Travelling with Inflammatory Arthritis
Travelling with inflammatory arthritis needn’t be a struggle. It’s best to plan and prepare, so here are some things to consider:
It’s best to make sure that you have extra, just in case you get delayed. Talk to your doctor ahead of time so that extra medications can be ordered. If crossing time zones, also try to make sure you take your medications at the right time, you can talk to your doctor about how best to manage this.
Always check if you need any special paperwork to travel with your medicine, this will help to avoid problems at customs. Some medications for inflammatory arthritis will require a travel certificate to enable you to take your medicines with you. It's usually best to pack your medicines in your hand luggage so that they don’t go missing.
Some medications need to be kept cool at all times. Check with your travel company and accommodation ahead of time to make sure that they can accommodate your needs.
Travel insurance can be a vital support if you ever need it. Make sure that you tell the insurance company about all of your health conditions.
If you are flying and use a wheelchair or have mobility issues, book ‘special assistance’. Airlines, airports, cruise ships and ferries in the EU are legally obliged to provide free help and assistance.
It’s always best to speak to your doctor well in advance to make sure that any travel vaccinations you may need don’t interfere with your medication.
Top Tips
Normally, travelling involves sitting down for long periods of time. Try to change position as often as possible. For example, swap from sitting to standing, and move your joints around when practical.
If you have mobility problems, try to book a ground floor room or one near a lift. If you need mobility aids, make sure that you book them in advance and check that the room is large enough for you to use the aids you need.
The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical care. If you have any concerns about your health or medicine, you should consult your healthcare specialist or general practitioner.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the patient information leaflet. You can also report side effects directly in the UK via the Yellow Card Scheme website: https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/ or via the the MHRA Yellow Card App in the Google Play or Apple App Store. In Ireland please report via the HPRA at https://www.hpra.ie/homepage/about-us/report-an-issue.
You can also report adverse events to UCB at UCBCares.UK@ucb.com or UCBCares.IE@ucb.com.
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