holidays

[Lionking50]

My wife and i are planning a visit to New York march 2015, it is a 7.5 hour flight.

Should i have any concerns about the flight due to having Pmr. any advise wellcome

LIon King.

[Annodomini]

I've flown several times since being diagnosed 3 years ago and never felt any different, granted these flights were much shorter than the one you are proposing to take. Be sure to tell your travel insurer that you have PMR, Mine took it in their stride, not seeming unduly concerned.

[iforget]

I fly to the USA a couple times a year (usually West Coast so 10-12 hour flights) Since I was diagnosed with PMR...the one thing I have noticed is that the time difference messes with the time I take my meds this was never a problem with my usual non PMR meds... until the pred ...I find messing with pred timings definitely has an impact for a day or two.... I just pace myself until things settle. In flight the usual move around, drink plenty of fluids and get some rest rules apply as much as ever. Pre flight I try to move around a fair bit in the airport too...

It is unlikely that PMR will cause you any real problems during your trip but do make sure that you declare it on your insurance just in case. I paid under twenty quid to have it included in my annual policy and they gave me the option to declare it but not pay extra and not have any PMR related issues covered...that was a risk I was not wiling to take in the USA where medical costs are ridiculously high and paid at the point of delivery.

Relax and enjoy your trip...with the drinks, then meals, then duty free , movies, then snacks again the 7.5 hours will be over before you know it... have fun!

[daisymae]

I did NY in Feb this year and had your concerns so we booked extra leg room which was well worth it. Actually had no problems I usually find my shoulders affected, right about when you take your meds. Travel time was actually 10 hrs as we had to stop for fuel in Bangor so I felt I did OK body wise, taxi very cramped though from airport. Main problem was I had a migraine during outward journey which did tended to occupy both myself and hubby! But journey back fine. Again yes pace yourself we walked everywhere despite the snow, it's a wonderful place and everyone friendly and helpful as we did need medical help for the migraine. Have to say flight attendants were the worst and extremely unhelpful. Make sure when you are home you anticipate needing some rest as it is easy to can get carried away trying to cram everything in. Vegas next year for me - enjoy your hol.

[Freeman12]

I came back from Canada on the 17 th June, 8 hour flight, no effects whatsoever, enjoy your holiday.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I've flown to Korea and the USA since having PMR. The problems are more with changing time zones than the length of the trip - are you in the USA already? If so it will be less of an adjustment for the tablets.

I never plan anything that MUST be done the first day or so and in Korea I went to bed and slept for over 12 hours, got up and transferred to a train and went back to snooze, woke up to get to the hotel and (guess what?) went back to bed until dinner. The next day I was fine and that lasted the rest of the trip. Get up and wriggle a bit on the flight to loosen up a bit.

If it is to be a long day I take an extra large dose of pred that morning and then continue with the normal dose the next morning. If it is a short day I just take the normal dose and then resume normal patterns the next morning. That has always worked fine for me.

But the key is to rest if you feel you need to and really never force yourself if you feel tired or unwell - you will just make yourself feel worse.