I packed my injection in my ice pack and put it in my checked luggage with tons of bubble wrap on it. No problem.

Let them know in advance about your RA - you will get preferential treatment in getting on board.

Make sure you get an aisle seat, then plan on the following:

l) getting up regularly and just moving.
2) in your seat exercising - moving your legs, tightening and releasing joints, making circles with your foot and other simple "in place" exercises.

I also wait until everyone else is off the plane before going down = if you need help, ask the stewardess.


Have a wonderful trip!d

Lynne

Rosemo, Whenever I fly I ask my doctor for a medrol dose pack ( 7 days of prednisone) because I know it will help with the inflammation of a pressurized cabin. Also, my rheumy told me to wearsupport stockings while in flight and to take off my shoes. The only negative to taking off your shoes is the possibility of not being able to put them back on! lol Have a wonderful trip Sedona is one of my favorite spots because of the beautiful red mountains! marcia

Ah....airline travel. I have found out that you don't have to have any "proof" that you need "pre-boarding" or whatever accomodations are avaialable. You just have to notify the airline and tell them what you need.

I was going to fly this summer and I called the airline and told them I need a "bulkhead" seat (the seats that are at the front with the wall in front of them rather than another seat) because I have to constantly extend and flex my knees and have to get assistance getting out of a seat. They placed me there and I read their guidelines online. I could stay there as long as they didn't have a handicapped person (say, in a wheelchair) that could not physically get into a regular seat. I like Lynne's idea of at least requesting an aisle seat so you can get up and down during flight. But if you are in a bulkhead seat, you don't have to get up to flex your knees even when you have to stay in a seatbelt.

Good luck with your travels. I agree...We can figure out a way to do this!

-Caroline

Recently my mom, brother and I went to OK from CA, and I didn't have any significant problems. If you have too much pain and inflammation in your hands, pay the extra to check your bag, otherwise you have to pull it around the airport. I noticed my hands got sore from doing that. Next time I'll check it, it's worth the $$. I sat in the Jacuzzi when I got to the hotel, and that helped the overall stiffness. I was lucky that my brother handled most of the lifting of bags, etc. Have a wonderful time...I didn't have any really noticeable side effects of flying.