AnnieA
Well-known Member
- Location
- Down South
So my short trip to DC went great. Some things I did, some things I learned:
I don't need a walker on a daily basis, but took it so I'd have a place to sit when fibro and psoriatic arthritis got painful. I did use the walker for that, though not as much as I'd thought, thankfully. My most recent bad fibro flare had ended before the trip. Could've needed it a lot more if the fibro was flared up, so this is the way I'll travel from now on.
Thing I really got right: Choice of backpack/briefcase. Great options for carrying, padded pocked for laptop, lots of great storage pockets. Fits easily under airline seats even stuffed full.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072BMF4SP/ref=twister_B07HF8QT2R?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Thing I really got wrong: Not thinking of getting an injection in my foot with psoriatic arthritis the week before the trip. I only get about one a year and didn't think about how many more steps than usual I'd be taking. All the extra walking really stirred it up.
I don't need a walker on a daily basis, but took it so I'd have a place to sit when fibro and psoriatic arthritis got painful. I did use the walker for that, though not as much as I'd thought, thankfully. My most recent bad fibro flare had ended before the trip. Could've needed it a lot more if the fibro was flared up, so this is the way I'll travel from now on.
- Though my primary psoriatic arthritic joint is my left foot, I do have OA in my right knee. I decided to wear a brace on that knee to avoid having to explain fibromyalgia to people. Glad I did because that knee actually did hurt more than usual on the trip.
- Wish I'd tried the subway sooner. I was worried about it with the walker, but once I got my nerve up and did it, things went fine.
- Wish I'd checked a bag. I carried on two bags: a large duffel bag which fit fine on the seat of the walker and a backpack/briefcase that I either wore or placed on top of the duffel. But since my walker was too wide for the plane aisle, navigating the aisles with the big duffel was very uncomfortable due to arthritis/tendon issues in my right wrist. Next time I'll check a small suitcase that will fit the seat, and carry on a much smaller duffel along with the backpack/briefcase.
- Going to shop around for an easier to fold walker with seat. No problems with it on the plane or actually using it, but was a pain to get in and out of cars.
Thing I really got right: Choice of backpack/briefcase. Great options for carrying, padded pocked for laptop, lots of great storage pockets. Fits easily under airline seats even stuffed full.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072BMF4SP/ref=twister_B07HF8QT2R?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Thing I really got wrong: Not thinking of getting an injection in my foot with psoriatic arthritis the week before the trip. I only get about one a year and didn't think about how many more steps than usual I'd be taking. All the extra walking really stirred it up.
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