My grandmother has recently switched her dosage of steroids ( prednisolone)from 3mg to 2mg. I want to her to travel with me on a short haul flight, is it safe for her to travel? I've read that the body can go into shock plus the risk of DVT.
Thank you.
Do you mean you have read that the body can go into shock on 2mg? I have flown many times over the eight years I've been on pred, most of them over 10mg.
Wow. Thanks for that. My grandmother is in her sixties though. She's suffering from PMR.
Low dosages of 2 or 3 mg are working (hopefully) to control her PMR pain, but should have very low chances of adverse side effects. Deep vein thrombosis is a risk for all of us travelling by air for long distances, and we should all make sure to move around from time to time to keep the blood flowing. A short haul flight shouldn't be a problem. Does she have other health issues which concern you? And for the record most of us here consider the sixties to be relatively youthful!
Thank you for your reply. No other health conditions. I'm going to try and persuade her from this post that it's very low risk! My Nanna is very happy to hear that 67 is considered youthful 
Oh, dearie, she's still a babe in the woods.
Maybe another score of years from now she can be "elderly".
You be careful, you know it's the new 50 !
Wish I was still a youthful 67 I am nearly 77
I traveled to Australia age 74 with about an hour to change planes in the middle on pred for PMR/GCA no problems. May need to increase pred on day of travel but the "aunties" may well be on later with better information. You can ask for airport assistance, wiz you through no problem just contact airline a few days before you travel. Have a good trip.
As safe as if she weren't on pred - that is a very low dose and her body is making more corticosteroid than she is taking in the pills.
I have flown all over the world, mainly long haul, and on much higher doses than that. I do use flight socks but you should anyway.
I am, by the way, about the same age as your grandmother. As are the vast majority of people on this forum. I know you probably think we are positively pre-historic from your view point in your teens or early 20s - but being in your 60s these days is NOT considered old!!!!!!!
Hi,
I flew to NZ three years ago whilst on 6mg at the age of 67 years - no problem whatsoever, and have flown to Spain many times.
2 or 3mg is a very low dose, so your grandmother should have no problem. As PMRpro says most of us on here are in our 60s or 70s - and we're a lot tougher than you may think despite the PMR.
Enjoy!
There should be no problems since you say she is otherwise in fine shape. A couple of tips:
Drink plenty of water. Limit alcohol.
Get up and move around the cabin every 45 minutes to an hour.
And arrange for in-airport transport so you both get a ride instead of having to walk the terminals - especially with any luggage.
Have a great trip and don't worry!
I am not sure where you got the body going into shock misinformation, there would be a lot of casualties on here if that was true. Long and short haul flights are fine. It is always a good idea to wear firm flight socks and periodically give your ankles a twirl. I hope you and your grandmother have a lovely time! If you have particular medical concerns for her, she should talk to her GP. Otherwise just enjoy yourselves, she's lucky to have you.
I've travelled back and forth short and long hall (9 hours plus) and have never had a problem. I drink water and now I wear those tight stockings on my lower legs. Shouldn't be a problem and I am on 2.5 mg Pred. Bon voyage.
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