Pred and jet lag

[Devonspinner]

Don't think my last post worked so..

On Friday we fly from Auckland to LA at 10pm, fly 10 hrs then land in LA at 5pm, 5 hrs before we left,!

After 3 hrs in LA we fly to Heathrow landing at 10am Saturday morning.

I will take my usual 20mgs on Friday morning, was thinking of taking 10mg when we leave LA then another 10mg at Heathrow.

I know I will be tired when we get home but I would like advice from you clever lot. xx

[Hidden]

It’s certainly worth adding up how many ‘actual’ hours there are & as you suggest adding in extra Pred, it’s the getting there before you left that’s always the challenge!.....

I’ve always done as you’re suggesting plus a bit for airport stress!.....

Safe Flight ✈️

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

Might be worth taking the 10mg or maybe just 5mg depending on how you feel at LA as an “extra”, and then take the normal 20mg on the plane an hour or so before you get to LHR.

I used to do that when on Pred when I flew out to NZ - a little extra for once certainly won’t do any harm when contending with airports!

You’ll find it colder when you get home, so keep some winter woolies close to hand!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

As MrsN says I'd look at the hours involved. You are flying the "short way round" so I would look at where you will be 24 hours after the dose on Friday morning. Going that way round I take the dose as usual before leaving then the next about 24 hours later at a time that is convenient, preferably morning. Then the dose at home at the at home time. If there is a extra bit of pred in any of the 24 hour periods you will just feel a bit "up" on usual.

[SheffieldJane]

DL and PMRPro’s advice works with no downside in my experience. I even think my jet lag is easier than it used to be. I fly to Australia most years.

[whitefishbay]

Travelling never bothered my PMR. Try to move around though. Safe trips.

[Ifton]

I was diagnosed with PMR in Jan 2017 and presecribed 15mg of prednisone. Within hours no pain and I thought I could fly. By July I was down to 6mg before flying from Auckland to the UK. So two legs of 12 hours and a three hour layover. There and back. Had a great time in the UK with only a couple of days of very low energy. However a blood test on my return to NZ showed CRP levels higher than when I was diagnosed with PMR. After a trip to the Eye Clinic I was diagnosed with GCA and put on 60mg.

So did I develop GCA due to the stress of flying or was it just coincidence? The temporal artery biopsy I had was inconclusive though the consultant was sure that there were signs I had GCA. Could the CRP be a false result, I will never know.

Do what you can to have a comfortable trip. Stay hydrated and exercise when you can. Next time I will definitely have a stopover in both directions. Wish you a safe and happy trip.

[Valnvaughan]

Hope you have airport assistance. As others say add up your hours travelling and calculate Pred. And rest a lot!