Essentials for Traveling with POTS
Dealing with POTS on a normal day at home can be difficult on its own, but traveling with POTS is another beast entirely. What you need to have with you for your trip can vary depending on where you’re going and when, not to mention how much room you have in your bags. I sat down and made a list of my tried and true essentials for traveling with POTS. Hopefully these lists help you pack for your trips and feel less anxious about your chronic illness on the go. If you are unsure of what POTS is, please check out this article that gives a brief description of what POTS is and the implications of it. Now, let’s get into it.
Airplane Travel
Before you even board a plane, the airport itself can present a few obstacles such as excessive walking, excessive standing and increased anxiety. Once you make it through all of that and board the plane, POTSies can experience increased heart rate, dizziness and blood pooling due to the low humidity, atmospheric pressure changes and lower oxygen levels in airplane cabins. Here’s what you can do to help you leap over these obstacles like an olympian.
Use a Park and Ride Lot: Aside from being cheaper than airport parking, there is a huge benefit to using a park and ride lot. Lots near you may function slightly different, but here in Texas you can park in a lot away from the airport and then an air conditioned bus comes directly to your parking spot and picks you up. Then you are dropped off right outside of your terminal. This cuts out a good portion of walking you would normally have to do when parking directly at the airport. This also allows you to go from one air conditioned space to another with minimal effort.
Sunflower Lanyard: These lanyards are for guests with invisible disabilities and can be obtained at major airports across the country. Each airport has a different process so check with the information desk at your airport to find out how you can get your own sunflower lanyard. Once you get one, you can fill out the back and wear it anytime you are in an airport. If you were to pass out while in the airport or on the plane, the lanyard will tell bystanders how to help you. Highly recommend this, especially if you are traveling alone.
Medically Pre-board: I learned about this a couple years ago and now I don’t board a plane any other way. When you arrive at the gate, go up to the desk attendant and inform them (don’t ask, you’re not asking permission) that you will be medically pre-boarding due to your chronic illness. I have never had an attendant reply with anything other than “ok” so don’t be nervous to do this! If anyone were to give you a hard time about this or start asking questions, my recommendation would be to immediately ask for their supervisor. Pre-boarding allows you to go directly on the plane and sit down which lessens anxiety and completely takes away the time you would spend standing in the jetway.
Compression Socks/Leggings: Wearing compression on your legs can help alleviate blood pooling during your flight which helps decrease your symptoms. Regardless of whether you do this or not, when standing up the first time after a flight, low and slow is the only way to do it.
Stay Hydrated: I highly recommend carrying a water bottle with you when traveling. Obviously it has to be empty through security, but every airport I’ve been through has water bottle fill stations available. Also, never underestimate the power of a Coca-Cola. This phenomena went around on social media among the POTSies a while back and it’s actually true. None of us know why, but a Coca-Cola is an amazing pick-me-up for us.
Car Travel
I grew up on road trips and still love taking them to this day, but just like airplane travel, car travel presents some speed bumps (ha!). These speed bumps include temperature dis-regulation (especially with others in the car), dehydration and blood pooling. Here’s how you can minimize these effects.
Compression Socks/Leggings/Massager: Just like airplane travel, road trips have you in a seated position for extended periods of time. That causes blood pooling in your legs and feet. It’s much easier to wear compression devices in a vehicle, even the battery-powered massager models, since you aren’t as worried about packing space or strangers watching you. I will be purchasing one of these battery powered massagers to use on our road trip later this year so check back later for an official review.
Bring a Blanket and/or Layers: Being a POTSie means you have trouble regulating your temperature. There is a high likelihood that you will want the car vents set very differently than anyone else riding in the car. Dressing in layers and/or bringing a blanket helps you stay comfortable no matter what your passengers set the vents to.
Stay Hydrated: I highly recommend bringing a water bottle with you on every road trip. Make sure it fits in the cup holder to make sure it’s always easily accessible to you. Since you aren’t as worried about packing space on a road trip, a box of hydration packets will help you immeasurably when trying to stay hydrated.
Disable Parking Placard: I will not lie to you, I didn’t know this was something that POTSies were eligible for, but we are. Check your state’s Department of Transportation website to see what the process is for you specifically. If you question whether you need one, let me ask you one question; do you avoid going certain places because you know the walk to the door will exhaust you before you even get inside? If you answered yes, I highly encourage you to look into getting a disable parking placard. I am currently in the process of getting one because walking across parking lots in the Texas heat makes me feel like I’m going to pass out. I would just encourage you to contemplate if your quality of life would improve with a parking placard.
Other Things to Pack, Regardless of Transportation Method
These are a few items that I always keep in my bag or car while traveling to help combat POTS symptoms. Obviously you can edit this as necessary for you, but I would highly encourage you to create a checklist you can use each time you pack for a trip.
Hot/Cold Patches
Ibuprofen
Anti-Nausea tabs
Personal Fan
Layers (clothing)
I also make sure my emergency medical information is up-to-date in my cell phone so that if anything happens, medical professionals have access to my medication list, allergies, etc. It also wouldn’t hurt to wear a medical ID tag for dysautonomia. I wear one 24/7, but if you are not comfortable doing that, wearing one while traveling could definitely be advantageous in case of emergency.
Please let me know if you have other travel hacks that other POTSies should know in the comments below.
Until Next Time,
Happy Travels
