Ok, so you have an idea of where you want to go. You know what you want to see, where you want to stay… But did you know that there are a few things you NEED to do before leaving for your vacation? I don’t mean the typical “Turn the coffee pot off” or unplug the tv type of thing. Yes, those type of things are a necessary and important part of getting ready to leave for vacation, but I’m referring to some other MUST do’s. Here are 5 things that I highly recommend based on my previous trip.
#1. See your Primary Medical Provider
It’s a good idea to visit with your Primary Medical Provider before taking said vacation. This way, they can be aware of your travel plans and might be able to help with tips and recommendations specific to your needs. You should tell them your destination, how long you’ll be gone and perhaps getting an antibiotic in case of an emergency.
I know it sounds odd. Doctors do not like giving out antibiotics just because. In fact, they are extremely OCD about: “if it’s a virus, antibiotics won’t work.” I am not disagreeing. But one thing us zebras know is: how our own bodies tend to work. For example, I know exactly what’s wrong when I develop pneumonia. My body tends to do the same things when I get sick with pneumonia as opposed to a common cold. I can even tell when I’m getting a sinus infection and I know when I need to go in and be seen.
My body tends to act swiftly when I get down sick. It has been that way all my life. One example is when I was a kid. My mom, aunt, cousins and I had been swimming in the lake one hot summer day. I had been having a great time swimming and laughing. That same night, around midnight, I was rushed to the ER because I had developed a high fever and my lungs were sounding rough. I was admitted into the hospital for a week with…pneumonia. It hasn’t changed since. I can be feeling fine all day and by 2 am be sick enough to be admitted into the hospital.
So yes, when I knew my 12+ day vacation was coming up, I scheduled an appointment with my primary care doctor about a week or less from departure date. He gave me a general exam and sent me with a prescription for an antibiotic that was only to be taken on an “ONLY if needed” basis. He knows how quickly things happen and how I need immediate care, so he had no issue with my request. As the saying goes “Better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it.” I’d rather not get super sick on vacation thank you! And I am sure you feel the same way.
#2. Vitamin Up
One thing I was advised before our trip was to take vitamin supplements. Especially since our trip was during the cold and flu season, those boosts of daily vitamins was essential. Vitamin C, of course, and Vitamin D3 but also a multivitamin that has magnesium and zinc. All the good stuff.
Here again, this is a good idea to chat with your primary care physician. Mine had no problem and highly encouraged it. Each individual is different and might need different treatment, vitamins, ect. It’s always a good idea to chat with your doctor about taking added supplements.
So, we loaded up on the vitamins. I made sure the kids were taking their daily multi vitamin and my older children an added vitamin C for the immune boost. I began taking an adult multivitamin. However, I quickly discovered that my body did not like that particular type of vitamin.
No matter how I took it, with food, without food. After I ate… you name it, and my stomach just did not like it. I began to do more research on different vitamins and just stuck to the vitamin c. But then I discovered the Emergen-C drink packets. I decided to take a chance and I bought some to give it a try. This time, my body seemed to be okay with the vitamins.
Now, I am not here to give an Emergen-C review, but I can say that it helped me. I started taking it months before the trip and even packed enough of a supply to get me through our vacation. It is packed with all the good things to give my body a needed boost. I even switched it up to the Immune Support one (the blue boxes) because it has a higher level of zinc, which is perfect addition during the cold and flu season.
Find the type of multivitamin that works for you and make sure to pack it for vacation. Like any of your regular prescribed medication, make sure you pack it in your carry-on if flying. It’s also a good idea to visit with your doctor as stated above as your doctor might have advice on which brands might be the best for you.
#3. Talk the Pharmacy
If you take any type of prescription on a daily or weekly basis, make sure to talk to your pharmacist about possible prescription refills you may need. Mine was coming due while we were to be gone, and I knew it was medications I did not want to be without. I went in and had a friendly visit with my pharmacist.
There are options depending on the type of vacation and where you are headed. You just need to chat with them and see what the options are. Now if you stay in state, it sounds like you can have them mailed to you from your local pharmacy. However, different types of vacations naturally have different options. Sometimes the only option will be to pay out of pocket for however many or days ect. The only way to know for sure is to… ask the pharmacy.
#4. Hydration Packets (Get those electrolytes!)
This one is especially important for those with POTS or even immune deficiencies. As stated in another page, those with POTS need to stay hydrated, more importantly, with electrolytes. We need the sodium… For those with immune deficiencies, we need to stay hydrated especially the day of and the day after an infusion.
After you figure out how many days you plan on being gone, you need to figure out how many packets of electrolytes you’ll need a day. Now this one is kind of tricky, as I was never good at math. It was hard to figure out exactly how many I would need, but I went with at least two a day. Then I upped it by one or two extra packets.
I think in the end, I packed about 6 to 8 boxes of electrolyte packages, so I probably had more than enough. In fact, I did have more than enough. I had enough to last me till we got home and then some. I bought a variety of flavors so I wouldn’t get bored with just one flavor.
Like your regular prescription medications and multivitamins, pack them in your carry-on or personal bag for the airport. I separated them up between the two so I could have easy access on the plane. Once we reached our destination, I opened up another package and prepared a box of different flavors and my Emergen-C drink packet for each day. I tried to remember to do that at the beginning of each day.
It didn’t always work though, and I learned a hard lesson. There was a day when I thought I had packed some in my purse and son’s backpack. It turns out I had not and I paid the price dearly. By noon I was getting wiped out and I needed to find a shaded area and sit. My family had to find me a drink with electrolytes and brought me some heavily salted fries. I ended up sitting for an hour at least before I regained enough strength to get up and head for the bus area so I could go back to our room and rest a bit.
Obviously, after that experience, I double checked my purse and the backpack every day. I think I even told my family “If I forget where I stashed it, I’m putting them here so remind me.” So make sure to double check your purse each day and keep a small stash where you have easy access. Always.
#5. Research! Research! Research!
ALWAYS, always!! research the area you are going to. Find out every small and tiny detail up to the big “important” ones. Such as: how big is the area; what is the weather for the time of year; what are the crowds like; what are the wait times like…ect. the list goes on.
I did all of that. I even joined a few FB groups for tips and tricks ect for our trip to Walt Disney World. It still did not get me adequately prepared for EVERYTHING. I knew it was going to be a large area. I did NOT realize just how ginormous it actually is. I knew to pack my refillable water bottle (which was extremely handy!) I did NOT know about mobile order or how it worked exactly. Like-refreshing the page if you select a different pickup time. That’s just one of the examples on that particular learning experience…I still shudder at the memory.
My family and I would have saved so much stress had we been properly prepared on how the mobile order worked and in the different ways then how we figured it out. And I would not have gotten as irritated as I did that particular day. It would have been a bit more enjoyable had we known all these smaller, piddly details in advance. I knew OF mobile order, but not really HOW it worked.
So research! Do as much research as you would for a final college paper in which the grade says whether or not you will graduate. Because no matter how much you THINK you’ve researched, it’s still not going to be enough. I was recently once told: “The only stupid question is the one you don’t ask.” So, ask others who have gone to those places and get details. Write it down if you have to. Save yourself headaches and huge amounts of stress in the end by asking down to the smallest, ant sized detail. That ant might become a giant issue on vacation.
There you have it. The top 5 Must Do’s prior to your Trip. Do you have any other tips or suggestions? I’d love to hear them! Leave a comment below and let me know what they are or what you think of these tips.
Planning a vacation requires more than just packing your bags and turning off appliances. It’s essential to consult with your Primary Medical Provider to ensure you’re prepared for any health-related issues during your trip. Knowing your body and how it reacts to illnesses can help you take proactive steps, such as getting necessary medications in advance. Sharing your travel details with your doctor can also help them provide tailored advice. Do you think discussing your medical history and travel plans with a doctor is crucial for a stress-free vacation?
Hello,
Thank you for your comment! I apologize for not responding sooner, but life interrupted me momentarily. You are correct in stating that the doctor can help with advice. As to your question, I would absolutely say that discussing any medical history (especially if it is detailed) as well as travel plans with your doctor is crucial for a stress-free vacation. Personal experience taught me that it was a comfort to know that I had medication on hand if I needed it. Now, I do admit, I have gone on vacations in the past where I didn’t discuss it with my doctor and I honestly didn’t think about it. I was also in state so maybe that was why I didn’t worry. I also didn’t have as many issues as I seem to now. When I went on vacation for those 10+ days this last time, I had peace of mind that should anything occur, I had preventative steps to help.
I hope this helps with the question and I look forward to hearing again from you soon!
Emily
Comment:
This is a very detailed and practical guide for anyone planning a vacation, especially for those with specific medical needs. I think it’s great that the author emphasizes consulting a medical provider before traveling, as it’s something many people overlook. The personal story about pneumonia was quite insightful and shows why being prepared is so important. I also agree that knowing your own body is crucial, and having antibiotics as a precaution can be a lifesaver in emergencies. However, I wonder if the same advice applies to everyone or if it’s more tailored to individuals with recurring health issues. What do you think about the balance between relying on self-awareness and consulting professionals?
Hello Investing,
Thank you for your comment and encouraging words! In all honesty, I hadn’t really thought about consulting professionals while going on vacation in the past. I have taken many vacations in previous years that I didn’t consult a doctor at all before I went. However, recently I have battled more health issues these last few years that have ended up in hospital stays, so I suppose I was afraid of that happening on vacation. The more I researched this particular trip, the more I became aware that things can happen, as I read other persons experiences. While my advice was at first geared towards those with recurring health issues, I believe it is something that the average person could benefit from as well.
For instance, contacting the pharmacy… If the average person needed one regular medication, say an antidepressant, and they were going to run out before they came back from vacation, talking to their pharmacist would give them ideas on how to refill the medication. The other tips can be geared toward the general population as well, not just those with health issues.
You have an excellent question, and I am not sure that there is a solid, one fits all answer. I personally believe that it would depend on the nature of the vacation and how well tuned in a person is with their body. For instance, it’s standard (or maybe, rather, a recommended) procedure that a person goes to the doctor if they are heading overseas. If you are to travel within a certain area, it’s possible just being more self-aware is sufficient. Again, I think it depends on the individual. For instance, out of the 9 of us that went, I was the only one who consulted my doctor before leaving. Largely in part, because I know how my body can go and I’d also been in the hospital a month prior. So maybe it’s a mix. Sort of like a cause and effect: Because I know how my body can go down so fast (which is self-awareness) I therefore consulted my doctor. I hope that makes sense.
Again, thank you for your comment and thoughtful question. I hope to hear from you again!
Emily
Interesting read! I never thought about consulting a doctor before a trip, but it makes sense, especially if you have specific health concerns. It’s good to be prepared for emergencies, even if it’s just having antibiotics on hand. Your personal experience with pneumonia is eye-opening—it’s amazing how well you know your body and its warning signs. I wonder, though, how often do people actually follow this advice? It seems like something many might overlook in the excitement of planning a trip. Do you think doctors are generally open to prescribing antibiotics for travel, or is it a case-by-case basis? Also, what other “MUST do’s” would you recommend for someone who’s about to travel? I’d love to hear more!
Hello Отзывы,
Thank you for your kind words! It is my hope that people will take to heart the advice and at least think on it. When I started the blog, it was largely in part because I had problems finding any tips for those with health issues. As to your first question, I don’t think doctors are generally open to prescribing antibiotics. This, I believe would be a case-by-case issue. For instance, with the 9 of us that went, I was the only one to go see my doctor. If we had all gone to see our doctors, my GUESS would be that only myself and possibly my son would have gotten an antibiotic. This would be because we are the most susceptible. My son would be very iffy as he only gets the occasional sinus infection, so I doubt the doctor would have okayed it.
I’m grateful for your second question, and I have to apologize as I need to think about some more Must Do’s. I can think of a few off the top of my head, but I will definitely put up a page on Must Do’s for traveling so stay tuned! I will get that up here within this next week. Are you traveling soon?
Thank you again for your positive comments and wonderful questions! I look forward to hearing from you again 🙂
Emily
So, you’re saying it’s crucial to prepare for a trip beyond just packing and unplugging appliances. I agree that visiting a doctor before traveling is smart, especially if you have specific health concerns. It’s interesting how you mentioned knowing your body so well—it’s something not everyone can relate to, but it’s definitely a valuable skill. I’m curious, though, do you think everyone should carry antibiotics when traveling, or is it more of a personal choice based on medical history? Also, how do you balance being prepared without overthinking or stressing about potential health issues? Your story about pneumonia as a kid was eye-opening—do you think that experience shaped how you approach health and travel now? I’d love to hear more about how you manage these concerns without letting them overshadow the joy of traveling. What’s your take on finding that balance?
Hello Politics,
Thank you for your comment! As to your first question of if everyone should carry antibiotics or not…I would definitely state that it should be a personal choice based on medical history. For instance, there were 9 of us that went on our vacation, and I was the one who has had the most need for antibiotic. I’m not saying that the rest of the group couldn’t have gotten sick, but the probability was, out of the group of 9, I’d be the one getting sick. Now, that isn’t to say that my other family wasn’t prepared in their own way. My cousin made sure she packed vitamins and other supplements that her family uses. My mom also made sure she packed what medication she needed, but I would say that it is absolutely based on medical history.
Your second question is thought provoking and flows into the other questions that follow. It’s a very good question and it wouldn’t hurt to have a full article on that one! In fact, I think I’ll make my next post about that. To answer your question today though, I will state that I was stressed about a lot of things concerning my trip. Not just my health, but different things. I found that once I went to my doctor and got the okay for an antibiotic and he knew what my plans were should I need to call him, my stress about my health decreased. I think what helped me manage the stress over everything was researching what I wanted to do while on vacation. And the food, hehe. I was always looking at videos and reading blogs on WDW that I would become excited. My own kids would laugh and tell me to stop sending them videos about the different foods at midnight.
I hope this answers your question and I will absolutely go into depth in my blog about how I found the balance. That is an excellent topic you brought up and I thank you again! I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Emily
This is such a practical and thoughtful guide for anyone planning a trip! I never really considered consulting my doctor before traveling, but it makes so much sense, especially for those with specific health concerns. Your personal story about pneumonia really highlights how important it is to be prepared for emergencies. I’m curious, though—do you have any tips for managing health issues while traveling to remote areas where medical help might not be easily accessible? Also, how do you balance being prepared without overpacking or overthinking every possible scenario? I think your advice could really help people feel more confident about their travels, but I wonder if there’s a point where too much preparation could take away from the spontaneity of the trip. What’s your take on that?
That’s a really interesting perspective on preparing for a trip! I never thought about consulting a doctor before traveling, but it makes so much sense, especially if you have specific health concerns. Your personal story about pneumonia is eye-opening—it’s crazy how quickly things can escalate. I wonder, though, how often do doctors actually agree to prescribe antibiotics just as a precaution? It seems like they’re usually pretty hesitant. Also, do you have any other tips for managing health while traveling, especially in places where medical care might not be as accessible? I’d love to hear more about your experiences and how you handle unexpected health issues on the road. What’s the most challenging situation you’ve faced while traveling, and how did you deal with it?
Hello Парсер цен,
Thank you for your comment! As for your question on doctors prescribing antibiotics, I believe that most are, like you said, hesitant. That is why it is important for one to visit with their primary doctor, or the one that knows a detail of the health concerns of the individual. I am not really advocating for the “average” person to do that as much as one with health concerns. Also depends on what kind of health concerns. For instance, if a person has a heart condition, I certainly recommend them visiting with their doctor, but not necessarily for being prescribed an antibiotic prior to their trip.
As for the next question, I will be addressing that in a full article so then it breaks it down more in depth. And the last, I certainly have had a challenging situation.
We were heading for vacation to see family out of state. All had been going good until one morning, we ate breakfast on the road so we could make our next stop. Well, all was fine until we just reached the boarder. I could feel my stomach not feeling too well and by the time the next rest area hit, I was almost flying to a stop. It was bad. I ended up so sick, my mom took over driving. Thankfully, we were almost to where my family lived and we checked into our hotel. I was so sick my aunt took me to the ER there and I got a full body check over. They couldn’t find anything wrong (and in my opinion they didn’t check very good on a full panel). I slept on their couch while my aunt took my mom and kids sightseeing around the town.
By the time we were leaving, I still was not feeling good and my mom drove home. I can honestly say, I am not certain that we stayed in a hotel or not during the trip home, or if we just drove all the way home. Fast forward to when we finally got home… within a day or two of arriving home, I scheduled an appointment to see my primary doctor. He ordered a bunch of tests and come to find out, I had a severe stomach/intestinal virus and needed treatment. The same treatment that I probably could have gotten while still at my family’s town. And they also lived in a bigger area. After a while I was much better, but that was definitely our most memorable experience for me health wise while on vacation. I don’t remember much about the trip other than getting extremely sick.
This is such a helpful reminder about the importance of preparing for a trip beyond the usual checklist! I never really thought about consulting my doctor before traveling, but it makes so much sense, especially for those with specific health concerns. Your personal story about pneumonia is eye-opening—it’s crazy how quickly things can escalate. I wonder, though, how do you manage to stay proactive about your health while traveling? Do you have any tips for someone who might not be as in tune with their body? Also, do you think it’s worth getting travel insurance for medical emergencies? I’d love to hear more about your experiences and any other advice you might have!
Hello Economy!
I hope you are well. Thank you for your comment! I will try to answer your questions as best as I can. For the first one, I actually just posted a blog post a little bit about that. It’s within the third question. But here’s the short answer (some of which I didn’t add): make sure you stay hydrated. Take your vitamins and regular medication; Make sure to rest on vacation. Don’t rush from activity to activity without proper rest. Rest in between things or just take things slow. Go at your individual pace, not a pace of others. Also make sure to eat proper meals so you are getting the proper nutrients.
Travel insurance is an absolute must! I highly recommend it. Even if you end up not needing it (which is the preferred way), it is worth investing in, just in case you DO need it. For instance, if you didn’t invest in any travel protection or travel insurance and you were to get sick and reschedule, you would be out that money.
For those who aren’t as in tune with their body, I would recommend perhaps writing down any potential triggers you might have. For instance, if you know that your body is feeling run down, it might be a good time to start slowing down and pausing to reflect on what your body might be trying to tell you. Talk to family or friends that know you well and see if they have noticed any triggers on you. There again, you might be surprised. I retell my story of a moment in Magic Kingdom when I was getting really cranky. Those that live with me don’t hesitate in the least to tell me to go rest when I get cranky. They know when I get tired, I tend to get cranky and vice versa. Everyone was telling me to go rest because they knew what I refused to admit. And what they knew was that I needed to go rest. So ask your family or friends what they think might be a trigger for your body.
I hope this helps and I look forward to hearing from you again!
Emily
This is such a practical and thoughtful guide for anyone planning a vacation! I never really considered consulting my doctor before a trip, but it makes so much sense, especially for those with specific health concerns. Your personal story about pneumonia is eye-opening—it’s amazing how well you know your body and its warning signs. I wonder, though, how do you balance being prepared without overpacking or overthinking? Also, do you have any tips for managing stress or anxiety that might come up while traveling? Your experience is so valuable, and I’d love to hear more about how you handle unexpected health issues on the go. What’s one thing you wish you’d known before your first big trip?
Hello Personal Finance,
Thank you for the comment! I appreciate the feedback. As for your question on overpacking and overthinking, I honestly say I didn’t overstress on any of it. I made a simple list of things I would need and crossed it off as I added. I knew I didn’t want to check any more than one bag as it gets expensive, so I kept it to a minimum of things I needed. Certain things could fit easily enough in my carry-on or personal bag. Those boxes of hydration packets and my emergen-C powder vitamins? I stashed into my carry on and personal bag. A simple list of the potential needed items. The basics really.
My personal tip for managing stress and/or anxiety would be to definitely plan for those rest times. You need a break to unwind and just relax. I found that when I reached my peak stress and anxiety levels was the times that I did not take a break, or the times that I should have taken a break long before I did. Once I did take that small break, I was much more relaxed and even happier. My family can 100% vouch for that one. In fact, there was one day, I was getting so cranky and it was largely due to my stress level that day. The family pretty much ganged up and said “you need to go rest.” So, I ate a quick lunch and begrudgingly went to go take my afternoon nap. I slept for a few hours and when I came back, I was 10x better. I just needed a break.
The one think I wish I would’ve known prior to my trip was how important the rest periods were and also that it is not worth it to rush around to everything. Rushing added stress because we had to be at “this spot at x time” and then we literally had to rush to the next spot. There was no time for meandering or taking the time to stop and enjoy all there was. So: take time to rest and take time to smell the roses (as the saying goes). Don’t let others tell you that you need to rush.
I hope this helps! I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Emily
This is such a practical and thoughtful guide for anyone planning a vacation! I completely agree that visiting your doctor before traveling is a must, especially if you have specific health concerns. It’s interesting how you mentioned knowing your body so well—it’s something I’ve also noticed about myself, but I never thought to bring it up with my doctor before a trip. Do you think most people underestimate the importance of preparing medically for travel? I’m curious, though, how do you handle situations where your doctor is hesitant to prescribe antibiotics, even when you’re confident you might need them? Also, do you have any other tips for managing health while traveling, especially in places with limited medical resources? I’d love to hear more about your experiences and how you’ve navigated these challenges!
Hello Adventure Travel,
Thank you for your comment, I appreciate the encouraging feedback! As to your first question, I have to admit, that I am not certain as to the amount of people who underestimate being medically unprepared for a trip. From personal experience, I know that I, myself, had always been a little unprepared. I went on many trips as a kid and never really thought about it. I remember one summer I went to stay with and aunt and uncle six hours from home and ended up needing to go to the doctor because I had gotten sick. In fact, it wasn’t until this last vacation that I really stopped to think about it. I guess I hadn’t been on a vacation since I started doing weekly infusions at home, so it caused me to stop and think about the “what if’s”. That and combined with my recent stays in the hospital due to pneumonia’s. I think perhaps that most people don’t really think about the health concerns while traveling as they get caught up in the excitement of going on a trip.
Your next question is a thoughtful one, and one, I admit, I’m not sure how to answer. For me, my doctor has been my doctor since I was 12 or so. He has known me for so many years, and in fact, the one to probably stick me in the hospital every time I’ve been admitted. He knows my history and how quickly it escalates. I didn’t really have an issue with getting an antibiotic from him because I had talked to him about the length of the stay, and where at I was headed, ect. He didn’t just prescribe it to me without all the details. So I think, for anyone getting ready to travel, it is important to go over all the details with your doctor. Your primary doctor who has a detailed knowledge. Now, I get that’s not always the case. I recommend keeping your medical documents, any health diagnosis in one binder. Get copies of all your medical information for the last year or two, including any medical allergies, medical diagnoses and treatments. Keep it in a binder and take with you to the appointment. If possible, talk to any specialist you may have. For me, I had a pulmonologist who stated I should have an antibiotic on hand at all times in case of emergency such as it being a holiday or a weekend, ect because when I need it, the pharmacy might not always be available.
The last question is an excellent one as well. As a person who lives in what is considered a “band-aid” town, meaning that our hospital/clinic is good for just that. Slap a band-aid on and send the person out. Which is why I am fortunate enough to have the doctor that I have. I have ended up so bad, I have gone into the ER once or twice and the “doctor” I had who was on call, did not listen to me at all. I had told him extensively my history, and his response after some blood work was “I know you have an infection but I don’t know where it’s starting…” THAT was not reassuring. Neither did he even bother to look at my nose, ears, or even listen to my lungs. My nurse did, and she was concerned. He was not. He did give me an antibiotic and sent me home, to which the next morning, I called my primary. (He had been out of town, or I would have demanded they call him). So if you are traveling to a place with limited medical resources, I highly recommend getting a detailed background on your health. Take that binder. Perhaps read up on the medical resources at your place of destination. Talk to your primary doctor and explain the location as well as the medical resources within the community. Make sure you have your doctor’s number handy in case you need it. It also wouldn’t hurt to see if your doctor would write up a summary of what helps you and what does not. Such as a “(Your name) does not respond to x drug. I have found that works the best for this person is the following treatment….If you have questions, please contact me….” type of letter.
I hope this helps, and I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Emily