Tips for cruising with chronic pain?

I have Fibro and have had for years. PLEASE DO rent a wheelchair. I say wheelchair because that way you will always be close to your husband and can always communicate with each other. Always use your WC down the L O N G halls or you'll be give out before you get to where you are going. You can always leave your WC parked and walk into the theater, Dining Room, or just shopping.

If you find yourself getting tired, take a nap. You are on vacation and you want to feel like it.

The hot tubs are not very hot, this is true, but the warm swirling water feels wonderful! Massages help a LOT too.

Contact the cruise ship and airports telling them you are handicapped and need WC assistance. Do NOT feel bad, this will help Hubby tremendously also. You can preorder your WH and it will be in your room when you get there. When you leave, just leave it in your room and they will come pick it up. Do not rely on Carnival to loan you one, they just don't have but a few and they use those daily. If I can be of any more help you can pm me at Deena4701@hotmail.com Enjoy your cruise to the fullest!

You, your Hubby and Fibro can all have a wonderful time on a cruise if you will just allow yourself to be "pampered" a bit.

I have Fibro and have had for years. PLEASE DO rent a wheelchair. I say wheelchair because that way you will always be close to your husband and can always communicate with each other. Always use your WC down the L O N G halls or you'll be give out before you get to where you are going. You can always leave your WC parked and walk into the theater, Dining Room, or just shopping.

If you find yourself getting tired, take a nap. You are on vacation and you want to feel like it.

The hot tubs are not very hot, this is true, but the warm swirling water feels wonderful! Massages help a LOT too.

Contact the cruise ship and airports telling them you are handicapped and need WC assistance. Do NOT feel bad, this will help Hubby tremendously also. You can preorder your WH and it will be in your room when you get there. When you leave, just leave it in your room and they will come pick it up. Do not rely on Carnival to loan you one, they just don't have but a few and they use those daily. If I can be of any more help you can pm me at Deena4701@hotmail.com Enjoy your cruise to the fullest!

You, your Hubby and Fibro can all have a wonderful time on a cruise if you will just allow yourself to be "pampered" a bit.

Deena,

I couldn't agree more! If you ever want to take a cruise with a whole BUNCH of fibromites, just let me know. :D:D:D Julie@fibrocruise.com

Then you must have a special agreement in place with them. Even special needs had confirmed the answer is no for medical.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

I doubled checked on this with Special Needs via email. I now have it in writing from a supervisor. Here is the official response:

"Heating pads are only allowed in their box/package and it must have the automatic shut off feature list on the box/package."

Hi i came across this thread and thought id give some ideas ive got a number of chronic pain illnesses and a mobility disability and have not long returned from our 2nd princess  cruise this time a 10 dayer to FNQ on the sea princess but this time organized a few things that would make the cruise more acessable for me ,i decided to hire a folding mobility Travel scooter it folds up like a suitcase  this wasnt easy but after the 20th phone call found someone who'd hire one made the cruise so much more enjoyable all round could even take on shore excursions, we also decided to take princess tours honesty they couldnt do enough to make this an enjoyable experience and help was available along the way especially on the kurunda skyrail helping me and scooter  and my carer and the outer  great barrier reef agincourt pontoon i couldn't take the scooter on that one put wheelchair assistance was available as needed along the journey , we did have wheelchair embarkation and disembarkation and my carer wheeled the scooter thru alongside, i also listened to my body as was feeling pretty exhausted and fragile when we arrived at airlie beach so decided not to go ashore  but had a beautiful view as i swam in the aft spa pool and enjoyed the wonderful scenery of the whitsundays from our balcony cabin as well, i found by making a few changes on this cruise from our 1st cruise which i found exhausting it made for a much more restful enjoyable holiday ,i planned the cruise over 18mths just pacing things out i also took webster packs for my meds much better than taking loads of med box's we also had wheelchair assistance at the airport which was very helpful and avoided the ques as we had priority boarding and we recieved an upgrade to extra room seats all these things made a difference, there's plenty of help out there it just took some homework and it all came together and the cruise was wonderful ,remember to listen to your body and take rest breaks as needed i knew i couldnt do all the activities on the ship so picked just a few the same went for shore tours, i took my scooter to the dining room and the waiters parked it and recieved help at the buffet recieved help everywhere really and with a smile ,hope this helped 

Definitely get a wheelchair, or scooter, hire one or buy one.

take regular breaks and nana naps.

try to follow your home routine as much as possible, be aware of foods and drinks that act as triggers.

I know this thread was started a while ago now, but the advice herein is still good.

For our most recent 2 cruises I have hired a powerchair for use onboard. This apparent reduction in independence has actually been anything but. Instead of OH pushing my manual chair to wherever I want to go, then going to do his own activity; coming back to take me to my next venue and then going on to whatever he is doing next (meaning that at least one of us would be late to wherever we were going), I can just go and do what I want and meet OH at a pre-agreed time and place. No more arguing about whether or not to do the show, I can go if I want and he doesn't feel under pressure to join me unless he chooses. It really has made a huge difference to me, such that I am now looking at buying my own.

To add to my post-i also asked our room stewart for extra pillows to prop my legs up no probs at all  ,i will rethink about taking a folding scooter though for our next cruise main reason i found my traveling carer/companion had to be with me to operate the lifts and guide me out the lifts were always full and it took forever to get one that would accomodate my scooter this is where i get a bit annoyed able bodied not using the stairs or see you have been waiting but people just jump in front mostly people are  accomodating though ,so maybe a walker might be the way to go 

I'm re-absorbing all the tips as my body has gotten worse over the years and the pain can be more intense than I can handle sometimes.

On ‎12‎/‎11‎/‎2015 at 12:21 PM, parmagal said:

Give yourself permission to listen to your body and not push yourself beyond what you are able to do. If you need to skip an excursion and rest, do so! Don't hesitate to ask for help if and when you need it.

 

I now use a scooter, but before I got to the point of admitting to myself that I needed one, I used a rollator with a seat. The sturdy design helped me maintain balance and not favor the side with pain and I since there was a seat, I could take a break whenever I needed to.

 

On one cruise I was in so much pain that I was absolutely miserable. Out of desperation I scheduled an acupuncture session and found relief enough to get a good night's sleep. As a skeptical person, I used to think acupuncture was a waste of time. Now I have regular appointments and find them to be extremely helpful to me.

 

I hope you are able to find workable ways to maximize your enjoyment of your cruise. Best wishes to you!

My wife would agree with you on acupuncture.  She schedules a session right before every trip!

On 10/29/2018 at 11:55 PM, Deb.b said:

To add to my post-i also asked our room stewart for extra pillows to prop my legs up no probs at all  ,i will rethink about taking a folding scooter though for our next cruise main reason i found my traveling carer/companion had to be with me to operate the lifts and guide me out the lifts were always full and it took forever to get one that would accomodate my scooter this is where i get a bit annoyed able bodied not using the stairs or see you have been waiting but people just jump in front mostly people are  accomodating though ,so maybe a walker might be the way to go 

I agree about how some just don't offer priority to scooters, which we always try to do (or hold door open, etc.).

However, about the "able bodied not using the stairs" - there are some of us who have difficulty with stairs, and some days more than others, but it usually doesn't "show" that we have a medical problem.  It can vary from day to day, etc.  I certainly prefer to take the stairs when I can; any exercise is badly needed, but alas, there are times I just cannot do it, even one flight.

So the "apparently able bodied" aren't always...

GC

On 10/30/2018 at 2:55 PM, Deb.b said:

To add to my post-i also asked our room stewart for extra pillows to prop my legs up no probs at all  ,i will rethink about taking a folding scooter though for our next cruise main reason i found my traveling carer/companion had to be with me to operate the lifts and guide me out the lifts were always full and it took forever to get one that would accomodate my scooter this is where i get a bit annoyed able bodied not using the stairs or see you have been waiting but people just jump in front mostly people are  accomodating though ,so maybe a walker might be the way to go 

Or maybe a power wheelchair, I find it way better than a scooter.

1 minute ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

I agree about how some just don't offer priority to scooters, which we always try to do (or hold door open, etc.).

However, about the "able bodied not using the stairs" - there are some of us who have difficulty with stairs, and some days more than others, but it usually doesn't "show" that we have a medical problem.  It can vary from day to day, etc.  I certainly prefer to take the stairs when I can; any exercise is badly needed, but alas, there are times I just cannot do it, even one flight.

So the "apparently able bodied" aren't always...

 

GC

Toatally agree about the “apparently able bodied”. 

Unfortunateky many think they can judge on sight, even worse when it’s someone with a disability doing the judging.

I thought this was a forum on cruising with chronic pain not tips on attacking my tips on cruising with chronic pain, no where did i say scooters should be given priority and i wasnt judging able bodied people, geez one thing i can't  stand are internet trolls

23 minutes ago, Deb.b said:

I thought this was a forum on cruising with chronic pain not tips on attacking my tips on cruising with chronic pain, no where did i say scooters should be given priority and i wasnt judging able bodied people, geez one thing i can't  stand are internet trolls

Um... you most certainly did "judge" able bodied people...

And you complained (rightly, in my mind, by the way!) about those who don't allow scooters to have some priority or at least easy access...

On 10/29/2018 at 11:55 PM, Deb.b said:

To add to my post-i also asked our room stewart for extra pillows to prop my legs up no probs at all  ,i will rethink about taking a folding scooter though for our next cruise main reason i found my traveling carer/companion had to be with me to operate the lifts and guide me out the lifts were always full and it took forever to get one that would accomodate my scooter this is where i get a bit annoyed able bodied not using the stairs or see you have been waiting but people just jump in front mostly people are  accomodating though ,so maybe a walker might be the way to go 

GC

First off I didn’t read all the post.so may have been said

1 consider seeing a pain specialist if u have not

2 try ultram as a pain Med I have difficult finding  pain meds that work. Ultram is very safe for ur kidneys and liver and does takes the edge off. I take ultram BID every day and use oxy only when the pain is unbearable So I take it PRN

Some advice

3 the best medicine is rest.

4. It was difficult for me to come to term with my early retirement. Then after some research I found out that people like me who suffer from cerebral palsey and suffer the same symptoms as u described.

people with are symptoms  exert at least twice as much energy and efforts a person without are Condition. So take the number of years you have been working start with ur very first job and multiple x 2 and that is the true number of years you have been working. Then compare your number of years working with the number years a person with out your condition.

Im willing to bet that you have worked or stayed actives long  as a health person or even longer.

4 minutes ago, jmspls72 said:

First off I didn’t read all the post.so may have been said

 

1 consider seeing a pain specialist if u have not

 

2 try ultram as a pain Med I have difficult finding  pain meds that work. Ultram is very safe for ur kidneys and liver and does takes the edge off. I take ultram BID every day and use oxy only when the pain is unbearable So I take it PRN

 

Some advice

 

3 the best medicine is rest.

4. It was difficult for me to come to term with my early retirement. Then after some research I found out that people like me who suffer from cerebral palsey and suffer the same symptoms as u described.

 

people with are symptoms  exert at least twice as much energy and efforts a person without are Condition. So take the number of years you have been working start with ur very first job and multiple x 2 and that is the true number of years you have been working. Then compare your number of years working with the number years a person with out your condition.

 

Im willing to bet that you have worked or stayed actives long  as a health person or even longer.

 

 

I hadn't heard of Ultram, so I checked.  Apparently, it's "Tramadol", which more of us may have heard of.

It's also a narcotic, so do be aware of that (in terms of both traveling, and general safety).

But if one can avoid frequent use of some other meds, such as acetaminophen, that can make a real difference in terms of damage to other organs.

So sorry you have had a lifetime of pain.

It certainly interferes with so much...

GC

Great information here.

I am adding my thoughts of what works for me.

First my background spinal fusion L4-5 with bone graft and 4 surgical screws and spacers about 12 years ago. Inoperable right shoulder rotator cuff tear. Missing acl tendon right leg. 2 meniscus operation right leg.

Left side of neck fused with bone spurs. 

Large cystic structures both kidneys.

I had a concrete company for 40 plus years and 3 kids in private college so I couldn’t get things fixed. I’ve adapted and learned what helps.

Tried acupuncture for a year. I think it’s a ripoff.

Doctors will give you drugs like crazy.

I have found all kinds of yoga to help. Magic 4 healing yoga was my starting point after surgery. Now in addition to that I do flow yoga and other piyo classes.

On a cruise ship I stretch and do legs up the wall pose every morning. Eat fruit and salad during day. At night I’m enjoying the food in MDR. But I’m looking in my mirror and I’m always concerned about weight.

I usually bring my stretch rubber bands for my exercises. I also bring a hand roller for my legs.

Some Cruise lines like Celebrity offer fresh berries and chia seeds with plain yogurt in aqua spa cafe. 

With the wealth of information on the internet it’s easy to find information that can work for you and your particular situation. 

I feel your pain as I’m still often in pain and feeling relief while doing yoga and meditation are a relief.

Namaste!

Shows just how different we are.

whie mist accurpuncturists are quacks a good one is worth his weight in gold. Mine was a ful qualified medical practitioner who was Chinese and trained in Chinese medicine before doing his medical degree in Australia, he was the head of one of the first pain clinics and one of the first in the world to use hyperbaric chambers to he muscle recovery.

Yoga I find painful in the extreme.

as for Doctors just giving drugs please direct me to one that will give opiates now days