satisfy everybody. A simple, "I'm just not up for it." might do the job. Leave as little opening for another question as possible.

I do understand the temptation to overdo. You just have to be disciplines. My brother, who had FMS, too, wore a watch and set regular alarms to get his attention away from the stress and give him an chance to rest. That is such a great idea, I think.

Now, there is no reason why you need to say this to anyone else, ever. But I have read in several health reports that having fibromyalgia is like being 30 years older than you are. That seems about right to me. Unfortunately, we all have nice, young attitudes to go with that.

Well, that's it for my suggestions. Good luck doing this. Visiting my old friends and relatives just makes me depressed. It's a lot easier to avoid thinking about my former life entirely.

Ditto above, and I *loved* train travel on Amtrak in *sleeper* car. I could lie down and have a door and privacy. Pricey but worth it for me. The stress of airports does me in more than the airplane, always has.

I always pack one b ag, a carry-with, and it's everything i Need or I don't take it. I'm kinda nuts that way.

Lila,

If possible at all, take the plane.

Bring ThermaCare heat wraps with you. In long car rides (for me, that's 3 hrs as a passenger), that makes a big difference for me. The heat lasts 8-12 hours. The warmth relaxes my muscles.

Also, I wouldn't schedule too many activities and meetings close together. Leave yourself lots of time flexibility and rest in between.

Take all meds on time and even alittle earlier before boarding the bus. Being on the bus that long, meds should come due again while on the bus. Make sure you take them before you are hurting! If you have anything for your nerves or can get your hands on something take one alittle before boarding. Remember to have enough to take coming home. Good luck and have fun!
Terri

Get up out of your bus seat to change your position every hour or half hour. Walk during when the bus pulls in for a rest stop.

Wear layers. Something around your neck.

Make a plan beforehand of how much activity is reasonable. Don't stay up past ____PM, etc.

Keep your explanation short (about fibro) and change the subject.

Good for you that you're going!

Thank you all for the advice! You have no idea how much it helpd me. I took the bus yesterday and it went much better than expected. I took icyhot with me for my muscles and dressed in tons of layers and took a neck pillow. I wouldn't have thought of taking that if you hadnt said something! The extra layers were my coziest sweats which was comfy, and then whatever I took off I used as a butt or back cushion. I took muscl relaxers at the beginning of the ride and then towards the end. And the best part? The bus was fairly empty so I got to have the entire back row to myself (4 seats together) and lie down! I even had enough space to do minor arm and leg stretching.

As far as the social stuff goes, my friends are mostly understanding. It is such an emotional rollercoaster being back, because I am reminded once more how drastically different the life I had before fibro is to the life I am leading now. But seeing friends is good, and I'm making sure to rest a lot.

Thanks again, fibro buds!