Time Differences and taking Pred.

[Joan-E-D]

I'm going to be travelling to Vancouver from the U.K. and the time difference is 8 hours. I leave at 10.10 a.m. and arrive at 12.10 p.m. Vancouver time which will be 8.10 p.m. my time. I normally take my 6 mgs Pred. just before going to bed i.e. 11.30 p.m. I'm not sure how to adjust to the time difference without going too long without Pred. Any advice please. Thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Doing a similar trip I took my usual dose before travelling (I may have added a mg or 2 as I do sometimes to give me a better day while travelling) and then took a proportional extra dose at what would have been my bedtime in Europe to carry me through to bedtime in Canada. So you would take maybe 3mg at about 3pm Vancouver time to take you through to bedtime. It doesn't work taking pred at UK time - it needs to be the same way it fits with your circadian ryhthm as a home (i.e. relative to going to bed and getting up).

I do like to find a bed for a few hours but get up again for dinner and don't "go to bed" until bed time going that way. I think the pred helps the jet lag.

Are you travelling on or just going to Vancouver?

[Hidden]

PMRPro has just saved me from writing virtually the same thing.

Longer day, more Pred proportionally!

Have a Great Holiday ✈️

[ConventCassie]

I just went inter continent and worried about time from Boston to California. I started a week early adjusting the time to get to LA when I needed to be on their time. Last time I just went with the iPhone & their adjustment & it was fine both ways. But only 3 hours difference. (It was so nice to sit on a plane & relax instead of work that I never altered the dose.) I did treat myself to extra money to get luggage checked & a pleasant ride at 5:00 to the airport.

[FRnina]

I did similar to PMRPro when travelling Paris- New York. Worked a dream. Can also highly recommend booking 'airport assistance' before travel (from airline or travel company). You get taken through in a wheelchair and collected in a wheelchair on arrival. Including jumping the taxi queue. After the 8h flight was through Kennedy airport in 20 min as opposed to the usual 3-hour immigration control queue. Takes care of PMR/GCA over-exertion issues. Don't forget your long-haul flight compression stockings!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to FRnina]

Though if you are returning to the UK via certain airports (Heathrow included) the airport assistance is hopeless it seems. Several people have been left sitting on the plane for an hour before anyone turned up! They were disabled to the extent they needed a wheelchair to get off the plane though - which did make me wonder - usually they are desperate to get the plane sorted to turn around...

But the US are usually excellent - and the biggest plus is the immigration queue!!!! Oh - and don't believe someone telling you "It isn't far" or "The priority queue is really quick.". I am happy to manage without a wheelchair if the airport is fairly compact and I have loads of time until boarding. However, in Seoul last week it really was only about 50m the other side of security - but the priority queue was meaningless with all the world and his wife, kids and household staff using it. I stood for ages - which is exactly my problem.

[Joan-E-D]

Thanks for the advice. As usual very helpful and sensible. Good to know Pred. helps with Jet lag!

I'm staying in Vancouver meeting up with my daughter there. She lives in Canada. We're going on a cruise to Alaska a couple of days later so I'll have time to rest in Vancouver before we cruise. It'll be the first time I've travelled so far since I've had PMR. 10 hours flight from Gatwick!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Joan-E-D]

I did that cruise a couple of years ago - loved it!