Re: Traveling- Stef!!

[Guest guest]

Mandy - I went to Bonaire (Netherland Antillies) off the coast of Venezuala...

never even really considered getting into trouble and having to go to the

doctor... I've NEVER had an afib attack so quickly after another (3 weeks), and

was on all these new drugs, so I thought I was safe!

I had no idea what kind of care to expect when I did run into trouble, but

called back to the states and was given sort of half a** suggestions by my

practice and when I questioned them, was told that the cardio on duty (not mine)

couldn't possibly help me without seeing me! (this is what law suits have done

to our medical community).

So I went to the doctor there, and the doctor I saw was Dutch and not a

cardiologist.. he took my case VERY seriously, however, and was in contact with

a " dive " cardiologist over on Curacao every couple hours as they tried to help

me lower my rate.. he faxed my EKGs over there, and the Curacao cardio looked up

Tikosyn (US only drug) on the internet to find out more information so they

could perscribe something for me.

I had a digoxin drip on Friday afternoon, which helped only slightly.. the

doctor was in and out all day checking on me.. open air hospital, and every

nurse in my ward introduced themselves to me when they came on shift and left...

it was SO pleasant.. everyone was nice and friendly.. there were birds and

lizards cruising around, and no airconditioning in the waiting areas... I'd go

back in a minute! I worried about lack of sterility, but didn't have to...

despite the somewhat primative conditions, I did not fear for myself even once!

The doctor saw me basically all day Friday, several times on Saturday and Sunday

(his days off), and then a final EKG and appointment on Monday. He was very

sympathetic to the fact that he couldn't/wouldn't give me permission to dive,

and took the time to explain each EKG and how this one was better than that

one... just great patient service. The EKGs were each $35, and the WHOLE doctor

bill was $230!!!!! When he quoted me, I looked at him and said " ARE YOU SURE

THAT'S ENOUGH??? " ...

They had all the modern medicines, despite them being all in one big filing

cabinet, and the doctor used all the necessary resources to help me. I will

never fear going to that particular island again!

What I came away from this with, however, is the following: when traveling take

the detailed drug information that comes with all the drugs you take, and read

and understand the contradictions with other drugs you might be given. Take the

number of your cardio back home so you can call if needed and the MOST IMPORTANT

is to have a plan for " rescue " .. either for conversion or rate control,

discussed with your cardio before you go, and take extra medication, and/or

different medications with you.. definitely take more than required in case you

need to double up on something.

I am not promoting self medication, but if you're traveling somewhere where the

medical care is going to be questionable or unsanitary, you better have a plan

to help yourself without the help of the local medical community. Know what

" else " you can take to help yourself, know how to read your own EKG, know the

values on the EKG which mean you can double meds or not... know how high you can

go on each of your current meds as well... and know which meds do what (some

control rate, some control bp.. )

Having the medical information on Tikosyn saved me this time, since it has so

many things that cannot be taken with it. The doctor appreciated that I had it

with me, and we both poured over it when deciding what to take next. I also

knew that I tolerated digoxin and that I had had it in the past when my heart

was out of control...

The fact that I was well informed about my own medicine, and had knowledge of

what had worked in the past, assisted this doctor in giving me the best care

possible. Unfortunately I didn't convert while I was there, but he certainly

saved me from having a disasterous and uncomfortable vacation.. I was still able

to do everything except dive!

best of luck to you and have a great time on your trip!

Stef

yomandy39 wrote:

Hi,

I read your post that you were out of the country and had a fib

attack. I am going to Europe in three weeks and would be interested

in your experience. I have been in NSR for 52 days now, and am

thrilled. (Lots of prayer answered!)

You can e-mail me at mandyofca@...

Thanks, Mandy of CA

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