Travelling advice please

[Groggrim]

Good morning, the week after next we will be travelling to stay with our daughter for her birthday. Would I be advised to increase my pred dose for this time or leave it as it is? I am aware of the need to resist long dog walks and overactivity with our grandson as I will be out of normal routine which is always a challenge.Thanks in advance, GG.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Probably best not to increase-just in case- it might help temporarily-but really not best thing long term.

Just make sure you do pace yourself!

[Groggrim in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you DL, I will. Our daughter will insist on it. I will not be going on long beach walks with them all 😥

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Groggrim]

Maybe not this time-but you can still enjoy yourself …

[SnazzyD]

How do you feel on a normal day now? Are you having a good run and are worried it might be step too far or you are you struggling still?

You could increase, however it can be a slippery slope when deciding whether to increase or not because each time can seem special. Where do you draw the line? It is a situation that is fairly controlled as situations go as it is down to you how to conduct yourself. Personally, if it is a just in case increase I wouldn’t do it and then ‘behave’ when I was there. If there are usual stressors then you have the means to deal with it.

[Groggrim in reply to SnazzyD]

I'm ok on the whole thank you Snazzy. You are right, there is no need to increase really, it might give me a false sense of being able to do more than I really should. Thank you for your wise words x

[Zebedee44]

Yesterday you reported that you were doing well at 7.5mg so I think you should stick there for the visit, take a few extra 1mg pills with you just in case, but manage your activity within the limitations of the dose. You really don’t want to keep adjusting your dose, your body will never settle down and tapering will become more difficult. Slow and sure wins the race with PMR.

[Groggrim in reply to Zebedee44]

Thank you 🙂

[Pixix]

Could be the start of another yo yo if you’re not careful! If this is just a normal journey within the same country (no flights) I wouldn’t do it myself. I’d feel I could do more than I should, too! I think we all need to be careful not to ‘over think’ the issue…that’s just a normal day out to most people with PMR. I think you said, in one of your posts, that you’d been yo yoing & it had caused you problems, but yesterday you said you were stable. You’re already thinking two weeks ahead, try to relax a bit & be calm!!

[Gimme]

I wouldn't increase for a break in this country. In fact, I've only ever increased for any holiday when I was already struggling anyway and wasn't going to manage to get away on the trip without it. My tips for going away is to start any prep or packing well in advance to avoid any last minute panics or having an off day just before you go. Think about what you need to do to make the journey there and back easier on yourself. Plan rest and recovery time into your trip plans. For trips abroad, get your health insurance sorted before you pay any money to the holiday company.

The latter is the voice of experience. I paid for a very expensive holiday, intending to get my health insurance done in the next couple days and 2 days after I paid, I got the diagnosis of PMR. I was then unable to insure for any existing conditions. I've since sorted that problem out, but it caused me huge anxiety at the time.

[Groggrim in reply to Gimme]

Thank you for sharing.