[BipolaRNurse]

My husband and I are finally about to realize our long-dreamed-of cruise to the tropics this December. We're on the West Coast and our destinations in the Caribbean are 3-4 hours different from our time. My question to you all is, do you have any travel tips particularly in the area of how to cope with changing time zones? I've read that people can become manic OR depressed and I just do not want that to happen on this once-in-a-lifetime vacation.

I've talked to my pdoc about it and he thinks it'll be fine as long as I stay consistent with my med schedule. I'm normally very good with this, but the time changes will throw me off and the time for getting to the airport will be ridiculous (we fly out at 0630 on Dec. 5th). What all have you done to cope with crazy hours and new experiences? I can hardly wait, and am so excited I can barely stand myself, but I'm also concerned with my health. I've been stable for months now and would hate to mess that up.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

[~Christina]

Woot Woot !!! I am so happy your taking this trip . Much deserved Much deserved

I would start bumping my med time 6-8 weeks prior to your trip, Move them an hour at a time , hold for a week then move again until your taking your meds based off the time change.

Also keep in mind your normal routine is gong to be jacked up. (I deal with this twice a year when I go visit the kids.. it tosses me a bit sideways.) Make sure your devoting enough time to sleep. Your likely to get a good dose of Hypo just taking a dream trip... So just remember to do all the self care you can. Try not to stay awake doing 1001 things each day.

Most of all have fun.. Just enjoy

[BastetsMuse]

I'm voting with Christina. Also, if you worry about mania, see if your pdoc can prescribe an "emergency" med to take you down if you need it... this could be as simply as taking 50 mgs of Benadryl to make sure you sleep! Over the past 22 years of bipolar I, I've always had a "take-down" med available to me in case of mania and have found that this has been the best treatment regime overall.

[Sinking Feeling]

Meds very important, make sure u will have enough.

[Homeira]

Check out if you need paperwork for your meds. I cross through several countries when I travel, and they might have different rules. I don't know how much this applies to a cruise, but make sure never the less. Sometimes you come across some powerfreak who decides to make your life difficult over a formality, so be prepared. Also make sure that you can get your meds in the ports you guys will be arriving in. Just in case.
I travel with a note from my doctor about why I need the meds.
You might also want to let the medics on the ship know about your illness and your meds etc.

You have gotten some good advice about adjusting the meds to local times, so I'll not go into that.

You might get hypo. I always do when I travel. Try to pace yourself. Don't plan too much in a day.
Happy for you and your husband! What a treat!

[TRNRMOM]

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

My husband and I are finally about to realize our long-dreamed-of cruise to the tropics this December. We're on the West Coast and our destinations in the Caribbean are 3-4 hours different from our time. My question to you all is, do you have any travel tips particularly in the area of how to cope with changing time zones? I've read that people can become manic OR depressed and I just do not want that to happen on this once-in-a-lifetime vacation.

I've talked to my pdoc about it and he thinks it'll be fine as long as I stay consistent with my med schedule. I'm normally very good with this, but the time changes will throw me off and the time for getting to the airport will be ridiculous (we fly out at 0630 on Dec. 5th). What all have you done to cope with crazy hours and new experiences? I can hardly wait, and am so excited I can barely stand myself, but I'm also concerned with my health. I've been stable for months now and would hate to mess that up.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

any time zone travel does me in. last sept. we went to so. africa and there were many time zones and time changes that i saw my psych nurse to make sure i was slept completely..which combined ambien w/seroquel. the sleep part of travel worked but for me the adjustment to a new time in a new city/country was difficult the 1st few days. i was never able to `work up' to a specific time zone while still in my home cit by going to bed at a different time, etc. in preparation for the actual travel. i just required more time to sleep and adjust to the new city/country. returning home we went thru 9 time zones and traveled for about 32 hrs. speaking for me, it took more than 2 weeks to finally adjust to my time clock. the travel to so. africa was worth the destabilization but it was rough. even a 2 hr. time difference for me makes me more manic w/more insomnia so i'm taking extra meds during that time for a day or so til i adjust. good luck.

[Row Jimmy]

Be sure to stay consistent with the other stuff too! Eat good food so you stay balanced......cruises can be filled with all sorts of buffet-style Vegas feedbags. Find some time each day to meditate or just zone out away from the crowds. Cruises can be busy places so pace yourself. For me, I'd avoid booze so I can stay in the moment and come back the next day fresh and ready for my day on the jet-ski. The risk is I might drive it all the way to Costa Rica.

Have fun!

[Homeira]

Agree with Jimmy. a lot of unhealthy food and drinks all over the place of you don't wach out. Probably a good idea to try to eat a bit healthy, and get some long-lasting energy.
I have a problem resisting any kind of sweet put in front of me. Dessert buffets should have a sign on then reading, "WARNING: bloodsugar-bombs ahead!"

[Capriciousness]

I've been trying to figure this out too! Thanks for the thread. The trip sounds awesome.

[BipolaRNurse]

It's going to be awesome, all right I just want to make sure I get and stay in the best of health for the trip, and I know how easily it could go sideways if I become overstimulated (which is almost certain to happen). I appreciate all the tips & tricks, and please keep them coming!

[Standup2me]

Zopiclone or Sublinox, you will need help sleeping

[BipolaRNurse]

My pdoc is thinking about a PRN to knock me down if I start getting manic on the trip. I don't know what Zopiclone or Sublinox are.....they must not be made in the U.S.A. or they're under different names here.

[Curiosity77]

Zopiclone (imovane) is available in Canada only. Sublinox is the Canadian name for Ambien (generic is zolpidem).

Both are great for sleep. Sublinox is a bit shorter acting. Main side effect is metallic taste. The main caution is to take it right when you are going to bed, because they can kick in quickly, and people can sleepwalk if they aren't in bed yet. They work similarly to benzos.

You're trip sounds great!

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

What all have you done to cope with crazy hours and new experiences?

Gone way hypo. (Wasn't dx'd at the time, but there was no maybe about it! )

Ok. Serious now. Regarding meds, I always bring more than I "should" need, in case of any unexpected extension -- like a cancelled flight, for instance. (It once took me over 2 days to get home from the east coast-- missed flight due to massive traffic tie up -- 4 lanes, no movement for like 2 hours (there'd been a big accident), re-schedule, re-route, unexpected over night ... You get the picture.) doesn't have to be huge amounts, just a nice buffer.

Also, and this may be obvious, but don't pack your meds in checked baggage(!) When one has a lot of meds, it may be tempting, space-wise, but don't do it.

You know how everything's bagged up and stuff for going through security these days...personally, I like to keep mine pretty easy to access. Sometimes one ends up compelled to check luggage they weren't expecting to, so it's good to have them where you can retrieve them, so you can put them in your purse or whatever.

Check on the site with all the air travel rules for specifics, but it's usually wise to have them in original prescrition bottles. Also, if any are liquid, you'll want to know any special rules.

(I'm a really light packer -- as in 1 carry-on for 2 people for 3 week overseas trip light-- but meds? Yeah, extra.)

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

What all have you done to cope with crazy hours and new experiences?

Gone way hypo. (Wasn't dx'd at the time, but there was no maybe about it! )

Ok. Serious now. Regarding meds, I always bring more than I "should" need, in case of any unexpected extension -- like a cancelled flight, for instance. (It once took me over 2 days to get home from the east coast-- missed flight due to massive traffic tie up -- 4 lanes, no movement for like 2 hours (there'd been a big accident), re-schedule, re-route, unexpected over night ... You get the picture.) doesn't have to be huge amounts, just a nice buffer.

Also, and this may be obvious, but don't pack your meds in checked baggage(!) When one has a lot of meds, it may be tempting, space-wise, but don't do it.

You know how everything's bagged up and stuff for going through security these days...personally, I like to keep mine pretty easy to access. Sometimes one ends up compelled to check luggage they weren't expecting to, so it's good to have them where you can retrieve them, so you can put them in your purse or whatever.

Check on the site with all the air travel rules for specifics, but it's usually wise to have them in original prescrition bottles. Also, if any are liquid, you'll want to know any special rules.

(I'm a really light packer -- as in 2 people, 3 week overseas, 1 carry-on light-- but meds? Yeah, extra.)

[BipolaRNurse]

Bumping this for more good tips & tricks.....I haven't traveled since well before 9/11, not to mention my bipolar diagnosis. Thanks!