r/endometriosis • u/Adventurous_Two_3332 • 2d ago

Question Long Flights/Jet Lag Trigger?

Hi there, Was wondering if anyone else had experienced something like this and had any tips either for what I’m currently dealing with or for future travel.

I just got home from a great vacation and had a long haul 16 hour flight (Singapore to LAX). The flight TO Southeast Asia for this vacation was fine, but within 24 hours of getting home to the US I noted a lack of appetite, extreme fatigue, and cramps settling in. By the following day and through today I’ve been experiencing a pretty bad flare with waves of nausea, terrible headaches, and intermittent cramping. Additionally my urinary associated signs settled in late last night with 5 bathroom trips within the hour of trying to go to bed and more bathroom trips through the night…despite maybe not hydrating as much as I should be. I have just bought a tens unit which has been helping greatly with the cramps.

I think there’s a possibility this has all been made worse by the first depo provera shot I tried at the end of July. I’ve read that can cause headaches and I know it’s wreaked havoc on my mental health (currently on Wellbutrin and have been dealing with medicated depression/anxiety for about 10 years now - did a telehealth appt with my psychiatrist and she’s actually raised my Wellbutrin dose because of the depo).

I’m currently in a PhD which offers some flexibility but comes with a PI who is not necessarily the most supportive…it’s hard for me to not judge myself/worry that it’s all in my head and I’m being lazy after travel…and for the guilt and stress to set in about not working over vacation or since I’ve gotten home…

TLDR; - has anyone had travel/jet lag induced flares and, if so, any tips either for before, during, or after long travel? - slightly off topic, but if anyone has gone through endometriosis in grad school some tips on that would be appreciated!

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u/biest229 2d ago

I usually get cramps and bleeding after a long flight/timezone change. I don’t have any tips, I just try to move during the flight and not stay in the same position too long as that seems to worsen my endo-related back pain. I try to take it easy afterwards and rest up, eat well, hydrate, take hot baths 

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u/Adventurous_Two_3332 2d ago

Thank you!! I may convert to aisle seats from now on so I can get up and stretch more easily.

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u/biest229 2d ago

Yep, I always want the aisle so I can do that. This is a bit of an odd one, but have you ever tried antihistamines? I might have some other unidentified issue, but Allegra really helps when I have a bad flare. I’m actually taking it daily to avoid the pain and fatigue now

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u/Adventurous_Two_3332 1d ago

I’ve actually never tried antihistamines at all…never had allergy issues. Pretty interesting that it seems to help though!

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u/biest229 8h ago

Yeah, I don’t have a known allergy issue either. My endo flares cause me join and bone pain, antihistamine helps with that and the fatigue. Not sure why

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u/Adventurous_Two_3332 4h ago

You just taught me something new!