Mech valves & long term travel

[LaughClown]

Hey, long time no post! I'm coming up on my two year valve anniversary in a couple weeks, and everything has been smooth and easy for the most part.
I have a question about travel, both related to coumadin as well as all of the issues related to having a mech valve. Is it possible for someone in my position to travel for longer periods of time? Im talking months (study abroads run about 3 months) or longer. I dont have a hometester, but I am trying to acquire one. I have student insurance and if they ok it, they'll pay half.
I would love to travel while Im young and single, but also I'm hoping to work abroad as well once I get my degree. Am I going to be sequestered to bigger cities in more developed countries for the longer periods of time? What do you think the realistic limits are?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[KristyW]

It's a tough one Clown (I don't know what elst to call you )

I think that travel abroad is not a problem, BUT if I were you, I wouldn't do it without my own testing unit. That way there's really no "extra" costs. This is one of those cases where it shouldn't be a problem WITH proper planning and preparation. (Have enough strips, extra batteries, enough medication for the entire trip?, an emergency contingency?)

Good luck and have fun!

 

[ChouDoufu]

where are you planning on going? even if you're going to third world developing
countries (like france) there's a wide range of medical services available. you could
live in a bronze-age village only one hour by bus to a city with world class facilities.
plus some of the developing countries whose standard health system is poor to
mediocre are building extensive medical tourism networks.

 

[sue943]

France is a third world developing country? I wonder if they know that.

 

[ChouDoufu]

"France is a third world developing country?"

have you ever had their beer?

 

[LaughClown]

I would love to go to France actually (I have taken quite a few french classes) but with how the euro exchange rate to the US dollar I may have to wait awhile. I would really like to travel to places like India, Singapore, etc as well as Africa (many African countries speak french as well). I will be graduating in city planning and my ultimate hope is to work with developing countries build healthier, more environmentally friendly cities and towns. So places like South Africa that have modern city centers would probably be a better idea. Is it the opinion then, that as long as Im reasonably close, say within an hour or so, to proper medical facilities and I have enough meds and a home tester it could be done?

 

[Jkm7]

Some very excellent heart surgery is being done in India. Many folks travel there to have their surgeries and I've read of good results.

Were it me, I most certainly would travel to whichever area where I have an interest and make immediate connection with doctors there. Once you are their patient, you can get whatever help you need. They certainly can prescribe warfarin and test you periodically to be certain your home test machine remains accurate. Anyone with ongoing medical needs, should have a doctor they can reach in half a day or less IMO

 

[Blanche]

Study, prepare to be your own "doctor."

Study, prepare to be your own "doctor."

In addition to securing your own tester and strips, for your own safety and well being, you must become well versed and knowledgable in the area of anticoagulation.

I would suggest that you read, read, read, and read extensively about Coumadin, anticoagulation, vitamin K, INR, and therapeutic range, etc.
In effect, you will want to be your own expert on anticoagulation. You may well find yourself in a situation where a doctor is not available or the available doctor is not expert in anticoagulation. You will have to know what needs to be done in different situations so you can be confident that the correct steps are being taken. and, if they are not taken, you must be equipped to make your own decision about what is to be done.

Recently, Albert's INR was 9.0+ with a blood draw. It was 7.5+ with a finger stick. In other words, his INR was higher than the tests could register. Three different doctors gave him three different sets of instructions on how to handle this. One said he should go to emergency room and get a blood transfusion and stop Coumadin for 5 days. The next doctor said he should stop Coumadin for three days and test again. The last doctor said he should take Vitamin K for three days and stop Coumadin for three days, resume regular dose and test in a week.

If this happened to you, what would you do?

If you would like some suggestions about reading materials, I'd be glad to suggest some placed to start the research.

Kind regards,
Blanche