Daily medication & travelling several time zones?

[mommy-on-the-move]

How do others deal with this?

I take a daily medication at a set time everyday but when we travel we're travelling from the UK so make a time change of 5 hours (UK being 5 hours ahead) I take my medication late evening as it makes me sound like a drunk (speech slurs sometimes and I really, really have to think some times when speaking as I lose track or misplace words ) so if I just continued taking it every 24 hours I'd be taking it at mid afternoon (Orlando time) which, obviously, would not be good! I take it late evening so I sleep through most of the bad side effects. (not taking it is really not an option)

I was wondering how do others deal with this? Do you edge your medication forward/backwards half an hour or an hour or so everyday? Or do you just deal with the big jump (and 24 hours of side-effects when returning home)?

I'm not travelling for ages yet, but as I'm just getting used to this medication & it's side effects it got me wondering how it will impact on vacation. (I'll be sheduling our flights so they're not during the immediate aftermath of medication as I don't want airport staff thinking I'm drunk/unsuitable to fly... should I take a doctors note in case?)

 

[Piper]

Talk to your doctor about this. One option would be to take it 1/2 hour different for a few days, then 1 hour for a few days, 1 1/2 hours -- etc. I know that would put you taking it at a different time at home, but it may be worth it. Of course, your doctor knows you and your medication, so s/he's really the best bet for a good answer.

 

[mommy-on-the-move]

Thanks for the reply, I think I shall go talk to my doctor- I can also check if/what type of paperwork I'll need to carry in relation to my meds through the airport as we're flying from the UK.

 

[SueM in MN]

I would suggest talking to the Pharmacist also because their specialty is medications and what they do in the body.

 

[kchughes]

We move ours by 1 hour each day until we get to the desired time at our destination. SO if I normally take my med at 9 pm at home and want to continue to take it at 9 at my destination and have a 5 hour difference, I would begin 5-6 days before I leave taking it an hour earlier (or later) each day to get to my desired time. I would still talk to your DR and/or pharmacist to make sure this is a med you can do that with. Also side effects may improve the longer you have been on your medication. But if they continue and are intolerable, talk with your doctor about an alternate medication.