Travelling long-term with Crohn's? Any suggestions?

[ActionSalamander]

Hi!

I'm a consultant and I'm supposed to be travelling from Canada to the US 4 days/week for 6-9 months starting in April. I have mild symptoms (no pain but diarrhea, weakness, fatigue, occasional blood, chills, fever, etc.) and I'm only on Pentasa.

Has anyone w/Crohns travelled extensively before? If so, do you have any tips/suggestions for managing the disease and stress? I want to be as prepared as possible!

Thanks so much!

 

[Dukeis]

Hi!

I'm a consultant and I'm supposed to be travelling from Canada to the US 4 days/week for 6-9 months starting in April. I have mild symptoms (no pain but diarrhea, weakness, fatigue, occasional blood, chills, fever, etc.) and I'm only on Pentasa.

Has anyone w/Crohns travelled extensively before? If so, do you have any tips/suggestions for managing the disease and stress? I want to be as prepared as possible!

Thanks so much!

I travel extensively about 8-9 years ago. This was about 3 years after starting Remicade. My symptoms were pretty under control at that time. I traveled to Asia mostly. My doctor gave me a Rx for Prednisone and Cipro just in case I was to have problems I could use them at my discretion. From Canada to the US you won't have to worry about the water as I had too. From the the symptoms you describe it doesn't seem as the Pentasa is working well and you may need something more anyway.

 

[ActionSalamander]

Hi Dukeis!

I've only been on the Pentasa a few weeks, I think it might be working but my body is still getting used to all the medication and diet changes.

Did you have any issues getting travel insurance for your trip to Asia? I'm finding it difficult to find a company that will cover someone with a pre-existing condition such as Crohns.

 

[Dukeis]

I had travel insurance, but I can't remember with who. Don't remember the Crohn's being a problem. Who knows though, with all the changes with insurance these days things are most likely different these days.

 

[clarklinds]

Hi!

I hope your travels go well. I actually just returned from a couple month trip to Uganda and everything went well as far as my Crohn's. I also was only on Pentasa, though I took a small dose of prednisone the entire time I was gone just in case.

I would just be prepared as much as possible with all the medications you need for however long you will be travelling for, and any extras like the steroids (if you're not already on them) in case something happens. Also, be sure to bring actual prescriptions with you wherever you go and have your doctor write a letter saying that you have a chronic illness and list what medications you are on. Do you have a way for people to identify that you have ___ (insert disease name here) such as a medical bracelet or small a medical record you can attach to your passport? I think that would be helpful. Also, if you know where you're going in advance, have a list of medical providers and hospitals you could see if an emergency were to happen.

I think what was most helpful for me, and this may sound cheesy or silly, but I think it worked. I kept constant positive thoughts and/or prayers that I would be ok and healthy.

Hope this was helpful. Good luck!

 

[ellie]

I've recently returned to Australia after a trip to Canada and the USA, and didn't have any particular difficulties while I was away. I always carry all medication in my carry on luggage, and try to put a full set of "regular" medication in a couple of separate bags (handbag and computer bag, etc to minimise the disruption from loss/theft, etc)
My experience has been pretty straightforward in first world countries where the drinking water is safe. I'm a bit wary of places where hygiene standards may be different to the levels at home, but fortunately I don't need to travel to those areas for work.
I also take some back up supplies of things I might need, with a clear knowledge of the doses and indications they might be used for - lomotil, prednisone, ciproxin, etc, to avoid having to negotiate a foreign medical system.
I have travel insurance with Covermore Insurance. The first year after my diagnosis they wouldn't cover my Crohn's, but subsequently they do cover it with an extra loading on the premium I pay.
Hope this is helpful


HD

 

[Maree.]

My husband who is healthy travels virtually every week and the travel does take a huge toll on his body. One thing to consider to lessen the impact if your going to the same place each week is to cut the number of trips back and forward.

For example having blocks of two weeks away and then a long weekend at home eg: working Tues - Fri away one week, spending the weekend there and then working Mon - Thurs next week then going home for 4 days.

(My husband works a lot of overtime when he's away which I think is very common for consultants who travel and so he is also able to negotiate an extra day off work on the weekends he's home, while still hitting his utilisation figures.)