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flying while dealing with SAI
I am still on the 6 mg dose my rheumatologist put me on to address my prednisone withdrawal syndrome and SAI, and I would like to take an interstate trip to visit my grandchild next month. I have to change planes, so the trip always takes a full day. I am wondering if I will be able to manage the trip, and what tips people have who have traveled while dealing with SAI.
I have been managing short periods of being up and about at home by being sure to stay well hydrated to keep my blood pressure up and I wear support socks. Flying I typically under hydrate so that I don't have to worry about needing to go to the bathroom in flight. And then there is the stress of flying, changing planes etc.
I really really want to make the trip but not if I will be too impaired to do anything with my family when I am there. I am hoping some of you can give me some useful advice based on your experiences.
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It doesn't sound like the 6mg is addressing your issue. Have you brought that to the attention of your rheumatologist? Have they discussed using hydrocortisone? I'd see your rheumatologist before making the travel plans because you don't sound like you're completely confident in your ability to make the trip.
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2 ReactionsIt may present a problem if you are traveling alone. With orthostatic
BP you may need to hydrate more
and push salt intake if you don’t have heart problems. Have you been given
a med for hypotension?. On the plane I sit aisle near the lavatories and stand up every hour. I have midodrine on hand and travel with a portable BP cuff. Support stockings and depends help. Talk to your doctors first.
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2 ReactionsNo, I am not on meds for hypotension. I was actually on a medicine for hypertension because I have extreme white coat anxiety triggered particularly by BP measurements. There is a reason for this but it's neither her nor there. Although my iWatch showing how my heart rate leaped when my BP is measured, my now retired PCP had me on hypertensive meds just in case it masked underlying hypertension. After I almost passed out in my studio, she did cut one out so I no longer felt like collapsing but still had problems with balance after taking my evening dose. Episodes of almost collapsing stopped when at the advice of my pharmacist and the blessing of my rheumatologist I went totally off the BP medicine. I try to maintain homeostasis but if my routine is disrupted, I manage feelings of dizziness by drinking more water and popping a few "rescue" potato chips. Unfortunately I live alone and my travel plans entail going to my family. Still a month away, though, and periods of feeling OK are gradually getting longer, and not so OK shorter and less frequent.