I feel so hindered in my ability to travel. I would love to go live in another country for another year or even another state with out having to worry about where a doctor is, how much it will cost, if i even have insurance and if it will cover the costs. I was hospitalized for 5 days a week or two ago and I just got the bill of 23,300$. Thank god my insurance covered it in full. I just feel so bound by my disability. Is there anyone on this forum who travels, moves around often? How do you go about doing it.
I wish I could travel...
- Thread starter tishbite
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My husband is in the marines and we have moved fairly regularly. I don't ever really have troubles with moving around. I have had Crohn's for 11 years now and have never been in remission.
I always make sure I have up-to-date medical records with me. If I know where I am going to be moving for a while, I'll line up a GI doc before I ever move so I can get right in and get established there when I move.
I was traveling from California where we were stationed, to Kentucky where I'm from several times a year when I lived out there, and I never had a problem getting help if I needed it.
I hope this helps some...
I always make sure I have up-to-date medical records with me. If I know where I am going to be moving for a while, I'll line up a GI doc before I ever move so I can get right in and get established there when I move.
I was traveling from California where we were stationed, to Kentucky where I'm from several times a year when I lived out there, and I never had a problem getting help if I needed it.
I hope this helps some...
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I travel fairly regularly--two to three times a year back to the States to visit family, and a few trips to Continental Europe when time allows.
As for moving, I've done that a bit too. I moved from the Midwest to California after I finished university. I didn't have any issues with that move, and found California really suited me. Then I had an opportunity to move to the UK. I think I started flaring from the stress of the move, and had two five-day hospital days in the two months prior to the move. That didn't stop me, and even though it's been a challenge navigating the NHS, I'd do it again.
As for moving, I've done that a bit too. I moved from the Midwest to California after I finished university. I didn't have any issues with that move, and found California really suited me. Then I had an opportunity to move to the UK. I think I started flaring from the stress of the move, and had two five-day hospital days in the two months prior to the move. That didn't stop me, and even though it's been a challenge navigating the NHS, I'd do it again.
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It can depend on where and why you are travelling. I had a partial obstruction on a trip to Poland, and had to fly back to Canada in a fair amount of pain and discomfort. Went straight to the hospital when I got home. That being said, I have gone twice to the Caribbean when I had some symptoms, and had the crohn's settle down completely and never interrupted my trip. I won't let it get in the way of a well deserved trip!
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Hi Tish. Born in UK, where I was diagnosed at 21 with CD. Had surgery which has not fully solved the problems but has allowed me to keep it manageable. That was 50 years ago. Since then I have lived in Zambia, South Africa, Florida, Panama & for the last 5 years in the Philippines. I just decided that I was going to let my disability affect my life as little as possible.
Plan your trips ahead of time. For any given destination, nowadays you can usually get a list of doctors or specialists in advance. Email them about your problem and ask if they can give you help if it becomes necessary. (Remember that many drugs can be bought over the counter in most countries) Most big cities, for example, have hospitals and doctors 90% as good as U.S equivalents at 20% of the price. Be very careful of what you eat & drink. Again, most big cities have U.S. standard hotels and cuisine.
Start by going somewhere reasonably close - Canada perhaps in your case - or somewhere you have relatives or friends.
By far the hardest thing for you will be making the decision to go somewhere you have wanted to go - and then sticking with it. You must rule your disease rather than let it rule you. I know that is easy to say, but you only get one life. I know - I've been there & I still am. Go for it.
Good luck.
Plan your trips ahead of time. For any given destination, nowadays you can usually get a list of doctors or specialists in advance. Email them about your problem and ask if they can give you help if it becomes necessary. (Remember that many drugs can be bought over the counter in most countries) Most big cities, for example, have hospitals and doctors 90% as good as U.S equivalents at 20% of the price. Be very careful of what you eat & drink. Again, most big cities have U.S. standard hotels and cuisine.
Start by going somewhere reasonably close - Canada perhaps in your case - or somewhere you have relatives or friends.
By far the hardest thing for you will be making the decision to go somewhere you have wanted to go - and then sticking with it. You must rule your disease rather than let it rule you. I know that is easy to say, but you only get one life. I know - I've been there & I still am. Go for it.
Good luck.
Ah, thank you everyone. I'm in washington and have never left the west coast. i've been to mexico and canada and all the states in between but never over seas. I would love to go to Hawaii or Norway. I don't think it will happen soon due to struggling through college + life as it is but it is good to know people with crohn's still take the time to travel. I felt like it was uncommon or something. I'm just worried about the costs of overseas care if I was to get very bad. Living long term somewhere how would I even get good health insurance without a TON of money? Things I am definitely trying to figure out. Thanks again everyone.
xJillx
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I have done a good deal of travelling since my diagnosis. I worry each time that I won't be well on my trip, but I have done great on all (knock wood). I wonder if the lack of daily stress allows me to feel better? Regardless, don't let your disease hold you back from seeing the world. Of course, you want to be well, but there is no guarantee when you need to plan a trip in advance. You just need to hope for the best.
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I've travelled quite a bit as well (domestically and internationally) and found that I am less stressed and have fewer Crohn's symptoms as a result. I joked to my doctor that he should write a prescription of "Take a long vacation" and see if the insurance company will pay for that since travelling has been a successful treatment for me!
When I travel I do make sure I have addresses and contact information for local doctors and hospitals on my person at all times - as well as an "In case of emergency" card that lists my diagnosis, my medications, and emergency contact information of my family/friends.
When I travel I do make sure I have addresses and contact information for local doctors and hospitals on my person at all times - as well as an "In case of emergency" card that lists my diagnosis, my medications, and emergency contact information of my family/friends.
