Hi everyone. I took two flights yesterday, the first of which was rather long (10 hours). It wasn't pleasant but I am okay. I wore my compression glove and heat packs (wrist and shoulder). Of course, I took meds too.

I had arranged for assistance when I changed planes. Since I entered the US on the first flight, I had to collect my bag and go through customs. I definitely needed help with that. It seems the only type of assistance the airline understands is wheelchair assistance, so that is what I had.

I know this is wrong, awful really, but I felt embarrassed being in the wheelchair. I would never even think of judging anyone in a wheelchair or think badly of them in any way. I think what bothered me is that I know my legs are fine. So far, the CRPS is just in my arm. But I am in pain and I could never have handled the bag by myself. Having the assistance also meant I didn't have to wait in the very long customs line. That would really have taken it out of me, I have to say. The guy helping me wasn't very nice though. The first thing he said was to ask my name. I told him. The very next thing out of his mouth was "I have been waiting for you for an hour and a half." Now, my plane was not late, certainly not an hour and a half late. Just so rude. I guess he was trying to increase his tip.

I am just relaxing today and will be doing the same tomorrow. I hope everyone else is having a low pain day today.

Well done Kim!

Really glad you arrived safely, and I know exactly what you mean about the wheelchair embarrassment but I'm glad you did it. It's the best way to do things when you have any physical issues (whether legs or not), and at least you guaranteed you would feel as good as possible after your journey.... Shame the guy 'helping' was being a bit of a jerk, but I suppose he might have just been having a bad day!

Bram.

Hi Kim,
Welcome Back! I'm glad you're doing okay after your trip. Hope you have a great day!

Awesome!

When I first got my RSD it was just my upper right torso and right arm and hand but I was practically a zombie for about a year, the pain was so bad I couldn't even talk, my breathing was so shallow that most days my husband came home he was scared when he saw me. I would be in bed and breathing so slowly to try to control the pain that I was motionless and he would see me and think I had died while he was at work. Just because your arm is the focus of you disability or diagnosis, does not mean that the rest of your body and abilities are 100%.

When I lived in AZ, my doctor wanted me to have handicap parking access. My doctor and Arizona's view on handicapped parking access is, if you have a disability and parking closer to allow easier access, so that you can function at your best qualifies you. It's about quality of life. You have to go to the grocery store... If you had to walk a long distance in a parking lot, might you decide that it was too much trouble to go to the grocery store, and possibly not go? If that is the case, you should have access to closer parking. You don't have to be visibly disabled to justify to others that you would benefit from that service. A great deal of pain can render you unable to do a lot of things and affect your ability to function and think. Try not to demonize your self for asking for the wheel chair and getting luggage help. Your using that service may have made a huge difference in how you felt when you arrived and how you will feel in the coming days.

Now, have an awesome time at your sister's wedding!!!

Thanks ladies! Bram and Syl, I know you are right. I am certain the wheelchair assistance made a big difference to the condition I was in when I arrived. And because I'm doing okay (not fabulous but manageable), I am able to participate in the final arrangements for the wedding.

It is such a big help to me to have you guys here telling me it is okay to have assistance. It is odd because I swear I have never been one to judge anyone else. I know if I saw me getting wheelchair assistance in the airport, I wouldn't think anything of it; I would just assume the person had a disability that wasn't clearly visible. Why is it so much harder when you are the person in the chair?

And Syl, you're right, the rest of me isn't 100%. And walking does hurt my arm. I guess it is the movement? I know standing in that massive customs line would have kicked my butt.

I can't tell you how much it helps to have you guys tell me I'm not being silly. I was raised to tough it out. When I was a kid, if I was sick or in pain, I was expected to not let it show. And if I did, then, well, I was in pain AND in trouble. So, I am struggling with it being okay to make any concessions to this stupid disease. Of course, I have no choice. I simply cannot carry on as if nothing is wrong because that just isn't physically possible.

I know I'm lucky though. I know the CRPS could be much worse than it is. I don't know if it will get worse, but I am so glad to be able to be here helping my sister sort things out for the wedding and to be her (aged) matron of honour.

I am glad you made it without too much pain.. my husband is in a wheelchair or uses crutches or a rollator 24/7...He just flew to chicago and back last month and people look at him like he has three heads when he is using the rollator(it is his right lower leg and foot affected by RSD and he cannot even put a sock or let anything touch it so he keeps that leg up on the rollator and scoots along with the other leg..It amazes me how much grown adults stop and stare and look him up and down (kids i can understand but grown adults come on) after looking at his foot most people make a face of pain (it is horrible and you can tell by looking at it it hurts like hell)