Air travel can be challenging, especially with an ongoing health condition. Multiple myeloma is certainly no exception. Busy airports, long security lines, and packed planes can be frustrating or even bad for your health.

Here are a few things multiple myeloma patients can do to in preparation for flying:

1. Don’t forget your address book. It is important to have all of your medical contact info with you when you travel, including your doctors’ phone numbers and insurance information. You might consider creating a smaller, condensed satellite version for when you travel.

2. Try and keep as much of your regular daily routine as possible. Write down important things as a reminder. Haven’t we all forgotten to take our meds as scheduled when we were away from home?

3. Always carry your prescription bottles with you or use one of those handy, multi-colored pill boxes with the small compartments for each day. Our medications are important and expensive, but overzealous Homeland Security guards sometimes try to confiscate them. Remind them that pills are allowed on board. Even large bottles of liquid are allowed as long as you have a doctor’s prescription. Don’t forget to bring the prescription, though.

4. Fear the clots! Sitting down without moving for extended periods of time increases your risk of developing blood clots in your legs. This risk is much higher among multiple myeloma patients undergoing treatment. Get up and stretch your legs several times during the flight. Flex and extend each foot ten times or so every fifteen minutes. It’s never a good idea to forget to take your daily warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin, especially the day before you fly.

5. Immunocompromised patients need to take extra care when flying. Most experts recommend wearing a mask while on the airplane. Carrying a small, two or three ounce bottle of hand sanitizer and using it liberally is a good idea—especially after going through security. You might also consider using it to wipe down your airplane arm rest and tray table. Whenever possible, try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If possible, ask the flight attendant for a full bottle of water or juice, instead of drinking from a plastic cup the attendant has handled.

6. If you want to rest on the plane, pack a blow-up neck pillow. Deflate it after the flight, fold it up, and keep it in your purse or carry-on.

7. Pack a few healthy snacks in the bag you plan to stow under the seat in front of you. Don’t place them in your carry-on, or you won’t be able to reach them during the flight. On a recent flight, I packed a supply of raw nuts and a low carb bar. I wish I had packed more, different types of food, since my flight was delayed and there were no restaurants open by the time I arrived at the airport. Shouldn’t some of the airport restaurants remain open until all of the flights have arrived?

8. Last but most importantly, try and avoid stress. I know, I know—air travel by definition is stressful! Arrive at the airport early so that you have plenty of time to get through security, buy a meal, and use the restroom before boarding begins. Also, book your connecting flights with at least one hour in between, in case your first flight is delayed. Few things are more stressful than nervously waiting for your plane’s door to open and pushing your way through tightly packed isles as you rush to make your connecting flight!

Most people don’t find flying much fun anymore, between tightened security and full planes that often don’t provide much more than a complimentary beverage. There isn’t anything we can do about that. But a bit of forethought and planning can help make the flight safer and more tolerable.

Feel good and keep smiling! Pat