In 4 weeks time (fingers crossed and Covid permitting) I will be traveling from the UK to Pennsylvania US to spend Christmas with my son and his family. I am seeking advice as to how I should manage my steroid dose as when I arrive in the US there will be a 5 hour time difference, ie that day will be 29 hours long. Normally I take my steroid dose at 10.00 am. On my return I will experience a day that is only 19 hours long due to the time change.
Any advice on how to manage these time changes would be appreciated.
Many thanks.
Written by
Tiggy70
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
What I do travelling that way is take my normal dose before leaving and then a bit more 24 hours later that will take me to my normal time in the new time zone. So, in your case, 5/24 ths of the usual total dose. if it is a silly amount, round it up so I'd take a quarter of the dose. Then take the usual dose when it is 10am there. Coming back I just take the dose in the morning in the USA, travel home and take the next dose a few hours early at the usual time. The little bit extra helps cope with the time change.
Oh - forgot to mention: when I get there, I rest, preferably in bed, for 24 hours. Then I am able to enjoy the rest of the time far better. Make sure that, at the least, there are no "Events" planned for that first day.
Yes, I’ll try and do that. My grandchildren won’t have finished school for Christmas when we get there so I should be able to rest for a few days before the fun starts!
Dear PMR Pro, I am also crossing my fingers for a one month visit to my son and his family, leaving Somerset on 5 December via Singapore. I have taken on board what you said to Tiggy but wonder if there are special factors relating to travelling East? I would appreciate your help!
Well that way round the journey out is a short day so I just continued taking the dose at the local time - usually means you are taking the dose a bit early so maybe a bit more in the 24 hours but that isn't a bad thing with the stress of travelling. Also depends how many days you take - we spent 2 or 3 days in HK on the way to Aus. Then the readjustment is when travelling home, adding to the daily dose after 24 hours to carry you over until the next dose time arrives.
DL and SheffieldJane are experienced in the Aus/NZ trip
Dear PMRPro, thank you for your helpful reply. I am quite twitchy about this journey to Sydney to see my son and his family on 5 December but it's not having travelled for a long time. No stops en route, just change planes in Singapore! Your experience is much appreciated and I'm sure you have many happy memories. Thank you.
Hi Dad2Cue, thanks for your response. As you have advised I’m going to have to try to be prepared for the unexpected. I did manage a 2 hour flight last September to visit friends in Portugal. There was no time change to contend with so the timing of meds. wasn’t an issue. I carried a copy of my consultants letter, my prescription detailing all my meds. and an extra 5 days of drugs in case we were delayed on our return to the UK. I’m currently on 9 prescription meds. so my hand luggage will be bulging with tablets! My husband assures me we that we have good medical insurance.Re your ancestors buried in Pennsylvania it was so nice that the farmer respected their final resting place. My son has lived in PA for 25 years. He left England in 1995 on a soccer scholarship. He has had and continues to have a very good life in the US. I’m sure you’ll have a great time on your cruise to Spain and be able to take things at a much slower pace. I’m finding it very difficult to get excited about holidays at present because of my PMR and Covid threat. I guess it will be like most things. Once I’ve done it I’ll hopefully be less stressed the next time 🤗
Have a lovely time. When you first land don't even try to stay up for the local bedtime. Even a couple of extra hours sleep will help you, and as your clock won't have changed you probably will wake up next morning ready to go, but heed advice here and make sure you schedule in some rest. Time to hone the napping skills. 😉 it is, however, a good idea to try to settle into the new time zone as quickly as possible, try to get bright daylight early in the day. I've crossed the Pond many times now and generally speaking it's easier flying west as you gain hours which you can use to catch some sleep the first evening . That extra 2 mg pred should see you through.
Thank you for the advice. I agree it’s easier flying West than East. I often struggle a bit with jet lag on my return and take Melatonin for 5 nights which helps with my sleep. I’m not sure whether this is safe to take with Steroids - I’ll have to check.
As my eastern trip is always towards the holiday or seeing family I haven't had much trouble adapting quickly. All in the mindset! My last two trips, first was when I was suffering from undiagnosed PMR and I was actually better while away from home and all the stresses there. It was a visit with my cousins, a retirement gift to myself. The second trip was an art tour when my pred dose was 2.5 and my husband, who does not have PMR or other debilitating chronic condition, was forever going off to have a nap, whereas I did everything, including all the optional activities.From an aromatherapy shop I got a magic elixir to help with jet lag. I have bought a fresh bottle for every journey involving multiple times zones for about ten years, and have even sprinkled it on the pillows of unsuspecting visitors. 😆
Thanks. I fully agree that keeping busy and doing what we enjoy takes our mind off some of the bad stuff this disease throws at us. My granddaughter in the US has just turned 14. Due to Covid restrictions I haven’t seen her for 2 years. I can’t wait to re establish the bonds we once had. Any hints on the magic elixir? I use a lavender pillow spray every night and I know it helps me sleep.
At one time I knew what was in it, three very common essences. If I still have a bottle here I'll check the ingredients, but that won't give the proportions. I have a story to tell about a blind test I carried out, but must stop typing now. My device is starting to hurt my hand!
We are going by train to visit my daughter and her family first week of December. Over 24 hours away! My granddaughter was 4 months old when we last saw her, almost exactly two years ago. Thank goodness for Skype.
Aha, grapefruit, lavender and eucalyptus. I was told it's the grapefruit which doesn't last long, so its good to buy new, not save for next trip which might not be for a year or more.
Thank you for raising this question: we are off to Vancouver in just over 3weeks and since I have just had a rather large tumour removed from my forehead, I haven't really been thinking about pred. doses! Everything that has been said is so useful for me - thank you Tiggy70 and everyone else.
You’re very welcome humlies. This forum is invaluable to me as it is to so many others walking the PMR/GCA path. I know that I will always get a fast and expert opinion on any issue that is worrying me. Wishing you all the best after your head surgery. Thank you everyone 🥰
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Pred dose timing and travel
taking steroids during the night 
Taking steroids at night….
