Guest guest Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 I have traveled in Europe in 2001, but that is the only foreign travel I have done with IgAN. I do travel 2-3 times a month in the States for work though. I don't know about vaccinations for foreign travel though. You might want to run that one by your Nephrologist. In a message dated 12/3/2004 1:29:08 PM Pacific Standard Time, ejl2@... writes: > > I was told by my neph two years ago that the best things I could do > for my condition were to 1) maintain my blood pressure at a > normal/low level and 2) avoid upper respiratory tract and > gastrointestinal tract infections. I was wondering if any of you > have done much foreign travel, and if so, did you have problems in > other (particularly developing) countries? Also, have you ever been > warned against any vaccinations because of IgA? I'm traveling to > India next year, and I know there are many vaccinations recommended- > just wanted other people's perspective on this issue. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 Great suggestions Bart! Thanks. This email is a " keeper " . I hope you have a wonderful trip to Egypt. In a message dated 12/3/2004 2:43:30 PM Pacific Standard Time, bkhphd@... writes: > > , > > I have been encouraged by my neph to continue my vigorous travel schedule, > and have had no trouble receiving the requisite vaccinations....typhoid, > DPT, Hep a,b, and so forth...indeed, I am spending 3 weeks traveling all > over Egypt starting in just a few days. Previously I have traveled all over > the Far East, rich and poor country alike...though this will be my first of > many visits to Africa. > > A couple things are at issue though: > > 1. As you plan to travel to India, you need to take into account malaria > prophylaxis....whether you need this in the areas you're traveling to; which > sets of pills to proactively take; and so forth. Some of the antimalarials > are contraindicated in those with declining kidney function. Your neph will > know, and the public health dept where you live can advise you on travel to > anywhere...what vaccinations; etc. > > 2. You will very much want to take along a kidney-friendly regimine for > bacterial infection as well as an anti-diarhhea (sp?) medication (like > Imodium). Again, consult your neph on that, as many antibiotics are > murderous to already-wounded kidneys, and you want to take the correct ones. > > 3. Your current pills and potions: you will need enough of these, of > course, but also copies of your prescriptions in the event you run out, you > lose your supply, your bags get stolen...you get the idea. > > 4. TRAVEL INSURANCE. An absolute must, and I don't mean just for the cost > of the trip....I mean for the cost of putting your fuzzy self back on an > airplane to be repatriated to a place where decent medical care exists. It > does in India, but really in fairly large population centers only. You do > NOT want your kidneys to fail and be stuck overseas....I mean this one, a > friend injured herself on holiday and had to pay, upfront, $50,000 to get > herself on an air ambulance back to the US (she broke her back in Jamaica). > > 5. The Rules. Sounds odd? Well, certain things overseas you don't want to > eat, drink, or do. Your public health folks can fill you in, but most of > this surrounds what foods to eat (i.e. no raw ones), never drinking the > local water supply, only bottled or purified (NOT even to brush your teeth > with), and as you have kidney troubles you MUST be religious about following > the guidelines in this regard. The Rules also apply to malaria and mosquito > management. No joke, you don't want dengue fever (trust me, I've had it. > Its awful. Brazil, however, was wonderful). > > 6. Painkillers. Be careful here, many of the 'usual' ones are > harmful...among them ibuprofen and so on. Bring your own tylenol with you > when you travel. > > 7. Medical care (locally). Be ready to explain in simple terms your > disease process and the fact that your kidneys are compromised and why. > This is important...many medications are as I have said problematic in > people like us. I suggest the equivelant of a medic alert bracelet or neck > chain, or at the BARE MINIMUM brief your traveling companions on do's and > don'ts for you medically. In my case I carry a folder for this right within > my passport; my companions are briefed; and each is given a list of what > MUST NOT be prescribed. Typically, at least one of my companions is local, > so we make certain any up-front translation issues are covered with the > local if (s)he doesn't speak English. The danger here is of course some > accident or illness that renders you incapable of communicating. The good > part about India is of as a former jewel in the Empire crown, many folks in > the larger cities will speak English as a matter of course. > > In large measure, you simply need to be more cautious than the average bear > in dealing with diseases and such overseas; which tablets you can take and > which not; and so on. It is all, however, very manageable. > > Drop me a note after the first of the year and I will fill you in as to how > Egypt went in regards to kidney issues. > > Until then, cheers, Bart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 , I have been encouraged by my neph to continue my vigorous travel schedule, and have had no trouble receiving the requisite vaccinations....typhoid, DPT, Hep a,b, and so forth...indeed, I am spending 3 weeks traveling all over Egypt starting in just a few days. Previously I have traveled all over the Far East, rich and poor country alike...though this will be my first of many visits to Africa. A couple things are at issue though: 1. As you plan to travel to India, you need to take into account malaria prophylaxis....whether you need this in the areas you're traveling to; which sets of pills to proactively take; and so forth. Some of the antimalarials are contraindicated in those with declining kidney function. Your neph will know, and the public health dept where you live can advise you on travel to anywhere...what vaccinations; etc. 2. You will very much want to take along a kidney-friendly regimine for bacterial infection as well as an anti-diarhhea (sp?) medication (like Imodium). Again, consult your neph on that, as many antibiotics are murderous to already-wounded kidneys, and you want to take the correct ones. 3. Your current pills and potions: you will need enough of these, of course, but also copies of your prescriptions in the event you run out, you lose your supply, your bags get stolen...you get the idea. 4. TRAVEL INSURANCE. An absolute must, and I don't mean just for the cost of the trip....I mean for the cost of putting your fuzzy self back on an airplane to be repatriated to a place where decent medical care exists. It does in India, but really in fairly large population centers only. You do NOT want your kidneys to fail and be stuck overseas....I mean this one, a friend injured herself on holiday and had to pay, upfront, $50,000 to get herself on an air ambulance back to the US (she broke her back in Jamaica). 5. The Rules. Sounds odd? Well, certain things overseas you don't want to eat, drink, or do. Your public health folks can fill you in, but most of this surrounds what foods to eat (i.e. no raw ones), never drinking the local water supply, only bottled or purified (NOT even to brush your teeth with), and as you have kidney troubles you MUST be religious about following the guidelines in this regard. The Rules also apply to malaria and mosquito management. No joke, you don't want dengue fever (trust me, I've had it. Its awful. Brazil, however, was wonderful). 6. Painkillers. Be careful here, many of the 'usual' ones are harmful...among them ibuprofen and so on. Bring your own tylenol with you when you travel. 7. Medical care (locally). Be ready to explain in simple terms your disease process and the fact that your kidneys are compromised and why. This is important...many medications are as I have said problematic in people like us. I suggest the equivelant of a medic alert bracelet or neck chain, or at the BARE MINIMUM brief your traveling companions on do's and don'ts for you medically. In my case I carry a folder for this right within my passport; my companions are briefed; and each is given a list of what MUST NOT be prescribed. Typically, at least one of my companions is local, so we make certain any up-front translation issues are covered with the local if (s)he doesn't speak English. The danger here is of course some accident or illness that renders you incapable of communicating. The good part about India is of as a former jewel in the Empire crown, many folks in the larger cities will speak English as a matter of course. In large measure, you simply need to be more cautious than the average bear in dealing with diseases and such overseas; which tablets you can take and which not; and so on. It is all, however, very manageable. Drop me a note after the first of the year and I will fill you in as to how Egypt went in regards to kidney issues. Until then, cheers, Bart Travel question I was told by my neph two years ago that the best things I could do for my condition were to 1) maintain my blood pressure at a normal/low level and 2) avoid upper respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract infections. I was wondering if any of you have done much foreign travel, and if so, did you have problems in other (particularly developing) countries? Also, have you ever been warned against any vaccinations because of IgA? I'm traveling to India next year, and I know there are many vaccinations recommended- just wanted other people's perspective on this issue. To edit your settings for the group, go to our Yahoo Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/iga-nephropathy/ To unsubcribe via email, iga-nephropathy-unsubscribe Visit our companion website at www.igan.ca. The site is entirely supported by donations. If you would like to help, go to: http://www.igan.ca/id62.htm Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 Wow Bart! I second . Absolutely GREAT POST! Hope you have a wonderful time in Egypt. And yes, please don't forget to send us a " postcard " about your journey!! (hehehe...) Bonnie W4JC@... wrote:Great suggestions Bart! Thanks. This email is a " keeper " . I hope you have a wonderful trip to Egypt. In a message dated 12/3/2004 2:43:30 PM Pacific Standard Time, bkhphd@... writes: > > , > > I have been encouraged by my neph to continue my vigorous travel schedule, > and have had no trouble receiving the requisite vaccinations....typhoid, > DPT, Hep a,b, and so forth...indeed, I am spending 3 weeks traveling all > over Egypt starting in just a few days. Previously I have traveled all over > the Far East, rich and poor country alike...though this will be my first of > many visits to Africa. > > A couple things are at issue though: > > 1. As you plan to travel to India, you need to take into account malaria > prophylaxis....whether you need this in the areas you're traveling to; which > sets of pills to proactively take; and so forth. Some of the antimalarials > are contraindicated in those with declining kidney function. Your neph will > know, and the public health dept where you live can advise you on travel to > anywhere...what vaccinations; etc. > > 2. You will very much want to take along a kidney-friendly regimine for > bacterial infection as well as an anti-diarhhea (sp?) medication (like > Imodium). Again, consult your neph on that, as many antibiotics are > murderous to already-wounded kidneys, and you want to take the correct ones. > > 3. Your current pills and potions: you will need enough of these, of > course, but also copies of your prescriptions in the event you run out, you > lose your supply, your bags get stolen...you get the idea. > > 4. TRAVEL INSURANCE. An absolute must, and I don't mean just for the cost > of the trip....I mean for the cost of putting your fuzzy self back on an > airplane to be repatriated to a place where decent medical care exists. It > does in India, but really in fairly large population centers only. You do > NOT want your kidneys to fail and be stuck overseas....I mean this one, a > friend injured herself on holiday and had to pay, upfront, $50,000 to get > herself on an air ambulance back to the US (she broke her back in Jamaica). > > 5. The Rules. Sounds odd? Well, certain things overseas you don't want to > eat, drink, or do. Your public health folks can fill you in, but most of > this surrounds what foods to eat (i.e. no raw ones), never drinking the > local water supply, only bottled or purified (NOT even to brush your teeth > with), and as you have kidney troubles you MUST be religious about following > the guidelines in this regard. The Rules also apply to malaria and mosquito > management. No joke, you don't want dengue fever (trust me, I've had it. > Its awful. Brazil, however, was wonderful). > > 6. Painkillers. Be careful here, many of the 'usual' ones are > harmful...among them ibuprofen and so on. Bring your own tylenol with you > when you travel. > > 7. Medical care (locally). Be ready to explain in simple terms your > disease process and the fact that your kidneys are compromised and why. > This is important...many medications are as I have said problematic in > people like us. I suggest the equivelant of a medic alert bracelet or neck > chain, or at the BARE MINIMUM brief your traveling companions on do's and > don'ts for you medically. In my case I carry a folder for this right within > my passport; my companions are briefed; and each is given a list of what > MUST NOT be prescribed. Typically, at least one of my companions is local, > so we make certain any up-front translation issues are covered with the > local if (s)he doesn't speak English. The danger here is of course some > accident or illness that renders you incapable of communicating. The good > part about India is of as a former jewel in the Empire crown, many folks in > the larger cities will speak English as a matter of course. > > In large measure, you simply need to be more cautious than the average bear > in dealing with diseases and such overseas; which tablets you can take and > which not; and so on. It is all, however, very manageable. > > Drop me a note after the first of the year and I will fill you in as to how > Egypt went in regards to kidney issues. > > Until then, cheers, Bart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 I was about to venture into an answer for this one, but then I read Bart's answer and I decided I couldn't possibly improve on it : ) I even learned a few things. Thanks Bart. I travelled extensively in the past, but since I've had more active IgAN, I've only been to various countries in Europe, and to the U.S. The USA might be a bit lacking in good coffee and croissants, but I don't think it qualifies as underdeveloped : ) Based on my own experience with vaccinations, I've found that anytime I had any, my serum creatinine jumped up a bit, particular following the tetanus one. Might be just coincidence, I don't know. There's nothing documented about that as far as I know. The newer members might not know that I've long suspected vaccinations. My first blood in the urine was not too long after I had a long series of vaccinations in the military. No proof though. Pierre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2004 Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 Thanks for this post, Bart. It is very informative. beth - if you are visitng major cities like Delhi, Bombay, Bangalore and etc.,, you will have no problem to find a person who speaks English. And there are very good hospitals too. Just find out the major hospitals in the city you are visiting prior to your visit so that it will be very helpful. If you are going on vacation, just make sure of finding the major cities in around the place you are visitng. Aruna --- " Barton K. Hawkins " wrote: > > , > > I have been encouraged by my neph to continue my > vigorous travel schedule, > and have had no trouble receiving the requisite > vaccinations....typhoid, > DPT, Hep a,b, and so forth...indeed, I am spending 3 > weeks traveling all > over Egypt starting in just a few days. Previously > I have traveled all over > the Far East, rich and poor country alike...though > this will be my first of > many visits to Africa. > > A couple things are at issue though: > > 1. As you plan to travel to India, you need to take > into account malaria > prophylaxis....whether you need this in the areas > you're traveling to; which > sets of pills to proactively take; and so forth. > Some of the antimalarials > are contraindicated in those with declining kidney > function. Your neph will > know, and the public health dept where you live can > advise you on travel to > anywhere...what vaccinations; etc. > > 2. You will very much want to take along a > kidney-friendly regimine for > bacterial infection as well as an anti-diarhhea > (sp?) medication (like > Imodium). Again, consult your neph on that, as many > antibiotics are > murderous to already-wounded kidneys, and you want > to take the correct ones. > > 3. Your current pills and potions: you will need > enough of these, of > course, but also copies of your prescriptions in the > event you run out, you > lose your supply, your bags get stolen...you get the > idea. > > 4. TRAVEL INSURANCE. An absolute must, and I don't > mean just for the cost > of the trip....I mean for the cost of putting your > fuzzy self back on an > airplane to be repatriated to a place where decent > medical care exists. It > does in India, but really in fairly large population > centers only. You do > NOT want your kidneys to fail and be stuck > overseas....I mean this one, a > friend injured herself on holiday and had to pay, > upfront, $50,000 to get > herself on an air ambulance back to the US (she > broke her back in Jamaica). > > 5. The Rules. Sounds odd? Well, certain things > overseas you don't want to > eat, drink, or do. Your public health folks can > fill you in, but most of > this surrounds what foods to eat (i.e. no raw ones), > never drinking the > local water supply, only bottled or purified (NOT > even to brush your teeth > with), and as you have kidney troubles you MUST be > religious about following > the guidelines in this regard. The Rules also apply > to malaria and mosquito > management. No joke, you don't want dengue fever > (trust me, I've had it. > Its awful. Brazil, however, was wonderful). > > 6. Painkillers. Be careful here, many of the > 'usual' ones are > harmful...among them ibuprofen and so on. Bring > your own tylenol with you > when you travel. > > 7. Medical care (locally). Be ready to explain in > simple terms your > disease process and the fact that your kidneys are > compromised and why. > This is important...many medications are as I have > said problematic in > people like us. I suggest the equivelant of a medic > alert bracelet or neck > chain, or at the BARE MINIMUM brief your traveling > companions on do's and > don'ts for you medically. In my case I carry a > folder for this right within > my passport; my companions are briefed; and each is > given a list of what > MUST NOT be prescribed. Typically, at least one of > my companions is local, > so we make certain any up-front translation issues > are covered with the > local if (s)he doesn't speak English. The danger > here is of course some > accident or illness that renders you incapable of > communicating. The good > part about India is of as a former jewel in the > Empire crown, many folks in > the larger cities will speak English as a matter of > course. > > In large measure, you simply need to be more > cautious than the average bear > in dealing with diseases and such overseas; which > tablets you can take and > which not; and so on. It is all, however, very > manageable. > > Drop me a note after the first of the year and I > will fill you in as to how > Egypt went in regards to kidney issues. > > Until then, cheers, Bart > > > > Travel question > > > > > > I was told by my neph two years ago that the best > things I could do > for my condition were to 1) maintain my blood > pressure at a > normal/low level and 2) avoid upper respiratory > tract and > gastrointestinal tract infections. I was wondering > if any of you > have done much foreign travel, and if so, did you > have problems in > other (particularly developing) countries? Also, > have you ever been > warned against any vaccinations because of IgA? I'm > traveling to > India next year, and I know there are many > vaccinations recommended- > just wanted other people's perspective on this > issue. > > > > > > > > > > To edit your settings for the group, go to our Yahoo > Group > home page: > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/iga-nephropathy/ > > To unsubcribe via email, > iga-nephropathy-unsubscribe > Visit our companion website at www.igan.ca. The site > is entirely supported > by donations. If you would like to help, go to: > http://www.igan.ca/id62.htm > > Thank you > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2004 Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 Where there are good hospitals, India is as advanced as anywhere in the world in terms of renal care, kidney transplants, dialysis and research. Pierre RE: Travel question > > Thanks for this post, Bart. It is very informative. > > beth - if you are visitng major cities like > Delhi, Bombay, Bangalore and etc.,, you will have no > problem to find a person who speaks English. > And there are very good hospitals too. Just find out > the major hospitals in the city you are visiting prior > to your visit so that it will be very helpful. > > If you are going on vacation, just make sure of > finding the major cities in around the place you are > visitng. > > Aruna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2004 Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 Hi , Bart has given a detailed reply. Take all precautions he has suggested. That said, travellers' diarrhoea (almost sure to happen and can be severe) may be the only health problem normally to be expected while here. Much depends on which places you travel to, stay at, where and what you eat/drink, how you travel etc. You can email me in private (full_life001@...) with your travel plans if you need any specific suggestions (like which hospital to go to in case of a problem etc). regards, full_life > > I'm traveling to India next year, and I know there are many vaccinations recommended- > just wanted other people's perspective on this issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2004 Report Share Posted December 6, 2004 Thanks for all the tips-certainly a lot to think about, but valuable nonetheless. I'm actually going for a wedding, which will be in/near Delhi, though we're planning to travel around while we're there. And the bride has her own medical problems, so hopefully she'll be able to guide me towards reputable medical care. As for the rest, I'll just have to make sure not to get pressured by my Peace Corps buddy into doing things detrminetal to my health! > > , > > I have been encouraged by my neph to continue my vigorous travel schedule, > and have had no trouble receiving the requisite vaccinations....typhoid, > DPT, Hep a,b, and so forth...indeed, I am spending 3 weeks traveling all > over Egypt starting in just a few days. Previously I have traveled all over > the Far East, rich and poor country alike...though this will be my first of > many visits to Africa. > > A couple things are at issue though: > > 1. As you plan to travel to India, you need to take into account malaria > prophylaxis....whether you need this in the areas you're traveling to; which > sets of pills to proactively take; and so forth. Some of the antimalarials > are contraindicated in those with declining kidney function. Your neph will > know, and the public health dept where you live can advise you on travel to > anywhere...what vaccinations; etc. > > 2. You will very much want to take along a kidney-friendly regimine for > bacterial infection as well as an anti-diarhhea (sp?) medication (like > Imodium). Again, consult your neph on that, as many antibiotics are > murderous to already-wounded kidneys, and you want to take the correct ones. > > 3. Your current pills and potions: you will need enough of these, of > course, but also copies of your prescriptions in the event you run out, you > lose your supply, your bags get stolen...you get the idea. > > 4. TRAVEL INSURANCE. An absolute must, and I don't mean just for the cost > of the trip....I mean for the cost of putting your fuzzy self back on an > airplane to be repatriated to a place where decent medical care exists. It > does in India, but really in fairly large population centers only. You do > NOT want your kidneys to fail and be stuck overseas....I mean this one, a > friend injured herself on holiday and had to pay, upfront, $50,000 to get > herself on an air ambulance back to the US (she broke her back in Jamaica). > > 5. The Rules. Sounds odd? Well, certain things overseas you don't want to > eat, drink, or do. Your public health folks can fill you in, but most of > this surrounds what foods to eat (i.e. no raw ones), never drinking the > local water supply, only bottled or purified (NOT even to brush your teeth > with), and as you have kidney troubles you MUST be religious about following > the guidelines in this regard. The Rules also apply to malaria and mosquito > management. No joke, you don't want dengue fever (trust me, I've had it. > Its awful. Brazil, however, was wonderful). > > 6. Painkillers. Be careful here, many of the 'usual' ones are > harmful...among them ibuprofen and so on. Bring your own tylenol with you > when you travel. > > 7. Medical care (locally). Be ready to explain in simple terms your > disease process and the fact that your kidneys are compromised and why. > This is important...many medications are as I have said problematic in > people like us. I suggest the equivelant of a medic alert bracelet or neck > chain, or at the BARE MINIMUM brief your traveling companions on do's and > don'ts for you medically. In my case I carry a folder for this right within > my passport; my companions are briefed; and each is given a list of what > MUST NOT be prescribed. Typically, at least one of my companions is local, > so we make certain any up-front translation issues are covered with the > local if (s)he doesn't speak English. The danger here is of course some > accident or illness that renders you incapable of communicating. The good > part about India is of as a former jewel in the Empire crown, many folks in > the larger cities will speak English as a matter of course. > > In large measure, you simply need to be more cautious than the average bear > in dealing with diseases and such overseas; which tablets you can take and > which not; and so on. It is all, however, very manageable. > > Drop me a note after the first of the year and I will fill you in as to how > Egypt went in regards to kidney issues. > > Until then, cheers, Bart > > > > Travel question > > > > > > I was told by my neph two years ago that the best things I could do > for my condition were to 1) maintain my blood pressure at a > normal/low level and 2) avoid upper respiratory tract and > gastrointestinal tract infections. I was wondering if any of you > have done much foreign travel, and if so, did you have problems in > other (particularly developing) countries? Also, have you ever been > warned against any vaccinations because of IgA? I'm traveling to > India next year, and I know there are many vaccinations recommended- > just wanted other people's perspective on this issue. > > > > > > > > > > To edit your settings for the group, go to our Yahoo Group > home page: > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/iga-nephropathy/ > > To unsubcribe via email, > iga-nephropathy-unsubscribe > Visit our companion website at www.igan.ca. The site is entirely supported > by donations. If you would like to help, go to: > http://www.igan.ca/id62.htm > > Thank you > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2004 Report Share Posted December 6, 2004 And enjoy Egypt! > > , > > I have been encouraged by my neph to continue my vigorous travel schedule, > and have had no trouble receiving the requisite vaccinations....typhoid, > DPT, Hep a,b, and so forth...indeed, I am spending 3 weeks traveling all > over Egypt starting in just a few days. Previously I have traveled all over > the Far East, rich and poor country alike...though this will be my first of > many visits to Africa. > > A couple things are at issue though: > > 1. As you plan to travel to India, you need to take into account malaria > prophylaxis....whether you need this in the areas you're traveling to; which > sets of pills to proactively take; and so forth. Some of the antimalarials > are contraindicated in those with declining kidney function. Your neph will > know, and the public health dept where you live can advise you on travel to > anywhere...what vaccinations; etc. > > 2. You will very much want to take along a kidney-friendly regimine for > bacterial infection as well as an anti-diarhhea (sp?) medication (like > Imodium). Again, consult your neph on that, as many antibiotics are > murderous to already-wounded kidneys, and you want to take the correct ones. > > 3. Your current pills and potions: you will need enough of these, of > course, but also copies of your prescriptions in the event you run out, you > lose your supply, your bags get stolen...you get the idea. > > 4. TRAVEL INSURANCE. An absolute must, and I don't mean just for the cost > of the trip....I mean for the cost of putting your fuzzy self back on an > airplane to be repatriated to a place where decent medical care exists. It > does in India, but really in fairly large population centers only. You do > NOT want your kidneys to fail and be stuck overseas....I mean this one, a > friend injured herself on holiday and had to pay, upfront, $50,000 to get > herself on an air ambulance back to the US (she broke her back in Jamaica). > > 5. The Rules. Sounds odd? Well, certain things overseas you don't want to > eat, drink, or do. Your public health folks can fill you in, but most of > this surrounds what foods to eat (i.e. no raw ones), never drinking the > local water supply, only bottled or purified (NOT even to brush your teeth > with), and as you have kidney troubles you MUST be religious about following > the guidelines in this regard. The Rules also apply to malaria and mosquito > management. No joke, you don't want dengue fever (trust me, I've had it. > Its awful. Brazil, however, was wonderful). > > 6. Painkillers. Be careful here, many of the 'usual' ones are > harmful...among them ibuprofen and so on. Bring your own tylenol with you > when you travel. > > 7. Medical care (locally). Be ready to explain in simple terms your > disease process and the fact that your kidneys are compromised and why. > This is important...many medications are as I have said problematic in > people like us. I suggest the equivelant of a medic alert bracelet or neck > chain, or at the BARE MINIMUM brief your traveling companions on do's and > don'ts for you medically. In my case I carry a folder for this right within > my passport; my companions are briefed; and each is given a list of what > MUST NOT be prescribed. Typically, at least one of my companions is local, > so we make certain any up-front translation issues are covered with the > local if (s)he doesn't speak English. The danger here is of course some > accident or illness that renders you incapable of communicating. The good > part about India is of as a former jewel in the Empire crown, many folks in > the larger cities will speak English as a matter of course. > > In large measure, you simply need to be more cautious than the average bear > in dealing with diseases and such overseas; which tablets you can take and > which not; and so on. It is all, however, very manageable. > > Drop me a note after the first of the year and I will fill you in as to how > Egypt went in regards to kidney issues. > > Until then, cheers, Bart > > > > Travel question > > > > > > I was told by my neph two years ago that the best things I could do > for my condition were to 1) maintain my blood pressure at a > normal/low level and 2) avoid upper respiratory tract and > gastrointestinal tract infections. I was wondering if any of you > have done much foreign travel, and if so, did you have problems in > other (particularly developing) countries? Also, have you ever been > warned against any vaccinations because of IgA? I'm traveling to > India next year, and I know there are many vaccinations recommended- > just wanted other people's perspective on this issue. > > > > > > > > > > To edit your settings for the group, go to our Yahoo Group > home page: > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/iga-nephropathy/ > > To unsubcribe via email, > iga-nephropathy-unsubscribe > Visit our companion website at www.igan.ca. The site is entirely supported > by donations. If you would like to help, go to: > http://www.igan.ca/id62.htm > > Thank you > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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