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!
FLIGHT PACKING LIST
Neck pillow
Bum pillow
Tiger balms
Ibuprofen gel
Paracetamols
Sumatriptan (migraine specific pills)
Antihistamines
All other medicines you usually take
Moisturiser & lip balm
Travel toothbrush and toothpaste
Eye mask for sleeping
Silicone earplugs for sleeping
Lots of layers in case it gets super cold from the AC
Hot water bottle (ask the cabin crew and they’ll fill this for you - if you’re cold or achey)
Flight compression socks
A water bottle you can refill
Snacks
Some earphones that you like with a jack to go into the entertainment TV (often the ones they provide me give me a headache!)
Download a long playlist of calming sleep music
Wheelchair assistance in each country
