4 Survivor Tips: Vacationing With RLS

Summer is upon us. And that often means vacations. While that conjures up all sorts of amazing images of flying off to a tropical island and relaxing on the beach, for those of us with restless legs syndrome (RLS), it also means some additional planning.

Thinking ahead about how we're going to manage our symptoms away from home can help make our vacation a whole lot more enjoyable. Each one of these things is something that, at one time or another, I've wished I'd thought about before heading out.

How am I going to get there?

Whether it's by car, train, bus, or plane, traveling can be torture for someone who needs to be able to move. No one wants to be limited on how they can travel and where they can go, but depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may want to think about this part of the journey first.

Questions you might ask yourself:

• Do I need to book an aisle seat?
• Can I get up and move around?
• Will there be stops along the way?
• What time of day will it be best for me to travel?
• Will I need to take my medication while en route?

Of course, if you're traveling in a group, some of these options might be out of your control, but even making 1 or 2 adjustments to the plans might make all the difference.

Pro tip: be prepared for the journey to take longer than you planned.

What is the lodging situation?

Chances are, when everyone else retires for the night, your night might just be beginning. Will there be room for you to move around during the night without disturbing others? Is there somewhere safe to walk nearby? Is there a bathtub in the room?

My brother and his family are avid campers. They camp in snow, rain, whatever. The last time I ventured out with them, it was pouring rain, and I was in a one-man pup tent with my 120 lbs dog. It was also not safe to go out alone in the middle of the night – bears, rattlesnakes, and all. I decided then that as much as I love my family, camping just isn't an option for me.

Pro tip: don't buy a one-man tent if you have RLS.

Don't forget to pack your meds

Make sure you have enough medication for your entire trip well before you start packing your bags. You don't want to be rushing around last minute trying to fill your prescription or running out of meds halfway through your vacation. If you can, take your medication in your carry-on, just in case (heaven forbid) they lose your luggage.

If you're traveling to another country, it's a good idea to check to see if your medication is listed as a controlled substance or if there are any restrictions. I take a low-dose opioid for my RLS, and I'm always a little on edge when I leave my country. I pack only the exact number of tablets I need for the trip and travel with them in the original bottle. So far, I've not had any problems, but I still do work up a sweat each time.

Pro tip: pack your medication before your bathing suit.

It is OK to have extra baggage

Be sure to bring with you any other items you regularly use to help ease your RLS symptoms that might not be available where you are staying. It might seem inconvenient to pack extra things, but you may end up wishing you had.

I'm always tempted to pack my chunky, non-tip step stool that I use for stretches every evening, but that would be silly. I certainly have regretted not having it on a few occasions, though.

Pro tip: I'm sure most of us go out of our way not to inconvenience other travelers, but it's your vacation too, so do what you need to do and enjoy your trip! And please share with us any RLS vacation survivor tips you might have.