Travel - China - Crohns -- A good combination?

[KeithK28]

Hi everyone,

So, I'm moving to China (from Ireland) in August for 6 months to teach English. I think it'll be a great experience and I am determined to do it and not let Crohn's get in the way.

I am on Humira (I was on Infliximab, but switched to Humira so I could self-inject).

Basically, am I wise to be doing this. Im not worried about the change in diet (infact my IBD nurse said she thinks the Chinese diet would suit Crohn's cause its fish, rice, tofu, chicken etc. focused), I'm more worried about what to do if I get a really bad flare-up or develop an abscess or something horrific along those lines. I don't speak Chinese (I will have a Medical Report with me though, but still...).

Am I playing Russian Roulette? I really don't think I should let Crohn's dictate opportunities in life for me so thats why I signed up to do this. Any advice? Has anyone does something similar before?

Any advice/suggestions welcome.

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

I don't have personal experience myself, but I do have a friend who moved from the US to Japan awhile back to teach English, so I can tell you what I know about his experience. My friend has some sort of undiagnosed tummy troubles - he had his appendix out but that didn't seem to fix his issues, and he said that doctors in Japan don't see many cases of things like Crohn's, so they're fairly clueless in how to help him. My friend suspects he might have Crohn's but isn't sure. He does speak Japanese quite well so at least there isn't a language barrier, but he still struggles to get proper care from his doctors. I'm guessing that a proper Japanese diet would help my friend, but unfortunately his favorite food is hamburgers and I'm sure he eats a lot of Western food.

If it were me, I'd start learning to speak at least basic phrases so that you can tell a doctor what your medical condition is, what meds you're taking, etc. When you get there, maybe seek out a doctor who speaks some English so that you have someone to turn to in an emergency situation. And I'm not sure how it works in other countries, but I know that here in the US, if someone doesn't speak English, there is a translator service available at hospitals (the doctor and patient call a translator on the phone) so maybe there will be something like that available in China? And honestly, if it were me, I would pack some extra meds "just in case" - like a stash of prednisone, pain pills, whatever else. That way if it's an emergency and the language barrier gets in the way, at least you have something on hand.

Good luck and have fun! I'd love to travel to Asia someday so I'm jealous! If you are able to, give us some updates once you get there!

 

[JMS]

KiethK28, did you ever figure out how to travel to China with Humira? I am hoping to do the same, travel to China to teach English but have been struggling to find insurance that will cover me. I plan on going for two years so it's a lot more than six months but any information you can pass on would be great! Thanks!