I’ve just finished university and was diagnosed with MS in my first term. Since diagnosis I have had one relapse which occured through a period of exam stress, optic neuritis. I am absolutely desperate to go travelling and I wondered if anyone else had been? My nurses said it was possible… that I will just have to ensure the majority of places I go have a fridge to keep my injections cool. Apparently my injections can also be delivered to me in other countries, which is great!!
Obviously I would absolutely love to go, but I worry about whether or not its realistically viable. It may be better to stay a few months in one place? Has anyone got any other ideas?
I’ll give you one bit of advice I very gratefully have adhered to all my life. Never worry about doing something; only worry about not doing it; you may only get that one chance.
Id say go for it! Maybe it will take a little extra planning but it shouldnt be too difficult to plan out. How long does it take tham to get more medicine out to you and how much notice do they need about exactly where they are sending it…?
Perhaps you could travel freely whilst medicine stocks are high and settle somewhere when they get low to wait for your restock… then carry on freely once you get stocked up… ? That way you only need to properly plan the settled time… as you will know roughly when that needs to be by how much medicine you are going with.
Most places will have a fridge that you can store medicine in. I think you prob might need to take a prescription or letter about the medicines from dr just in case of any problems cause I know some airlines and countries can be funny if you dont have this… im sure someone else can shed more light on this!
Go for it… you only live once and the saddest words in the English language are “If only…”
I have travelled as a single mum in a wheel chair. And had a great time. Don’t let having an illness stop you. BUT do make sure you have thorough travel insurance and carry a copy of all your med’s names, prescriptions and Dr’s details with you at all times. You can down load some pretty handy apps for this now and keep all the information on your smart phone. Make sure you also have copies of your Drs letters outlining the medications you have to take and keep that letter in with your travel documents.
Depending on which injectable you are on you might not even need to refrigerate them either. Copaxone, Betaferon and Rebif can each stay out of the fridge at room temperature for 30 days. But if you are on Avonex it can only stay at room temperature for 7 days. That might help with choosing your accommadation and destinations…
Plan carefully, do your research on where you are going, have some contingency plans in place in case things go wrong and then off you go and have a great time…
Yes go don’t let MS hold you back from anything you want to do. I was diagnosed initially at 19 but they thought I’d had my first symptoms at 4. I’ve travelled widely and lived in NZ, Suadi, Nigeria and Cameroon. I’ve climbed mountains and was a treking guide at one stage. I have several degrees and professional qualifications all done since diagnosis. I spent years abroad (undertaking both voluntary and paid work) and am really pleased I had these experiences. I’ve had children and am still working fulltime. Yes I’ve had relapses along the way, but I coped. I’ve experienced uptimes and downtimes. I’ve worried and then thrown caution to the wind. I’m in a wheelchair now but still work fulltime. If I wanted to do something I did it and refused to let MS dominate my life and that is what I would recommend to you. Go for it - the experience is amazing. Life is amazing.
xxx