Traveling time zones

[Belfastman]

Hi- I travel frequently to the USA to support the care of my mother who is 99. There is a 5 hour difference. NY is 5 hours behind GMT. Any recommendations on how to handle taking my prednisone . Presently Im on 6mg daily.

i need to add that the stress has recenty had an adverse effect and Im thinking of increasing the dose when i travel and taper again

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Now you have posted there are related posts to look at -

5 hours is not too much of a change - but adding in an extra half a dose on flight days would probably help -and keep the time you take your meds the same -so if it’s 8 am BST -make it 8am ET whilst you’re there.

Don’t even think about tapering at the moment …

[Belfastman in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you again DorsetLady and PMRpro its brilliant to know there are a group of experienced people i can turn to for support.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The long day way I add the proportion of the time difference and take it about 24 hours after the last dose to tide me over to the usual time to take pred locally.

So for NY I'd take my normal dose before leaving and take 5/24ths or about a quarter of the dose before bed in NY and then take my normal pred dose the next morning. So for you, 6mg before leaving and 1.5 or 2mg before bed and back to 6mg next day.

[Belfastman in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks so much - i will try this , it make alot of sense. Can you tell how you would handle it he return time difference?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Belfastman]

As I said in the other post - the short day way I just take the normal dose in the morning before travelling and at the usual time when I get home which will be less than 24 hours. That way it is slightly more than the usual 24 hour dose but it doesn't matter.

[Belfastman in reply to PMRpro]

Got it- thanks again. Trying hard not to over extend my energy levels.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Belfastman]

Make sure you book airport assistance. You may not need a wheelchair but it does mean you always have a seat! Priority boarding is a mixed blessing if you are on the outside of the row as you will be bobbing up and down for those who arrive later! But never believe a check-in agent who tells you you don't need one as it isn't far - at Seoul airport I ended up standing for ages in the priority security queue - all crew, children, the halt and the maim. The other queue was shorter and no screaming toddlers! And try to NEVER fly via Healthrow ...

[Belfastman in reply to PMRpro]

Great advice- I now only fly from Birmingham , the closest airport. But the same thing happened to me on the priority line so will book assistance from now on. Thank you