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.

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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