holiday advice

[Havanahula]

should I go on Bridge playing holiday to Sicily in October. I should be on 6mg of Prednisolone by then . I have GCA

[Bridge31]

I’ve just been in a Bridge holiday to Montenegro. It was lovely. Just pace yourself a little. I upped my dose from 4 to 5 whilst I was there. ( 1week )

Straight back down to 4 the day after I got back with no issues.

It’s really just the airport that’s a drain especially if there are any delays but that wouldn’t hold me back.

Funnily enough we are going to Sicily in October but not a bridge holiday this time. Just with friends.

Go for it xxx

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Hi and welcome - since I see you are new to us.

Would you be so kind as to tell us rather more about your journey so far on your profile page in the Bio bit - how long you have had GCA, doses, tapering, problems and so on? It helps us provide more relevant answers. I assume you are in the UK since you mention prednisolone?

You may be on 8mg by October - but there is many a slip, especially in the first 18 months of GA since flares because of trying to go to too low a dose to manage the current level of inflammation are common. The pred cured nothing, it isn't a case of knocking the disease on the head and then tapering off pred - you are actually looking for the lowest effective dose. That may be the dose you are on at present or it may be the 8mg you are aiming for. How quickly you are reducing may also play a role - too fast a taper also often results in flares of symptoms. Many doctors would dissuade you from long haul travel in the first 6 months or so of GCA management but most don't object to travel later on.

However - why NOT plan to go? If you taper slowly, carefully and watchfully you won't end up with a massive flare and many of us have travelled all over the world with well managed PMR/GCA and being on pred. DorsetLady headed for New Zealand! There are things that are advisable when travelling - airport assistance is a must in our view and more relaxed travelling arrangements than usual certainly help. And DON'T forget to take plenty of pred to cover all eventualities while away!

[Gladys911 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you – this is also helpful for me because I am due to take a trip in September touring Sicily. This was scheduled for last year but I was diagnosed with GCA two weeks before we were due to go - doctors all said I could go but my partner and I were not comfortable with that as I was on 60 dose of prednisolone a day (with all the side effects). I lost a bit on my travel insurance (hadn’t read the small print). I feel a lot happier going this year even if I am still tapering, and even knowing that it is the end of the taper which is riskiest for a flare. Am I being too gung ho? I will take extra tablets in case of a flare.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Gladys911]

Funnily enough - Italy does have a very good medical system! Currently, possibly better than the UK ...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Gladys911]

Not sensible to fly early days for sure - and most Rheumy say no for 1st six months with GCA…

Enjoy this time around…

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Why not? I don’t play bridge, but did travel with GCA - Spain and NZ…

Couple of links to have a look at -

General info/intro post -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

Filling in profile -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

Thanks-helps us to help you…

[Merryfield]

I would go by doctor’s advice plus take extra prednisolone with you. Would also go by how stable your symptoms have been. I am now back on prednisone per new rheumy, btw. And get an international phone plan for the trip so you can reach doc if need be.