Travel plans and an unexpected flare

[whiteflag]

I'm seeking some answers to a particular question and am wondering if you would provide your input.

It hypothetical, but it serves to know what people would do in case this came up for anyone.

The scenario is the following: you were fine, fit and healthy (but you're RRMS and were in remission), then you had a full-blown flare a month ago, and now you're getting better but still have a little weakness and a little balance problems and you are working on correcting that. You have a travel plan scheduled for a week from today which you're wondering whether it would be a good idea to go ahead and travel or cancel your plans. The trip will involve no physical activity as such but will involve some walking.

Do you go ahead, or do you cancel?

Would your decision change if the travel was to an exotic but third-world country?

I'm in this scenario so I'd appreciate your input.
Thanks.

[Lyon]

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[fee001]

Hi!


Go ahead and enjoy, forget everything ms leave that baggage at home, take it as time out.

Fiona

[civickiller]

i would go while you can, i live with the idea you may never be able to do it again
and dont worry because the stress is worse

[mrbarlow]

Im in a similar situation as I work in the Middle East but regularly fly back to Europe. In addition I work in many remote locations.

When I travel / am away I carry supplements which I beleive help moderate relapses.

Vitamin D - enough to take 40,000IU a day for several days
Inosine - equivalent to 2grams a day for 7 days
plus usual pot of mutlivits, omega 3, B Complex &B12, zinc and magnesium

[Apuman]

I'll full-heartedly agree with all of the advice above, and I would like to add that an exotic-third world country would not make me less inclined to go. I had my first major relapse while in Peru, and my experience dealing with the medical system here was not a bad one. It actually seemed better than many of the stories I've read of people in th US, Canada, or Europe going through the diagnosis stage.

Just know that most travel insurance companies won't cover you, as MS is a pre-existing condition. Check with your health insurance company to find out details in the case that you would need treatment.

[surfbird]

I would definitely go! Don't let MS keep you from living your life. Worse case scenario, you have to fly back earlier than you thought, but even if you had a relapse while traveling...maybe you just lay low in the hotel after seeing the doctor. Go, go go!

Regarding travel insurance, I'm in the market too and I found that the World Wide Health International Plan from Travel Guard covers pre-existing conditions, including MS, as long as you're under 70. They said if I had an attack and needed treatment while traveling, it would be covered. I have yet to go through the 9 page terms and conditions document (doing that tonight!) but the representative said my MS is no problemo. Kinda tempting just to travel and keep that instead of my COBRA insurance - it's way cheaper too