Foreign travel and time zones

[Billiebobdog]

I am debating a short trip away (under a week) but the time change is 4 hours back, how do people deal with their Preds times? Do you just carry on at the U.K. time for dosing or adjust for time zone? I normally take my Preds between 07:00 and 09:00

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Travelling to the west (i.e. going to the USA) I take my pred as normal for that day and the next dose 24 hours later is a proportionate dose to take me to the same dose time in the destination country when I take the usual dose: say 10mg in the morning and for a 4 hour time difference, 24 hours later I would take about 1/6 to bridge the gap. Then back to normal timing of the dose.Travelling to the east , i.e. returning home, I take the dose at the usual time in the USA and the next at the usual time in the UK even though that would be just 20 hours for your trip. The little bit extra will help with the stress of the journey.

[Billiebobdog in reply to PMRpro]

Sounds like I need to get the calculator out! But sounds sensible

Does the body adjust that quickly to the timezones? It would only be for a short week

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Billiebobdog]

Difficult to say - but I find it makes it easier to not forget the dose when it is at the same time as at home. You can always leave your watch on UK time and take it at UK time but it may end up at a really inconvenient time!

It doesn't have to be exact - and the only adjustment is the small dose to take you to the next morning on the long day travelling.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

As it only a week - and your dose varies between a 2 hours period anyway , I wouldn’t get too hung up about it - stick to those times ( local) but as suggested by PMRPRO take a little on travelling days.Most importantly- enjoy.

[Billiebobdog in reply to DorsetLady]

Hoping to make the trip, if I don’t get swallowed up by airline timetables and layover times (very excitedly it’s to meet my new puppy if we can work it all out)

[Blearyeyed]

If you usually take your dose between 7-9 you could take the dose while still in your own country on the day you leave at the 9 am time then the doses while abroad take at the earlier 7am time which should make your dose while on holiday within two hours of your usual dose at home . When you got home you would take the first doses at 9 again and once you have a few days to get used to being back at home go back to taking it between7-9. As you usually don't take your dose at exactly the same time each day the effect of a slight change should be minimal to you.