worktravel / long haul flights health

Hi
This is my 1st post. diagnosed in July i am trying to get back to work. I have had occupation health report. There are a few unknows i wonder does any have advise.

  1. I have long commute to work i have asked for flexibility with office times for off periods. my line manager is concerned about how i will cope.
  2. My job includes long haul travel how does this affect the medication and jet lag ? how do other cope.

I do not want to give up my job yet

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Hi @Lynn25, welcome to the Forum, we hope you’ll enjoy it here.

We’re really sorry to hear about your diagnosis. We know this can be a worrying time and want you to know we are here to support you.

We have information about work and Parkinson’s on our website which may be useful to you. It outlines reasonable adjustments and your protections and you can find it here: Work and Parkinson's | Parkinson's UK

We also have a free, confidential helpline you can call if you need to speak to someone. Call 0808 800 0303 and our specialists will be able to offer you advice and signpost you to the best support available to you.

We hope this helps. Please don’t give up. Reach out if we can help at all.

Parkinson’s UK Moderation Team :blue_heart:

Hello Lynn … I am 71, single & diagnosed in June 2023 but I have had Parkinson’s for some years before that. I used to live 6 months of the year in Florida. So taxi to UK airport, pre arranged disabled wheelchair from check in through customs and security. Then wheelchair to the aircraft.

The trouble came for me when I had to go to car rental. In theory close by but in reality not. I had suitcase & golf clubs to transport, I hadn’t thought it would be a problem but it was. So much so that I no longer go to Florida.

My problem is mobility and gait freezing.

I did not find jetlag too big a deal, once I got where I was going I went to bed till I had recovered.

In your case a lot depends on the Parkinson’s issues you have, your age and how fit you are and whether you are travelling alone.

I simply could not manage.

Best wishes
Steve2

Hello Lynn25
I have not had to deal with such issues so I am not really in a position to comment However this may give you a way in to consider what you need to think about at least. It is an AI search result but it sounded like sound advice to me.

https://www.google.com/search?q=medication%2C+long+haul+flights%2C+jt+lag+and+parkinson's&rlz=1CAPCKE_enGB1126&oq=medication%2C+long+haul+flights%2C+jt+lag+and+parkinson's&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQIRgKGKABMgkIAhAhGAoYoAEyCQgDECEYChigAdIBCTMxMzM5ajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

The only other thing I would say is make the journey as easy and simple as you can. You may wish it otherwise but use passengere assist on trains, make sure you take up assistance offered by airlines, if you can try to arrange your schedule around your best times, make sure you look after yourself and most important continue to enjoy your work - you are not a different person because of your diagnosis but you are newly dianosed bringing with it a steep learning curve as you begin to adjust. You have done exactly the right thing by asking as you have.
I hope this gives you something to help you at least know where to start.
Good luck
Tot

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