Morning, I’m looking for some advice please about taking my prednisolone after a long haul flight as we will be away for two months.
I usually take my prednisolone about 8am, we are flying to Australia for our granddaughter’s wedding in a couple of weeks so I can take my prednisolone at the normal time on the day we leave but then how do I adjust it as when we land it will 9.30am the following day here but 5.30pm in Perth so do I take it at that time while we’re there or adjust somehow to take in the mornings?
Thank you in advance for any advice.
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GreatGranny4
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My experience going to NZ via Singapore - same sort of timescale -
Long before GCA, my son always said put your watch (and mind) on local time in country of arrival -and work to that.
General advice -
On arrival keep the time you take your meds the same -so if it’s 7 am your time -make it 7am local time wherever you are.
Depending on which way you are going… forwards in time or back you need to think about medication times.
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, copy of prescription and anything else relevant in your hand luggage.
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.
Don’t do too much for a couple of days after flight, but most of all enjoy yourself!
Example -
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.
I 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.
Thank you Dorset Lady that all makes perfect sense so I’ll work out my timings. We’re flying via Dubai as Emirates fly from Birmingham which is quite easy for us to get to, we leave early afternoon and we have just over 2 hours transfer time so it’s bedtime when we board for Perth and that is a ten and a half hour flight.
I always keep all medication in hand luggage together with copies of repeat prescriptions and consultants letters as my husband has quite a few health issues so at least I’m used to that side of things.
You’re welcome - and as I said , enjoy… sure you will.. 😊…
…on outward trip slip in an extra dose somewhere… no harm in that, in fact probably helpful especially if you have hubby’s health to deal with as well.
Thank you, we’re going for our granddaughter’s wedding so it’s a very special trip.
Hubby has Parkinson’s and heart problems so we have special assistance booked for him but at the time we booked the flights I didn’t have PMR so hopefully it will work out okay
I would check with them just in case - though usually you can request it at check-in (if you are able to do proper check-in!). It may make a difference as to how they decide to accommodate you. My husband sometimes was struggling to keep up!
Thanks for the advice, Birmingham is okay as the departure gate isn’t far from the main area. Dubai however is a whole different ball game but they do have buggies so I will ring and check with them.
when flying to Sydney I did very similar to DL and on reflection it wasn’t that difficult. I must admit that I didn’t have special assistance this time but travelling with others including a 6 month old baby we were never left to queue and I had help with my carry on bag. At Singapore airport we were lucky that there was only a short walk between gates and time and places to sit and wait. I did take my walking stick and that seemed to be a sign for people to help.
Have a lovely time and as Dorsey Lady says it is better to have more pred than less. I think my decision as to when to take my pred was made by when the food arrived,
Thank you Koalajane, we have done the trip a few times before and managed to sort out hubby’s medication. I just wanted to make sure I did the right thing to hopefully ward off any issues with the Pred.
I think I will be able to work round the meal times and have an extra dose, I was probably over thinking things but better safe than sorry.
I know we’ll be okay at Birmingham as the departure gate isn’t too far away, it’s never changed any of the times we have travelled. Dubai do have buggies so I will ring Emirates and explain the situation to them. Thanks for the advice it’s much appreciated.
Hmm - I was told that at Seoul, and it was true enough, about 20m to the security gate, I was in the priority queue and maybe 50m on the other side and a couple of hours to while away in a wine bar. However - we stood in the priority queue for well over half an hour, surrounded by screaming children and pushy passengers. At the boarding gate, there were very few seats, I was exhausted by the time I got to the other side of security. I never believe them on principle now.
In November I flew out of Manchester and had assistance. Security was chaos with quite long waits if there was anything questionable. There was - and I was held up, again with no seats. Your wheelchair provides seating EVERYWHERE! The plane was delayed and in Frankfurt I missed my flight so had to be rebooked and wait a few hours. After being rebooked someone came to take me to the gate but without a chair - "It is just up in the lift over there and then it is quite close" they said. HE thought it was quite close, in fact it was a LONG way by PMR standards, the sort of distance I might walk on a good day at home. And I had already been up since silly o'clock and was tired. I had protested - not firmly enough. My point is, you never know these days what might happen.
Too true. We’re off to Faro tomorrow and have booked assistance. I feel fine, in fact have had a good week and could well be ok. Small local airport and it’s winter so may be quiet but I could be stuck in a queue at the gate and the plane at Faro will be parked a long way from arrivals. I feel a bit of a fraud as I look fit in my trainers and jeans but the first time I flew post GCA I didn’t accept the wheelchair. I sat slumped in a cafe after the inevitable kerfuffle of getting through security and had to sit on my carry on case waiting to board at the gate unsure whether my legs would get me up the steps. I learnt my lesson the hard way!
I hope you have a lovely time in Faro and a hassle free experience at the airports. I think our trip this time will be a bit of a learning curve for both myself and hubby.
There’s a thought. I slept badly and feel quite rough today so very glad I’ve booked assistance. You just never know with these AI conditions which is very frustrating!
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