What to know before Flying with a Chronic Illness or Medical Condition
Traveling can be a pain - literally, it can be painful.
Whether by plane, train, or car, traveling with medical concerns is usually at least a small hassle if not an entire fiasco. But it doesn't have to be. Or, at least, you can try to mitigate as much of the fiasco as possible.
Know when you work best (and when you don't): If you always come home at the end of the day miserable and tired to your bones, maybe don't fly that red-eye even if it's this or that much cheaper. Would you do better with an early flight so you can be settled in by dinner? Or do you like to have your mornings slow and easy; you can just crash at the hotel late? This goes for things like pain, too. If you have pain in the mornings but you usually do okay at night, an afternoon flight might be more comfortable. You know your body best.
Bring a free carry-on: Many airlines, at least those I know of that are based out of the United States such as Delta, American Airlines, United, and Southwest, allow you to bring a carry-on with you free of charge. The sole catch is that it can carry only approved medical equipment (such as a CPAP or diabetes supplies), meaning you can't pack anything else alongside your medical supplies, even if you have room. So, if you pack this carry-on chock full of souvenirs from your travels, you might just have to check it. You can double-check with your specific airline whether your supplies qualify to avoid any complications at the gate. I recommend carrying a sort of "approval note" just for that extra peace of mind whether it's a screenshot, an email, etc. Extra work now can save you a missed flight later.
Check airline policies: While you're at it, check what other accommodations your airline or airport offers. Many offer assistance such as an escort through the airport, which can be especially helpful for blind or Deaf passengers, translation services, wheelchairs, and more to ensure as easy an airport experience as possible. Travel is already stressful; if an accommodation will help you, use it.
Review Your Specific Requirements: Other considerations for traveling with medical supplies include carrying any prescriptions in the original container with its label and carrying a doctor's note or prescription for any medical devices that might set the security sensors off, such as metal implants. These are not frequently required, but I always think it's better to have and not need, than need and not have. Speaking of needing and not having, I would recommend carrying more of things, such as medications, than you anticipate needing in case you don't get back as soon as you had planned for any number of reasons, such as a delayed flight. Many medications you can also fill early if this is a concern. Also review the airline's policy regarding traveling if you're on oxygen, such as with a POC, -- many require advance notice or you may not be able to fly. In every case, you should be referring to your physician for input.
Traveling with a Service Animal: Every airline has their own unique rules and restrictions, but all United States airlines have the same general guidelines under the United States Department of Transportation (USDoT). One such guideline is the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) which dictates that any recognized service dog must be accepted for transport. Note that legally, dogs are the other service animal that qualifies. Other animals, whether they provide a service or not, can fly depending on the airline. For more information and instructions, I would recommend referring to the DoT's website, linked at the bottom of this article.
Prepare for an Emergency: Ever heard the saying, "Plan for the worst, hope for the best?" Well, that's what you need to do when traveling with a medical condition. The last thing you want is to be having a medical problem, especially in a foreign country, especially especially one where you may not speak the language, and be unprepared. Enlist loved ones to help keep you safe. For example, many people with diabetes who use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) utilize the app's sharing capabilities so that others can get alerts if their glucose levels are dangerously high or low. Many people also benefit from wearing a medical alert: anything from a necklace or a bracelet to a tag on their backpack. I also recommend setting up the medical ID on your phone if you use a model with that capacity. If you use rescue medications, don't forget to pack them, and if you're traveling with someone else, make sure they know how to use them if they can and you are unable to. Carry a list of your current medications and doses as well as any other important information if you were to receive emergency treatment both in your own language as well as any local translation if possible. Lastly, make sure you know the local emergency number. Most commonly this number is 911 or 112, but varies by country. More so, often there is a different number for every service; you don't want to be calling the police if you really just need a fire engine. In the end, what can I say? Better safe than sorry.
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