I need some advice please. Every morning at breakfast, the first thing I do is to read all the new posts on my Kindle, hence the question I'm going to ask.
My wife and I are driving from Southern Spain to England for a holiday. This will be 2 x 10 hour driving days. For me, the worst part is the aching backside. I'm normally never still, so this for me is a big problem.
I am currently on 4 1/2mg pred and I have seen on some posts recently, that some of you have taken, by accident, a double dose of pred. So, I wondered, if I doubled my dose to say 9mg for 2 days, would this be advisable or not. Because after about 2 to 3 hours of driving, I won't be able to move.
it will be coming up to nearly 4 years that I've been taking pred now.
Looking forward to your comments.
Best regards to you all.
Buenavista
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Buenavista
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Buenavista, perhaps you would be more comfortable having an overnight break at a B&B, breaking up your journey into a couple of segments. If not, then increasing the dose for a day or two may be your only option to stop you stiffening up at the wheel. I think you would be wise to take as many 'comfort' breaks as you can though.
Good Morning Buenavista. I have managed to reduce my dose of pred down to zero. this weekend i am going on a family holiday only a 2 hour journey? but once there it will be manic; kids, dogs,ie walking beach, football etc.so for the duration i shall up my pred to 5mg. like you i find it hard to just sit for long periods/ Celtic has given you good advice.just to add i have only been on zero pred for 7days so who knows.All the best for your journey & holiday.Dave.
I have a heated seat cover for the car which is wonderful when my bottom and/or back is sore. It works from the cigarette lighter socket. Enjoy your trip!
Thanks Celtic, daveD and Sheilamac for your replies. Most helpful.
What do you think the maximum I should go up to, I'm on 4 1/2mg at the moment?
We are having an overnight stop when we get into southern France. We are going to get up as far as we can, but the next day we will be traveling the same amount of hours, with a ferry crossing in between.
Buenavista, I feel it's one thing increasing from 4.5 to 10 when an obvious flare has arrived on the scene or when facing unavoidable stress to the body via surgery, but another when it comes to a dose increase to cover you for a journey that you feel might induce symptoms when you are otherwise well at 4.5. It doesn't really sit happily with me having to increase the dose for such a reason but then that's just me! How about 7.5......if you must! Then if all is well reducing back down via, say, 6 over the next couple of days. But get out of the car and stretch those legs at every opportunity. I'm sure the journey will be well worth the effort - have a wonderful holiday.
I find memory foam cushions helpful. Re the Pred, I don't feel I should offer advice. It's the coming down again that I would worry about. I always have to taper very very slowly. Good luck. Enjoy your holiday.
Buenavista. i have done that trip by coach in the past with 3 teenagers in tow down to barca.not a happy chappy.if i might add make the most off the ferry to strech legs etc. As for upping your pred go for what your mind&body tells you,no point in suffering more than you have to, you can all ways do a steady reduction once you are back.But most of all i hope you and the bride enjoy your holiday all the Best. Dave.
I always take longer to get there - 10 hour driving days are not good for anyone whether they have PMR or not! I travelled regularly between the UK and Italy and we planned it as part of the holiday and used long ferries to cut the driving time otherwise.
It's fine to take a bit more for a couple of days and go back to the original dose straight away and just a couple of mg may make a big difference.
But if you have a chance before you got - since you say your bum hurts do consider finding a Bowen therapist for a session or two because I bet it would help that. I had that problem alongside PMR and Bowen helped a lot.
The other thing I did was sit far more upright when driving than I used to - I am far more comfortable in the driving seat than the passenger seat, partly because it has a lumbar support, but also because you are moving a bit all the time.
Unfortunately, we live in a small village, 2 thousand feet above sea level in Andalucia and we don't have anyone who could do the Bowen therapy. We only have a physio who enjoys inflicting a lot of pain when he messages you.
I have been told to take a pain pill in instances like this . You then do not have a tapering problem when you get there. It would depend on how the pill affects your driving ability of course. I only take a half of a Norco ( US 5-325) . Another doctor told me I could take a Motrin but that did cause more bruising. Also, because the doctors think I have bursitis...I was given a shot of cortisone at the spot of pain and it did help for a week or two. It is temporary for me but might help you through those two days. Good luck......I would be happy to ride along
Sorry for the late reply guys. Have had a very long busy day today, just finished.
That's what I love about this site, everyone is so helpful and supportive.
We have made this trip many times, either flying, long ferry, short ferry, euro tunnel. But this time we are minus our 4 boys, who have already moved back to the UK. We will be traveling with only our 16 year old daughter this time. We need to travel by car, as we have lots of things to bring back and not a lot of time to do it. So I will take on board all your kind remarks.
In that case - up your dose a bit for the entire time and you should be able to go back to your old when you've finished. If you just have a few days of higher dose there is no need to taper in the same way,
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