Hi everyone, I will soon be spending a month travelling in Singapore/New Zealand. Has anyone got any advice on whether to keep taking pred at my usual time (ie 8.30 am UK time) or should I change to 8.30 am in the other time zones? If the latter, how is it best to do this?
NB I’ve had PMR since 2018 and am currently on 4mg with slight pain in neck and shoulders.
Having flown UK/NZ with and without GCA - this is my take on things-
General advice -
Long before GCA, my son always said put your watch (and mind) on local time in country of arrival -and work to that.
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!
My 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.
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.
Worked for me …
important -get the “slight pain” under control before you go -and no tapering until you return.
Enjoy 😊
Thanks so much DorsetLady, that’s really helpful. ☺️
Like DL I take my pred at the usual time I take it at home but local time.
While travelling west to east (UK to the Far East) I just take it in the morning before travelling and the next dose next morning - sooner than 24 hours but it was a hard day! Travelling east to west, (the Far East to the UK) the long day, I take the dose in the morning before travelling, then a proportion of the dose about 24 hours after the last one, enough to bridge the extra time to usual dose time at home.
Does that make sense? But always better to have taken slightly MORE than the usual day's dose than too little!
Thanks for the advice PMRpro, very useful.👍
Probably best to adjust your daily dose to the change so you end up taking it when you wake at your local time. Will take a few days as your body adjusts to the new. More importantly try and wear a mask and back to hand gel on the flight out and in confined spaces. Not so much for Covid but for viruses you are not immune to. I’ve just returned from visiting family in UAE and spend most of it feeling pretty wretched with a ‘local’ flue type virus. Still coughing for England …..
Thanks for the advice.☺️
I tend to go on local time once on planes. Depending on time differences. It’s easier going east. One word of advice is I always pack three lots of pills. Ie 3 x the amount I need. And I put one lot in suitcase one in hand luggage and one in hand bag. That way if your cases are lost or stolen you at least have back up . Also wise to take a prescription with you.
Good luck have a fab time. Xx
Carole
Not to mention a pack in accompanying person's hand luggage ...
I trust NO-ONE ...
👍☺️
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