Travelling zone changes

[Kinnear]

I'm heading overseas for six weeks shortly long haul between NZ and Europe. Aware that along with the excitement there will be stress on my possible lagging adrenal system. Been on prednisone for five years and currently stable on 1mg prednisone the past two months. A recent synacthen test showed the adrenals are capable of functioning. I'm travelling solo...brave or foolish at 74 years old and wary of flaring Or even that brain foggy overwhelm. Conscious of the time zone differences too. I am thinking to alternate my daily prednisone between 1mg and 2mg until I return and begin a final tapering attempt. Thoughts appreciated.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Having flown to NZ with and without GCA -and also solo my advice would be stay on current dose throughout -and leave the tapering alone until you get back -but take enough in you want to go up to 2mg.

This was my take on trip -

Long before GCA, my son always said put your watch (and mind) on local time in country of arrival -and work to that.

Depending on which way you are going… forwards in time or back you need to think about medication times.

Sometimes it would be good to travel with Dr Who in the Tardis!

On my first trip to NZ when still on Pred, I took usual morning dose in UK (taking an early evening flight)with stopover in Singapore. 

Took another dose with last meal on plane before landing at Singapore-local time 17.30 next day (UK time 7hrs behind).Left Singapore evening around 3-4 hrs later -arrived Christchurch mid morning following day (another few hours ahead) so again took dose with breakfast on plane

Back to morning (local time) next day.

So actually took 3 doses over 27hours rather than 2 -but no issues, and probably helped with travelling hassle…

On return flight -left NZ their noon -so usual dose in morning -either take half a dose in Singapore airport or on UK flight plane with supper (flight left evening local time) and then usual dose with breakfast on plane just before landing 6am UK time.

Just sit down with times of flights and work out..always better to take an extra dose or half dose than not enough .

Make sure all meds in original boxes and copy of prescription in your hand luggage -and book assistance-always a long walk at airport. Also the cabin crew will be aware so will be a bit more attentive - makes life so much easier, and take your medication, copy of prescription and anything else relevant in your hand luggage.

Don’t do too much for a couple of days after flight, but most of all enjoy yourself!

Worked for me …

[jennyjournalist in reply to DorsetLady]

hope you enjoyed NZ! Did you come to Queenstown my home town. Thanks for all the advice. I have actually morphed into rheumatoid arthritis from polymyalgia so dealing with a different beast now! But still on the data base and occasional prednizone as back up to other medication.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to jennyjournalist]

Love it -been twice -daughter and family live there. Hoping to be back for Christmas this year.

Haven’t got to Queenstown, not sure why really -they did have a batch in Hampden near Moeraki so we did Osmaru/Timaru / Dunedin and that side of Otago first trip -and second trip more of north island.

But as they both work in farming-it’s not all holidaying (for them)…

[jennyjournalist in reply to DorsetLady]

🤙

[SheffieldJane]

When I go to see my daughters, sons in law and grandchildren in Australia, I take my Pred dose ( 5 mgs currently) at my normal morning U.K. time. When the time zone changes I take it in the morning of the new time zone, this means I will be taking extra over the journey which tends to work well. By the time I am at my destination, I have adjusted my dose. I barely notice this transition. I hope this makes sense. Wherever it is 7 am I will take my tablet. I think this protects me from some of the rigours of travel. Your plan could work as well. We also invest in Business Class, when my husband retires we may not be able to afford the extra. Some Premium flights can be good. I also had wheel chair assistance which was a great boon with a devoted chap in Singapore even accompanying me to the loo, as well as to the head of all the queues. I was a bit British and embarrassed but it did really help. I also got on and off the plane first.

It also helps to eat very little and drink plenty of water. The cabin crew caught on and brought me soup. This all helped. I go this Christmas. A couple of days recovery in Sydney the the local flight to the children all smiles and hugs.

[Kinnear in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you. All good advice.

[HeronNS]

Sounds like you'll have a wonderful trip! Definitely don't even think about tapering while away. However, unless you have already done the alternating doses on a daily basis and found it worked for you, you may find it better to choose one dose and stick to it. Or, perhaps more ideal for you, take 1.5 as your daily dose. This assumes you aren't using coated pred.

When I was on holiday in the Netherlands a few years ago (for me a 5 hour difference, earlier than my time) I was taking 2.5 mg. I spent some time before the trip actually saving up split tablets by only using the first half, and splitting a new tablet the next day. Very easy to take 2.5 every day while away with no fuss. I did have extra (whole tablets) with me in case it was needed, but it wasn't. (dose was 2x1 mg + .5 mg)

Have a fabulous time!

[Kinnear in reply to HeronNS]

Thank you for that.

[brook2138]

I have just returned (yesterday) from a solo 8 weeks in NZ, so don't think you are foolish at all (I am 79). I am taking 7mg of prednisolone and took my morning and evening tablets based on 18 hour days instead of 24 during my trip each way. This increases the doses slightly but none of the drugs most of us take are dangerous over that short time span. I did not change my prednisolone intake during the trip but did take plenty of spare tablets just in case. In fact, I foolishly commented to someone half way through my trip that I felt better than I had for some considerable time despite such excitements as completing one of the Central Otago bike trails (on an e-bike) and an overwhelming family wedding.

I do hope you can relax and enjoy the trip. I travelled the length of the country from Dunedin to Russell and loved every minute of it.

[Kinnear in reply to brook2138]

How lovely! So pleased you enjoyed NZ. I'm going on a 20 day Northern European Cruise from Iceland to Southampton. Will stop in San Francisco for one night and London for one night meeting my son and flying to start the cruise. Afterwards I'll have ten days in the UK, and two nights in Vienna en route to Phuket for two weeks. Eek...very exciting. I think I will increase to the 2mg over the days for the long haul flights and 1mg when I'm settled.

[9lives]

hi lucky you,

everyone has given you excellent advice.

I would only add that make sure you pack extra prednisone in all your bags, just in case one goes missing/lost. I packed my handbag plus , main luggage and hand luggage with extra pills.

We did that trip just before lockdown, it was fantastic, we also did Australia on the way.

Have a fantastic time x

Carole

[Kinnear in reply to 9lives]

😘