When one thinks of Vegas they think of constant bright, flashing lights, noises from gaming machines, high energy shows, enormous buffets and tons of walking. Obviously those images are not the ones that people with fibromyalgia are typically drawn to. In fact, we usually would try to avoid them! Still, curiosity (or a wedding or convention) may draw you there and this post is all about helping you enjoy your time there with the least symptoms as possible. I recently spent four days there and am proof that it can still be enjoyable.

One of my biggest tips is to find the elevators. The big hotel-casinos like to make sure you’re walking through their casinos and near all their shopping. This results in even more walking than necessary, but The Helpful Hubby and I found that many times taking the nearby elevators were a much more direct route than taking escalators. Due to this it takes less time, which means less standing. Of course, you also don’t have to worry about getting out of the way of people trying to speed walk past you.

Comfortable shoes are a must and consider bringing a cane if they’ve ever been helpful to you in the past. One nice aspect is that since the casinos want you to stick around there are lots of benches/seats to rest. Another easy trick is to use the ice from an ice machine (with the ice bucket bag or a zip lock) to ice any aching body parts. If you still need to cut down on walking, the Deuce on the Strip is a cheap alternative for transportation up and down The Strip. Information about it isn’t that easy to find, but you can pay the driver exact change/cash ($5) for a 2 hour time frame of riding.

Earplugs are an especially helpful tool to have in your arsenal. They will come in handy on the casino floor and at any of the shows you attend. Sensitivities to smells are a toughie in Vegas, but I found that the newer casino floors didn’t smell of smoke nearly as much (none smelled as badly as the casinos I’d previously been to in other parts of the country). If you have food allergies/sensitivities don’t be scared to eat at buffets. We ate at the buffets at The Cosmopolitan and The Bellagio and when I asked about allergen information a chef came out to talk to me. I was especially impressed with the help from the chef at The Bellagio. Remember to stay hydrated to prevent further issues. The are multiple Denny’s restaurants near the strip that sell bottled water for $1, which is a steal compared to the $4/5 you see elsewhere!

What tips and tools have helped you enjoy Vegas?

You may also be interested in:
Fibro Feelings – Going to the Casino
Fibro Feelings – Vegas Trip
Tips & Tools for Traveling

The bright lights of The Vegas Strip*

*Image Credit: from www.flickr.com by colros