Packing Lists for Travel with Chronic Illness

Packing lists for travel with chronic illness

GOING ABROAD PACKING LIST

Toiletries:

Sun cream face

Sun cream body

Shampoo

Conditioner

Hairbrush

Hair ties

Cleanser

Moisturiser

Serum

Deodorant

Lip balm

Perfume (decanted to mini travel bottle)

Body moisturiser

Mosquito repellent

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Floss

Mouthwash

Makeup bag

Razor

Epilator

Tweezers, nail scissors & clippers

Clothing:

(Suitable for a hot country for ~18 months travel)

4 x playsuits

3 x jumpsuits

4 x vests

2 x shorts

1 x trouser

1 x long sleeved top

1 x jumper

1 x birkenstocks

1 x trainers with orthotics

6 x bikinis, 1 swimsuit

1 x bra

10 x underwear

4 x socks

Medications:

Contraceptive pill

Antihistamines

Paracetamol (or any other pain relief meds)

Sumatriptan

Travel sickness meds

Imodium

Rehydration sachets

Cold/flu pills

Ibuprofen gel

Tiger balm

Hydrocortisone cream

Nasal allergy spray

Feminine sanitary products

Asthma inhaler

After bite gel

Anthisan bite cream

Aloe vera gel & / after sun

Mini first aid kit: containing sterile needles & syringes

(I went for ‘Lifesystems’)

Plasters & bandages

Antiseptic cream

Snacks:

To last the majority of the trip

Cereal/protein bars

Bags of nuts/seeds/crisps etc

Supplements:

Multivitamin

Vitamin D

Probiotics

Beta TCP

Digestive enzymes

Serrapeptase

Toxaprevent

Collagen sachets

Misc:

Sunglasses & case

Earplugs

Silk sleeping mask

Earphones

Padlocks for suitcases/hostel lockers

Microfibre quick dry beach towels

Travel adaptor plugs

Device charging cables

Hot water bottle / ice pack (Yuyu Bottle)

Electric mini handheld fan

Allergy cards

Assistance cards

Doctors letter

Aids/supports:

Compression socks

Kinaesthetic tape

Supports for specific joints

Sleeping/head pillow

Coccyx cushion

Foldable coccyx cushion

Blow up beach pillow

Travel neck pillow

Foldable walking stick/wheelchair

Some companies that provide insurance

for people with pre-existing conditions:

Avanti

All Clear Travel (COVID cover)

Stay Sure (COVID cover)

Boots UK

Good to Go

Insure and Go

Admiral

Free Spirit

Insurance With

Direct Travel

Just Travel Cover

Freedom

Worldwide Insure

Bupa Global

Before you leave checklist:

- All items packed (based on above lists)

- Research the weather & climate

- Vaccinations at least 4 weeks in advance (if necessary)

- Ensure all medical appointments have been attended

- Signed off by medical practitioner to travel

- Comprehensive travel insurance for pre-existing conditions

Suitcase:

I have the 80L Osprey Sojourn wheelie rucksack. It’s a travelling backpack but you can zip away the straps - and I’ve never actually used them but they’re there in case of a situation they’re needed. It’s got a hard back for the wheels but is squashable a bit like a duffle bag. I can fit all my clothes in packing cubes (plus my boyfriend's clothes in his packing cubes) and then my sleeping pillow squeezes perfectly on top!

Now I can’t/shouldn’t physically lift it and I’m so fortunate that my partner does this whenever it comes to it (or I kindly ask someone nearby to lift it). When my shoulders aren’t playing up and the surface is smooth I can wheel it behind me

We have two of these bags as the other bag is filled with all my toiletries, pills and supplements!