Travelling

[Breconblue]

I’m now on 2 mg Pred, doing reasonably well. I’m hoping to visit and travel around New Zealand 🙏🏼the end of the month. If I get a flare up, what dose should I take to get through the three weeks? Should I go high and come down more rapidly than usual? Been looking forward to this for a long time , and I’d like to be able to walk !

[Hidden]

Morning, I saw my doctor yesterday to ask him about same thing. We're going away in June. I also ask him for a much higher dose, like 60 mg to just take with me in case of GCA (my only concern with this disease). He said before going stay on the higher dose and taper again once home. I also ask him if I could have a Dexa scan to check my bone health, that was turned down too. I haven't yet started the Alendronic Acid tablets, but he said to start taking now. Have you been prescribed these drugs? Have a lovely holiday, sounds wonderful.

Regards Anne

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I went to NZ when I was on 6mg - didn't up my dose beforehand or whilst I was there. But I didn't try and reduce either.

The only thing I did was take extra in case they were needed - and take an extra dose on the journey out (due to time differences) only to ensure that I could still take morning dose at 8am when I got there.

It is a good idea to take a bit extra on travelling days.

Should you flare - you could probably get away with taking 7mg for a week and then drop back down to 3mg until you get home. I leave you to do the maths.

I guess you’ve already ordered an extra month’s medication to cover absence.

Keep tablets in hand luggage and all medication in original packet - and copy of prescription to hand.

You might want to consider special assistance at airports - through travel agent or airline (if booked direct) - you might think you don’t need it, but some airports have a long walk - LHR, Singapore for example - but not too bad at Auckland or Christchurch.

Most of all enjoy.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

Or then there is Seoul airport - where it is literally 50 yards from security to the shops and another 50m to the nearest gates, the others aren't much further, - but the priority pass for security seems to be given to the world, his wife and the crew and their families so the queue is SLOW and you stand for ages.

Big mistake to agree to walk because "It isn't far ..." when it is an airport you are not familiar with. It also applies when you know the airport and think it will be fine but then you discover you are docked at one extreme end of the terminal and the baggage reclaim is at the extreme other end. It happened to me! Airport assistance rules!

[Croft9232]

Hi, I went to NZ last July for 3 weeks .I was then taking 12.5 mg daily I just didnt taper whilst away and had extra with me in case of a flare .I was concerned about alot of sitting as we were in a Motorhome for 2 weeks but all was good and considering it was winter!

I would say be vigilant on flights and transit at the moment, take anti bacterial wipes at the very least, as our immune system is suppressed.

I did anyway although my husband thought I was fussing haha.

Have a great time South Island where we went is stunningly beautiful.

I get one of my 2 sons home next weekend from Australia , he has been there 1 year staying with my other son who lives there and I have told him to be vigilant in Singapore in transit too!

Margaret.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Croft9232]

Totally agree on SI- my daughter’s lived there for 13 years - looking forward to going over again this Christmas

[Breconblue]

Thanks all. This was my main worry, husbands is Coronavirus while travelling to and from Singapore and on route .

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Breconblue]

See link to Changi airport re virus - changiairport.com/corporate...

The airport prides itself on being consistently voted No1 - so they are going to be extra vigilant.

You can probably get info from NZ government if hubby worried.