I have had GCA and Polymyalgia for almost two months. My question is can you fly with it? I am hoping to go to Canada next spring.

[Freeman12]

[mickt]

I not sure exactly ,but if your on infusions of cyclophosphamide they advise against it.Reduced immunity means your more likely to catch infection, and on a plane no where to go I suppose .Check with your specialist ...rheumatologist.

[guinivere]

Ive just done a 2 week cruise with it I also have Leukemia and Lymphoma and had no problems with insurance,medication etc Go for it

[Loco99]

It's wise to check with your specialist before going because each case is different but we'd all be an even more miserable bunch if we couldn't go on holiday. I have PMR so I can't advise on GCA. Hopefully you will be feeling much better by the time spring comes around.

I'm on holiday in England at the moment and come here every year. I have found that the actual flight makes me very tired and I get very sore muscles during and after it so I usually up my dose of steroids a bit for a few days. I can never really tell how I'm going to cope with the actual holiday so I make sure I have extra medication with me in case of flare ups. I also make quite flexible plans in case I get a bad day and need to rest.

I usually do very well when I'm on holiday because I'm more relaxed.

Having said all that I did have a massive sinus attack most probably caused by low immunity but managed to find over the counter medication for it from a supermarket!

It is wise to check with your specialist first but I'm sure the holiday will do you a world of good.

[limetree]

I was diagnosed with GCA in March and flew to Vancouver (10hrs) in May; no problems. I took twice as much medication as I would need and put one lot in the hold luggage and one lot in my carry on. I did warn my relatives that I was not the man I used to be and would take plenty of rests. Everyone was very supportive and I had a great time. You should not have any problems with insurance but it is best to advise them.

By next Spring your be on a lower dosage and feeling better.

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hello Freeman12

I'm sorry that I cannot speak from experience as I didn't fly whilst suffering from GCA, but it's great to see that you've received lots of good advice from others following their experience.

I just wish to add that together with the extra steroids carried in the separate locations of your hold luggage and carry-on luggage (or handbag if you're a lady!), it would be a good idea to have copies of your prescription. Also, you would be wise to postpone any planned reduction in dose in the couple of weeks prior to your flight and whilst on holiday.

As limetree has said, you should be feeling much better by the Spring and on a lower dose - have a wonderful holiday.

[sara4]

I have both pmr and gca and have had no problems flying, apart from getting very swollen ankles on a flight to Greece, two months after being diagnosed. At 7 months we had a holiday in Thailand, and that was fine. Being a bigger plane it was easier to walk around and do leg and foot excercises. The time change involved in going to Canada will mean adjusting your pred dose, and I think I took a little extra pred to cope with the journey, but a holiday at the end of it is well worth it.

Don't forget to tell your insurance company, they did not increase my premium because the pmr/gca was under control. I always take a stash of extra steroids in case I had to increase, and keep them in your hand luggage not packed away in a suitcase in case that gets lost. My husband and I each carried some - I was absolutely paranoid about losing them.

[estherdevers]

I have had Poly for 18 months now. Onset of back pain as you discribe. I tried the treatment once (maybe not enough) but did not find much relief. I found Fendelene Cream a great relief, only on prescription. My trip to Spain recently was quite difficult with the aches and pains. I would be wary of taking a long trip, knowing what this illness brings. May you will be luckier that I

[55grove]

I have just been to the Canary Islands and took extra medication in case, but no problems except sore hands and arms due to dragging the case along and was very tired for a day or so. Ankles were swollen from the plane but not too bad. Found on the way home to get up and walk up and down the aisle every now and again. Get an aisle seat. Loved the swimming pool to gently move about in the water, but needed help to haul me out as the arms just did not have the required strength. Have a good trip.