How To Travel With Chronic Migraine

By Holly Harding

1 min read

While Holly generally tries to avoid travel due to complications related to chronic migraine, she had to take two trips recently. In the following video, she shares what she learned in the process. From careful planning to hydrating, medicating proactively, and more - you will learn concrete tips to help you on your next journey.

We are eager to learn any wisdom you have learned from traveling with chronic migraine. Please share your tips in the comment section below.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Migraine.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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jenn12 Member
<inline-mention username="Holly Harding" user-id="3755969"/> It sounds like you made your two trips managable. Would that be the word you would use? Did those experiences change your feelings about traveling? I miss traveling so much - the destination part. I figure if I travel by plane I will need to stay at my destination for at least 7 days to possibly give me 2-3 short days of exploration and I just don't have the money for that and can't justify being out and about for only 2-3 hours 2-3 days out of 7 days. I have always been a planner and am now an exessive planner which helps me feel more comfortable. I can really appreciate all of the planning that went into your driving trip. I am glad you had Gracie with you. These days I drive no more than 1 hour to visit family for a few hours and then drive home. Even that is a lot for me. I start preparing for the visit about 4 days prior - I exert as little energy as possible (staying in and doing what I need to do to feel relaxed/calm) , getting my outfit ready (and I am not talking getting all glammed up), not eating anything new, taking any type of medication (ex: allergy meds) earlier rather than later, showering the night before (if I showered the day of, I would not have the energy to go out), and taking my migraine medication immediately upon waking the day of travel/visit regardless of whether or not I have a migraine. I always carry all of my meds with me at all times and bring an ice pack in the car. When I get home I shower and crawl into bed. I rest for the next few days. It is exhausting! It is exhausting just writing about it! So one 3 hour visit plus 90 minutes of travel time takes about 7 days. When I traveled by plane I would bring 2 ice packs with me in an insulated lunch bag along with a note from my doctor. I am really glad you were able to have family with you to help navigate air travel which on the best day for the healthiest person is quite stressful. I just realized that for the past 15 years any time I leave my home is considered traveling. Years ago I might have only carried one pill with me. Each year I started carrying more and more with me - not good for body pain. Now when I go to the grocery store (2 blocks away) or to a healthcare appt. I have my purse bag and a tote bag - meds, ear plugs, sunglasses, water, foldable cane... and it is too cold on the subway so I need a sweater and it is too hot in a cab so I need my neck fan... I am sure I am leaving something out - oh! I have a tiny circular expandable chair that I used to carry and while it is not heavy, it is just too much at this point. Just know if you venture out with me you will want for nothing and have everything you could possibly need. Someone associated all that I carry more with anxiety and I thought - when I am "uncomfortable" almost all of the time, why would I not bring items with me to be as comfotable as possible? And while I may not use everything on every outing, the items I use allow me to pause, breathe, and make it home with as few tears as possible. Thank you for sharing, Holly! Sending you tea and music, Jenn
1. jenn12 Member
 <inline-mention username="Holly Harding" user-id="3755969"/> ❤️
2. jenn12 Member
 <inline-mention username="Holly Harding" user-id="3755969"/> ❤️
azreynolds Member
<inline-mention username="Holly Harding" user-id="3755969"/> <inline-mention username="jenn12" user-id="3768964"/> Great suggestions and tips! I don't travel because of more reasons than migraine: bad back, hyperosmia and my comfort animal, Walter, developed anxiety when he developed dementia. His response to cars is waaaaay worse than a migraine to me. He gets diarrhea and therefore, I spend the trip wearing his diarrhea. Seriously, the worse trip of my life was an emergency trip to Texas (1,100 miles, 2 days of travel) to say goodbye to my BIL... with an anxious dog turning circles and having sudden diarrhea. AWFUL. It was even worse than my 31 hour layover in Atlanta! But I'm glad we went with Wakter because he climbed in bed with my BIL and stayed by his side. After we left, my BIL kept asking for his little brown dog. 😓 But when I travel again (after Walter passes), I will use these tips. I've always been an organized planner too, as I I think everyone here probably knows. When forced into flying, besides taking my Migraine Toolkit, I also carry protein since hunger brings on massive migraines for me. Dehydration is also a trigger, so I carry an empty water bottle and fill it after I pass through security. Unlike most people, I choose the aisle seat because I need to use the restroom more since I drink so much water. It's just being more considerate of fellow passengers, don't you think? I also wear earplugs for the cabin pressure issue. Now that I own WeatherX for barometric pressure, I think I'll try them for the cabin pressure. Of course I'll have my 3M HN95 mask to attempt filtering perfume, cologne and fragrances, but that men's body was Axe, gets through 100% and it's so common, I may never fly again. I pack my ice packs in my suitcase, but hearing you had one confiscated made me wonder about those chemical icepacks. They're not terribly expensive. Might they work instead? Usually we travel by car because of my hyperosmia. And do we pack for it? Ohhhhhh yeah! We carry lunch, extra masks, vomit bags, water, water and water, my special pillow, throws, my migraine toolkit, relaxing music, my car pillow, peppermint oil alcohol paper towels in a ziplock, sun glasses and 2 sets of wraparound shades (like you get when they dilate your eyes), heating pad, chemically induced heating packs, and protein snacks. I'm all about comfort so I don't wear my tennis shoes. I wear crocks so I can slip them off when I want. Baggy pants too. It's all about comfort for me. We have no family along thecway and B&Bs use too many fragrances, but we've found one particular hotel chain that doesn't use fragranced cleaning products or plug-ins, so we always stay with them.
1. jenn12 Member
 <inline-mention username="azreynolds" user-id="3677307"/> and <inline-mention username="Holly Harding" user-id="3755969"/> I will reply with much more when I can - of course I have a terrible migraine. My first really quick thought when azreynolds mentioned perfumes and Axe body products.... I wear a mask every time I leave my home - I put a mint in the mask....it usually ends up resting on my chin. Sometimes mint is too much of a smell for me but when my option is perfume/Axe, I will deal with the mint. More later.
2. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="azreynolds" user-id="3677307"/> Love this level of sharing as it is truly helpful and applicable in the real world. I wanted to share this resource on the topic of ice packs and air travel. A great piece we published earlier this year re: how to keep ice packs cold: https://migraine.com/living-migraine/keeping-ice-packs-cold. Many of the comments (including some of the first few) discuss makeshift ice packs that can be created for travel to avoid potential confiscation. The one I had that TSA took was that lovely (expensive) gel-type pack that never fully freezes/hardens (which is why I love it). I agree fully that road travel is the way to go if at all possible vs. air travel for all the reasons you outlined. We can control so many aspects in ways not possible by plane. Though Walter's anxious bowels do NOT sound like much fun. You painted quite a picture and although I hate if for you, I did laugh out loud reading about it. Would you mind sharing the hotel chain that doesn't use the fragrances? I think that would be a helpful resource for the community. The rest of your ideas were also very helpful and we're so grateful you took the time to share all that you've learned along the way regarding traveling with migraine. Warmly - Holly (team member)
azreynolds Member
<inline-mention username="jenn12" user-id="3768964"/> Do you use an actual mint? Oh my, I would eat that before I got my car out of the driveway! LOL. What I use is either a touch of Dr.Bronner's peppermint soap, or a spray of my peppermint spearmint alcohol spray. That's what we clean out kitchen and bathroom with. 
1. jenn12 Member
 <inline-mention username="Holly Harding" user-id="3755969"/> your idea is great! I was not clear in my writing. When I said 'actual mint' I meant I place an actual piece of mint candy (Altoids) in my mask. The mint candy is more accessible to me but I think a green leaf of a mint plant would be very nice!
2. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="jenn12" user-id="3768964"/> Got it! Thanks for clarifying! Well, between the two of us, perhaps we just birthed a new approach! I'll give it a try and report back. But I love me some altoids too! All love, Holly (team member).
azreynolds Member
<inline-mention username="jenn12" user-id="3768964"/> Altoids! Yes, that makes a lot of sense because they're not sticky at all! Good idea! (But I bet I still end up eating them. Lol.
1. jenn12 Member
 <inline-mention username="azreynolds" user-id="3677307"/> well, one always goes in the mouth first 😀
azreynolds Member
 <inline-mention username="jenn12" user-id="3768964"/> LOL!
1. jenn12 Member
 <inline-mention username="azreynolds" user-id="3677307"/> and <inline-mention username="Holly Harding" user-id="3755969"/> I am so glad we had this exchange. It is finally raining here in Boston (we were in a drought and had wildfires) and that triggers some of my worst migraines. I have been in pain and feeling sad.... had to go in for a dr appt... took the subway and the first things I smell is pot. This is one of those smells for me so I popped a mint in my mouth and then one in my mask and started to laugh - thank you for giving me that laughter and lightness!
2. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="jenn12" user-id="3768964"/> <inline-mention username="azreynolds" user-id="3677307"/> I love this image, Jenn. I agree about the pot smell. It's still illegal where I live but that doesn't seem to stop folks from lighting up left and right (including on some of my favorite nature trails where no smoking signs are everywhere!). Every time I encounter it, my first thought is that there must be a skunk somewhere nearby... At any rate, feeling low this time of year I think is fairly common- add to that the cycle of migraine and how it empties us physically and emotionally again and again. You are not alone in that sensation. I'm glad the stinky skunk smell made you think of our exchange and brought a smile to your face. I swear, by the end of our exchange- I was picturing all three of us chewing on a mouthful of fresh mint leaves, faces covered by masks full of loose altoids rattling around with a bar of peppermint soap to top it all off! Quite the scene! Love you both ❤️ Holly (team member)
azreynolds Member
<inline-mention username="jenn12" user-id="3768964"/> If only I had been so wise as to wear my mask when visiting my neighbor! Her house has never been overly perfumed, but she opened the garage door rather than the front door, and her laundry detergent slammed me. Thank goodness Nurtec is working for me to a fairly large degree. 
1. Tracy Hannigan, MOstMed, ACE-HC Moderator
 <inline-mention username="jenn12" user-id="3768964"/> I have had a lovely jasmine once - I think I try so many I forget what ones I like best. I'm going to go get a new one today when I do my shop and try to pay more attention. I guess the good news is that I didn't dislike any particular one! Chai is wonderful - love it with a bit of hot milk in it. It's my 'cold outside/cozy inside' favourite! Enjoy your jasmine green - I'll raise a mug to you! And I will let you know 😀 Tracy (Team Member)
2. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="jenn12" user-id="3768964"/> Your tea sounds lovely in its simplicity. Like you, I steer clear of dairy, so my chai is made with almond milk. I hope the car issues get sorted out without too many challenges! I'm not a big driver either- but I live in a rural area so can't avoid it. I am enjoying my new drive. It's much smoother and doesn't make me car sick like my last car. Such a relief! Sending love- Holly (team member).
azreynolds Member
<inline-mention username="Holly Harding" user-id="3755969"/> For me, my most hated smells are: (in order because sorry, there are just so many!) -burning plastic - new carpet because it is identical to burning plastic. I've been told it's the glue they use. -smoke of any kind (although I USED to love a good wood smoke campfire) - Axe Men's Bodywash since it gets past my only defense of 3M HN95 masks - a particular lady's perfume that I don't know the name of, but to me it smells like bug spray, also is stronger than these special 3M masks designed to filter chemicals safely!) - all new detergents with polymers, because someone else's clothes smell so strongly that the scent also clings to my clothes thanks to the invention of polymers. - electric ozone just prior to a fire - diesel fumes - gasoline Thankfully some of these I'm not exposed to very often like burning plastic, new carpets and electric ozone. But all of these smells on the list cling to me in varying degrees. If I get in migraine after being exposed, then I must change clothes immediately when I get home, or back inside. And yes, take a shower and wash my hair... which strangely enough, I'm getting ready to do right now. My dog needed to be let outside this morning and multiple neighbors are burning their fireplaces. One of the many dangers of migraines, right?!
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="azreynolds" user-id="3677307"/> Thank you so much for sharing your list of smells that set you off. I appreciate it and share the way that these specific scents not only trigger a migraine attack for you- but also seem to hang around in an especially troubling way- lingering until you literally wash them off of you. I wonder what this is about as I experience this too. The firepit smoke smell triggers me almost instantaneously and it gets into my hair and I can't sleep until I've washed it out. When I put the same coat on the next day, it retriggers me again. I wonder why some of these scents linger like this. Fresh paint also gets me. Again, thank you so much for chiming in. Grateful for your input. Warmly - Holly (team member)
azreynolds Member
<inline-mention username="Holly Harding" user-id="3755969"/> Personally I think an answer to why we're bothered by the clinging, lingering scents is the Migraine Spectrum Theory. It's so logical. It just fits! If we stay in migraine 24/7, then we'll always be super sensitive to scents, plus light and noise. They're not really triggers; they're reactions because we're already in Migraine. My daily headache is usually a level 4 or 5, so it's easy to imagine that I'm in a continuous migraine state. But on those rare days that it falls low enough that I'm not even aware of it (unless I stop and intentionally think about my head pain), then I can really invision the spectrum because I still reacted to stimuli. Even if it's a great day for me, I still reacted to the smells and noise. Plus, I always have to wear sunglasses or else my head easily explodes into a full blown migraine. Also, I think that's why stress sets me off so easily. I mean, if I'm aware I have a mild migraine, stress pushes it into a severe one instantly. With the migraine spectrum theory you can easily connect that if you're already in a low migraine state how stress could push that state up several notches. The only migraine that I haven't figured out are barometric pressure migraines. I don't see where they fit in. Any ideas y'all? 
1. azreynolds Member
 <inline-mention username="Holly Harding" user-id="3755969"/> Quick answer to the migraine spectrum is I heard about it on World Migraine Summit in 2019 so I don't remember the presenter's name. I'll try to look it up, but weather related migraine has started. Time to rest.
2. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="azreynolds" user-id="3677307"/> Okay, my dear. Thank you for following up. If you happen to find it once you're more stable, let us know. No pressure at all. So glad you're resting! All love, Holly (team member).