Help! New PMR and need to travel- advice welcome

[Mikeysaab]

I'm 6 weeks in from diagnosis starting on 30mg pred I'm now down to 17.5mg and so far so good but I'm worried about some travel next week where I have to go to the USA dealing with a six hour time difference. I take my meds in the morning around 7.30am UK . I'm not sure what people's advice and experience is about adjusting taking meds in the US - maintain UK time which would be 1.30am (yikes!) or adjust to local time?

Also what about carrying meds in hand baggage?

Any tips and advice appreciated?

So glad I found this forum!

[Mary63]

Carry your meds in hand luggage. Just in case main luggage gets lost. Take your meds more often rather than less eg. Same time of day even if it feels 6 -8 hours early. Take more often rather than less often. Better to keep symptoms at bay than worry about taking too much pred. It’s temporary until you get accustomed to relative time zones.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Mary63]

Not sure how long you are going for, but stick to YOUR times - that will mean that one way (out) you will take first US dose slightly earlier than 24hrs - no matter it will help with travel hassle.

On way back I would take an extra dose, or half dose depending on how you feel, because from 7.30 US time to 7.30 UK time next day will be more than 24hrs.

Medication in original packaging plus copy of prescription in hand luggage - always!

Request special assistance if you have a long walk to/from departure gate - thinking of Heathrow in particular.

[Mikeysaab in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks DorsetLady that’s really helpful advice !

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I only ever carry meds in hand-baggage and when it comes to pred, even carry a pack handy in a pocket. Even hand luggage can go AWOL! I have all my meds in a ziplock bag like the liquids one and chuck them into the security tray together - some countries tell you to do that, depends. No-one has ever queried them at all doing that. I've not been asked for a script but some countries might,

Travelling to the US from Europe I take my normal dose and then about 24 hours later proportionally enough to cover the extra hours before the same time to take them in the US (obviously less for NY, more for Miami or Seattle). Taking your regular dose at UK time in the US will just confuse your body, if you take it a 8am in the UK, take it at 8am in the US, but bridge the gap on the way with extra. It isn't a problem coming back with the red-eye flights. The bit extra will just help you cope with the travel.

[Mikeysaab in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks PMRpro- really helpful