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Monday, September 15, 2014

Traveling Pain-Free With Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Rheumatoid Arthritis Tips for Travel webmd.ads.adSeedCall = function() { var self = this; var defer = new jQuery.Deferred(); // need a set a 1 second timeout here to resolve it if the ad call hangs // if we get to 1 seconds, resolve the deferred object self.adSeedCallTimeout = setTimeout(function(){ defer.resolve(); webmd.debug('timeout happened'); },1500); // grabs pageview id out of global scope and makes sure it exists as we need to pass it to ads in that case var pageviewId = window.s_pageview_id || ''; // save out the PB iFrame URL as we need to clean it up var iframeURLOutOfPB = '//as.webmd.com/html.ng/transactionID=1477436773&tile=1780121015&tug=&pug=__&site=2&affiliate=20&hcent=1209&scent=1194&pos=5200&xpg=1834&sec=&au1=&au2=&uri=%2frheumatoid-arthritis%2fd2n-ra-13%2ftravel-pain-free&artid=091e9c5e80cd8d02&inst=0&leaf=14610&cc=10&tmg=&bc=_m05_r52_&mcent=µ=¶ms.styles=json01&pvid=' + pageviewId; // remove the ampersands. This regex is cleaner than trying to drop it into an element and all that, as all we want it to replace the &'s var cleanIframeURL = iframeURLOutOfPB.replace(/&/g, '&'); // using require instead of webmd.load as we will eventually depracate webmd.load require([cleanIframeURL], function(){ // if you get here before the timeout, kill it clearTimeout(self.adSeedCallTimeout); // go ahead and resolve the deferred object. We will wait for lotame defer to be done, if it exists though // that allows us to make sure the lotame audience values are in the ads_perm cookie (or timeout occurred) // // if the ad call took forever and the deferred object was already resolved with the timeout, that is ok // because of deferred functionality, it will not be resolved again. Thanks jQuery if(webmd.object.get('webmd.lotame.defer')) { webmd.lotame.defer.done( function(){ defer.resolve(); } ); } else { defer.resolve(); } webmd.debug('actual seed call came back'); } ); return defer.promise(); } webmd.ads.adSeedCallPromise = webmd.ads.adSeedCall(); // self executing function for scope (function(){ // grabs pageview id out of global scope and makes sure it exists as we need to pass it to ads in that case var pageviewId = window.s_pageview_id || ''; var iframeURLOutOfPB = '//as.webmd.com/html.ng/transactionID=1477436773&tile=1780121015&tug=&pug=__&site=2&affiliate=20&hcent=1209&scent=1194&pos=101&xpg=1834&sec=&au1=&au2=&uri=%2frheumatoid-arthritis%2fd2n-ra-13%2ftravel-pain-free&artid=091e9c5e80cd8d02&inst=0&leaf=14610&segm=0&cc=10&tmg=&bc=_m05_r52_&mcent=µ=&pvid=' + pageviewId; var cleanIframeURL = iframeURLOutOfPB.replace(/&/g, '&'); // here we will use some of the ad params in the XSL to populate webmd.ads.params // we could move to use this param object to create ads instead of the URL above, but that will require a fundemental // change to webmd.ads, as the refresh function takes the "src" tag instead of individual params // something to look into as far as the future webmd.ads.params = { 'affiliate':'20', 'hcent':'1209', 'scent':'1194', 'xpg':'1834', /* leaf is all weird coming out of the XSL so we have to do this hack to it */ 'leaf':'&leaf=14610'.replace(/&leaf=/, ''), 'site':'2', 'transactionID':'1477436773', 'tile':'1780121015' } var ad = { adLocation:'banner', adURL:cleanIframeURL, trans:'1477436773', tile:'1780121015', pos:'101' }; // check to make sure this seed call functionality exists, if it does, dooo it if(webmd.object.exists('webmd.ads.handleAdSeedCall')) { webmd.ads.handleAdSeedCall(ad); } })(); Skip to content WebMD: Better information. Better health.

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Arthritis Health Center

Rheumatoid Arthritis Health Center

Day2Night RA Tips for Better Living Email a Friend Print Article if (pf_param == "true") {printElements();} Day2Night: You & RA – Tips for Better Living False Traveling Pain-Free With RA WebMD Feature

By R. Morgan Griffin

Reviewed By David Zelman, MD

Traveling with rheumatoid arthritis is a little more complicated, but it doesn't have to be less fun.

"There's no reason you can't travel just because you have RA," says Victoria Ruffing, RN, program manager at the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center in Baltimore. "You just need to take some extra precautions before you go."

Planning Pain-Free Travel

First things first: Where are you going? Most of the world should be open to you, but there are a few things to think about.

Make it relaxing. If you have RA, you need rest. If you don't get it, your symptoms could flare. So make sure to plan plenty of downtime. Now is probably not the time to plan a trip around the world. You can go just about anywhere you like, as long as you don’t overload your plans, says Jane McCabe, OTR/L, an occupational therapist and certified aging-in-place specialist in Laguna Hills, Calif. Set your own pace. If you're thinking about traveling with family or friends or on a tour, make sure that you won't be stuck on a strict or draining schedule, McCabe says. You need to have control over your day. Plan for your health. Will you have easy access to medical care if you need it? Identify hospitals and a pharmacy in the areas where you’ll be traveling. Talk to Your Doctor

Before you go, ask your doctor:

Does this trip seem like a good idea? If you're new to traveling with RA, see what your doctor thinks about your trip plans. What vaccinations do I need? You may not be able to receive certain travel vaccines if you’re on a biologic medication. Should I take any special medications? Your doctor might want you to have other drugs on the road in case you run into problems. For instance, steroids could help if you overdo it and have a painful flare, Ruffing says. Antibiotics could be handy if you get an infection. Can I get an extra copy of my prescriptions? Losing your medication could derail your trip. Booking Your Room

When you travel with RA, your hotel room is more than just a place to crash. It's a refuge. So do some research to find a place that's comfortable and easy to manage. You may want:

A room near the elevator or entrance, so you don't have to walk too far A bathroom with a tub or shower that's easy to get in and out of Easy access for a walker or wheelchair if you use one A refrigerator, in either your room or a secure area, if you need to keep medicine cool Packing for Your Trip

To conserve energy and avoid pain:

Choose the right luggage. "You need wheels on everything," says Lenore Frost, PhD, OTR/L, a clinical assistant professor of occupational therapy at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn. Suitcases that roll are easier on your joints and less tiring to move. For day trips while you're away, use a backpack or a bag with a shoulder strap to spread the weight. Handheld bags can put too much stress on your fingers and wrists. Keep your medications in your carry-on. You're less likely to lose them, and you'll know they’re safe. "RA medications can be fragile," Ruffing says. "If you pack them in your check-in luggage, temperature or pressure changes could potentially damage them." The Transportation Safety Administration says that once they’ve been screened, all types of medication are allowed through checkpoints. Pack for comfort. What’s most important? Shoes that offer good support. 1 2 Go to next page

#url_reference {display: none};#url_reference { display: block; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 10px; }#logo_rdr img { visibility: visible; }.titleBar_rdr .titleBarMiddle_fmt { padding-top: 1.5em;} Day2Night Bedroom Walking Tips Video: Easier Dressing With RA Assistive Devices Better Mornings Staying Intimate. Kitchen Essential Nutrients Tips for Daily Tasks Food Prep & Cooking Video: Pain-Free Grocery Shopping Office Video: Workplace Comfort for RA Fight Fatigue Talking About RA Stress Busters Doctor’s Office Arthritis Meds Video: Stay at a Healthy Weight Complementary Therapies RA and Your Health Social Getting Out and About Video: Easy Entertaining With RA Traveling Pain-Free Related Health Centers Rheumatoid Arthritis Arthritis Health Center Pain Management // self executing function for scope (function(){ // grabs pageview id out of global scope and makes sure it exists as we need to pass it to ads in that case var pageviewId = window.s_pageview_id || ''; var iframeURLOutOfPB = '//as.webmd.com/html.ng/transactionID=1477436773&tile=1780121015&tug=&pug=__&site=2&affiliate=20&hcent=1209&scent=1194&pos=113&xpg=1834&sec=&au1=&au2=&uri=%2frheumatoid-arthritis%2fd2n-ra-13%2ftravel-pain-free&artid=091e9c5e80cd8d02&inst=0&leaf=14610&segm=0&cc=10&tmg=&bc=_m05_r52_&mcent=µ=&pvid=' + pageviewId; var cleanIframeURL = iframeURLOutOfPB.replace(/&/g, '&'); var ad = { adLocation:'left', adURL:cleanIframeURL, trans:'1477436773', tile:'1780121015', pos:'113' }; // check to make sure this seed call functionality exists, if it does, dooo it if(webmd.object.exists('webmd.ads.handleAdSeedCall')) { webmd.ads.handleAdSeedCall(ad); } })(); // self executing function for scope (function(){ // grabs pageview id out of global scope and makes sure it exists as we need to pass it to ads in that case var pageviewId = window.s_pageview_id || ''; var iframeURLOutOfPB = '//as.webmd.com/html.ng/transactionID=1477436773&tile=1780121015&tug=&pug=__&site=2&affiliate=20&hcent=1209&scent=1194&pos=121&xpg=1834&sec=&au1=&au2=&uri=%2frheumatoid-arthritis%2fd2n-ra-13%2ftravel-pain-free&artid=091e9c5e80cd8d02&inst=0&leaf=14610&segm=0&cc=10&tmg=&bc=_m05_r52_&mcent=µ=&pvid=' + pageviewId; var cleanIframeURL = iframeURLOutOfPB.replace(/&/g, '&'); var ad = { adLocation:'right', adURL:cleanIframeURL, trans:'1477436773', tile:'1780121015', pos:'121' }; // check to make sure this seed call functionality exists, if it does, dooo it if(webmd.object.exists('webmd.ads.handleAdSeedCall')) { webmd.ads.handleAdSeedCall(ad); } })(); Community Insights: Hot Topics in WebMD's Community

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Monday, September 15, 2014

Traveling Pain-Free With Rheumatoid Arthritis

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