Travelling with rheumatoid arthritis is possible. It just takes a little more preparation. Mr Schaka lives with rheumatoid arthritis and a related pulmonary fibrosis himself, and splits his life between Liège and Thailand. Here are practical tips, drawn from patient organisations and recognised bodies, for travelling with rheumatoid arthritis while keeping enough energy to enjoy the trip. This is general information only: for anything about your health or your treatment, talk to your doctor.
Travelling with rheumatoid arthritis starts with your rheumatologist
The first appointment of the trip is with your rheumatologist or GP, several weeks before you leave. Bring your itinerary, your dates and the activities you have in mind.
A few useful questions to ask:
- Is this a good time to travel, given how the disease is right now?
- How should I organise my treatment during the trip, including across time zones?
- Are my vaccinations up to date, and which ones are recommended for my destination?
- What should I do if I have a flare or a fever while away? Who should I contact?
- Can you give me a prescription and a letter (ideally in English) describing my condition and my medicines?
Vaccinations deserve special attention. The EULAR recommendations (the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology) advise checking the vaccination status of people with inflammatory rheumatic diseases every year. Depending on your treatment, some live vaccines may not be recommended. Only your doctor can decide: bring it up early, before you book.
Carrying your medicines without nasty surprises
The golden rule, repeated by every patient organisation: your medicines travel with you, in the cabin, never in the hold. A lost suitcase or a delayed flight should not interrupt a treatment. The Arthritis Foundation also suggests packing a little more than the length of the trip, in case your return is delayed.
- Original packaging, with readable labels.
- Prescription and doctor’s letter close at hand, with a copy on your phone or in your email.
- A written list of your medicines, using the generic names (brand names change from country to country), plus your doctor’s contact details.
- Medicines that must stay cold: ask your pharmacist or the manufacturer about transport conditions, use a suitable cool bag and let the airline know. On arrival, ask for a room with a fridge.
Good to know: for Thailand, the Thai Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) generally allows travellers to bring in up to 30 days of personal medication, in its original packaging, with a prescription or a doctor’s letter. Some medicines classed as narcotics or psychotropics need a permit, to be requested online at least two weeks before departure. Rules change: check before you travel on the Thai FDA website or with the Thai embassy.
Light luggage and airport assistance
Long corridors, queues, heavy suitcases: these are often the most tiring part. A few simple choices help:
- A light suitcase with four spinner wheels, which you can push beside you rather than pull.
- Fewer clothes that are easy to mix and match. In Thailand, laundry services are everywhere.
- An aisle seat, so you can get up often. Versus Arthritis suggests moving or changing position roughly every 20 to 30 minutes on long journeys.
Above all, do not hesitate to request assistance for passengers with reduced mobility. It is not only for wheelchair users: it is also for anyone who finds walking long distances or carrying bags difficult. On flights departing from the European Union, this help is free; request it from the airline, travel agent or tour operator at least 48 hours before departure. Elsewhere, ask your airline about its own procedure.
At Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport, wheelchairs are lent free of charge before check-in, on Level 4 (Gate 2), with an ID document. After check-in, your airline takes over. Airline wheelchair passengers and one companion can use the Fast Track lane.
Accommodation that is kind to your joints
A ground-floor room or one near a lift, few steps at the entrance, a practical bathroom: these details matter every day. Versus Arthritis recommends thinking through every stage, right down to the small step in front of the room door.
Feel free to write to the hotel before booking. Ask whether there is a fridge in the room, a lift, a pool (many people enjoy moving in water) and whether it is close to public transport. Staying near what you want to see saves energy every day. If you are also short of breath, Mr Schaka has gathered more ideas in his article travelling in Thailand when you are short of breath.
Heat, humidity and fatigue: finding your pace
In the tropics, heat and humidity tire everyone out. With rheumatoid arthritis, fatigue is often already a travel companion. Versus Arthritis notes that heat can make hands and ankles swell slightly, and that some treatments make the skin more sensitive to the sun. Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether this applies to you.
- Drink regularly, even when you are not thirsty.
- Keep the hottest hours for shade, a nap or an air-conditioned place.
- Wear loose clothes in natural fabrics, a wide-brimmed hat and a high-protection sunscreen.
- Alternate a busy day with a quiet one. Pick what really matters to you and plan rest right after.
Choosing the right season helps a lot. In Thailand, the coolest and driest period usually runs from November to February: the details are in the guide the best time to visit Thailand, month by month.
Good to know: plan a recovery day when you get home, too. The Arthritis Foundation advises against going straight from an overnight flight to a working day.
Insurance that really covers your condition
This is the point most often overlooked. Many travel insurance policies exclude pre-existing conditions that were not declared. Before you leave, declare your rheumatoid arthritis and any related conditions. Check in writing that the policy covers care linked to the condition, hospital stays and repatriation. Save the assistance phone number in your phone and keep a paper copy. Terms change often: check before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Can you fly with rheumatoid arthritis?
Yes, many people do. The key is to plan the trip with your doctor, keep your medicines in the cabin and request airport assistance if walking or carrying is difficult.
How much medication can you bring into Thailand?
As a rule, up to 30 days of personal treatment, in its original packaging, with a prescription or doctor’s letter. Some controlled medicines need a permit in advance. Check with the Thai FDA before you travel.
Do I need special vaccinations?
It depends on your destination and your treatment. Some live vaccines may not be recommended: talk to your doctor several weeks before departure.
Is airport assistance free?
On flights departing from the European Union, yes, if requested at least 48 hours in advance. Elsewhere, check with your airline.
Travelling with a body that sometimes protests mostly calls for a gentler pace. That is also the thread of The Season of Breath, the story Mr Schaka drew from his time in Thailand.
The book
Mr Schaka lives with rheumatoid arthritis and a related pulmonary fibrosis. In The Season of Breath (available in English), he tells of Thailand lived with every breath counted, at the slow pace that makes travel possible.
