Coping with a diagnosis of PAD
It can take time to get used to having PAD. It is common for people to feel fearful, anxious or stressed. Some people find that the pain limits their mobility and changes the sort of activities that they are able to do. This can be depressing. In addition, the lifestyle changes needed to improve the symptoms can be hard to cope with at the start.
If you are noticing that you are feeling anxious or down, it is important and always helpful to speak to someone about this. Unless you tell them, your friends and family may not realise the impact that this has had.
Your GP is another good person to turn to. They will be aware of the potential effect a diagnosis of PAD can have and will be able to support you. In addition, they may be able to direct you to other sources of help such as counselling or other types of psychological support.
Eating healthily, having a healthy weight and doing physical activity will improve your general health and often makes people feel better in themselves. Mindfulness, relaxation, meditation and yoga have all helped people struggling with PAD.
Work
Most people with PAD can continue to work. If you have a very physical or stressful job, you may need to make some changes what you do or the hours you work. It is a good idea to discuss this with both your healthcare team and your employer.
Driving
Most people with PAD can continue driving. The rules on driving depend on what sort of driving licence you have. The rules do change from time to time, so it is worth checking with the DVLA.
It is also important to tell your motor insurance company about your diagnosis otherwise your insurance may not be valid.
Holidays
Holidays are an excellent way to unwind and reduce stress levels. Having PAD should not be a barrier to enjoying a holiday. However, it is sensible to put some thought into planning your trip. Some things to think about are:
Where are you planning to go? Depending on your symptoms, you may need to be careful about places with lots of hills or places at high altitude. There is less oxygen at high altitude which may make symptoms worse. You may also want to ensure that your accommodation is close to shops and facilities.
How are you planning to get there? If you are planning to fly; are you safe to do so? If you have only recently been diagnosed or are having quite a lot of symptoms, you should discuss this with your healthcare team before you book a flight. Generally, you should be fine to fly. If you are going to be in the air for a long time, it is important to make sure that you move around during the flight and keep yourself well hydrated to reduce the risk of blood clots forming.
What are you planning to do? If your holidays usually involve a lot of activity, you may need to have a think about how much of that activity you will be able to do.
What about medication? It is always worth taking more medication than you are going to need in case any goes missing. It is also very useful to also carry a list of everything that you currently take.
