Increasing steroids for holidays abroad

[joannebond360]

Hi

Does anyone increase steroids when going on holiday abroad. I have read about a few people doing that.

Thank you

[PMRpro]

In my experience, the people who increase their pred dose do so for one or two days to cover travelling, the long day for long haul for example, or because they have extra physical stuff to cope with and they have polymyalgia rheumatica where a bit more does help. But there is no real reason to increase the dose just because you are going abroad - and probably not a good thing to do if you are on a stable long term dose.

[joannebond360 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your reply. The sun really effects me even when not sitting directly in it and I just thought if I could up then for a few days it might help.

[PMRpro in reply to joannebond360]

In that case - if it works I have to say it's what I'd do. There isn't a problem upping a dose for a short time - some doctors say a week, others up to 2 weeks and you can still just go back to where you were.

Where are you off to? Somewhere nice I hope with lots to do out of the sun!

[joannebond360 in reply to PMRpro]

To Ibiza and then tenerife 😁 Exhausted at the thought of it 😂 Will be lovely when we get there.

Definitely will up them to cover myself 😁

Thank you

[MargaretGail]

My doc always increases my steroid dose when I travel.

[joannebond360 in reply to MargaretGail]

I had a horrible flare last year abroad, must have been the sun, does sound like a good idea.

[MargaretGail]

Before Lupus really took a hold my GPused to recommend 10mg Prednisolone a day for the length of the holiday. It worked too. Now its 30mg 😕

[joannebond360 in reply to MargaretGail]

I'm going to do the same I think. It's scary being away and flaring. Spoils the holiday. 😢 Have considered not going abroad anymore but the family love it. Just chosen a time when the heats not so intense.

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK in reply to joannebond360]

Hi joannebond360 ,

If you need any tips for going on holiday with lupus, we have a blog article with lots of advice at lupusuk.org.uk/going-on-hol...

I hope you have a lovely time!

[joannebond360 in reply to Paul_Howard]

Hi Paul.

Thank you so much for that info 😁

Thank you

Jo

[Gagy]

Yes, I always take extra to keep up with my grandchildren

[joannebond360 in reply to Gagy]

Fab, thank you Gagy, seems the way to go 😁 Xxxx

[happytulip]

Can't comment on the steroids but I'm just so glad that you are able to go away after that horrible time you had with all those infections. Have a great time!

[misty14]

Hi Joanne

Just want to say I have increased steroids to do something big like your doing even if just for 1 or 2 days to help you cope. Be careful of the sun and have a lovely time. It's great you feel you can go after tough time you've had. X

[joannebond360 in reply to misty14]

Thank u so much, the sun is a big no no for me, got a big hat and cover up 😁

Jo xx

[joannebond360]

Thank you so much! Was a real rough patch which finally has passed.

Can never really look forward to going away as I never know if I'm going to stay well or if something else happens but I'm sure that's the same for a lot of us.

Will be a wonderful break

Jo xx

[SusanStobie]

Hiya, my consultant lets me self medicate for things like this. I up my dose for a week before holiday, while I'm on holiday, and taper off the week after I get back. It works well for me, I'm on a low dose, 4mg, up to 10 the week before and while I'm away and taper 1mg a day when I get home. Depends on your regular dose, but that works for me. Hope you have a fantastic time, keep well xx

[joannebond360 in reply to SusanStobie]

Thank you so much. I'm going to do the same 😁 Xxxx