Want to have a Holiday abroad on Warfarin..Want to cruise from UK to Med or Norway but worried. Any advice

[Shirlgal]

I wont go until AF stabilised with a new drug?..what drugs works best for you?

As not had a holiday as really worried about being away from home ...am I being silly

[dedeottie]

Flecanide 100mg x2 with1.2 mg bisoprolol works well for me. So well I forget I have it so would definitely go on holiday. To be honest I would go even if the drugs didn't work. As long as you have insurance.x

[Hidden]

When I had AF, Propafenone worked for me (150mg twice a day as I recall). Flecainide gave me palpitations. We all different I'm afraid so need to get the right one for you.

Koll

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Shirlgal

OK travelling with warfarin is not really a problem at all, but knowing what cocktail of drugs will suit you is a really difficult question because we are all so different.

It really depends on what symptoms, and other factors you have and only really your cardio/EP will know that. Also please bear in mind that it can take a few weeks to get used to any new drugs, you have to give them time for your body to get used to them.

Having said that, personally unless I had debilitating episodes, I'd go anyway. The holiday will make you relax and get away from things, and you can cope with the odd bad day with the AF.

But agree with others get insurance before you go

Good luck

Ian

[Shirlgal in reply to Beancounter]

Thanks Ian . It sounds sense to me. Will wait to see what new drugs will be and as you say give a few weeks to see what effects will be. Thanks

[forestoke]

Hi , I would wait till the drugs are spot on and it takes a few weeks to settle as Bean counter explained , all bodies and drugs are different and the consultants are good at their job.

I have bisoprolol and lasartan and warfarin at 2.3 mmg daily and I go away try to relax which I'm not good at .

INSURANCE is a big must , I had a problem in Dubai and an attack and I had to pay for the 999 ambulance before I could get moved and then the hospital stay was £4000+ and well big story short I did get it all back, never expected to as I didn't get the hospital to call the insurance help line, well as if I would remember literally out for count on a trolley !!!

[CDreamer]

Cruise ships do have their own medical unit on board but my experience was that they are expensive and that some insurance policies do not cover you for medical attention costs on board. Just make sure you read the small print on both the policy and cruise ship as they vary considerably. The only difference seems to be cost wise that if you are on Warfarin then you have to declare that you use 'blood thinners' which require blood testing ie Warfarin then costs automatically shoot up. I cannot make out why as I am on one of the new anticoagulants and that question is not even asked.

I have never not travelled anywhere because of the AF, sorry that's wrong, I wouldn't go to the Antartic when my husband wanted to, that just seemed a wee bit too far from help and support! I took the view that if I have an episode I know what to do, which is take it easy, yogic breathing, calm thoughts etc and I could do that anywhere, so that is what I do, just didn't want to be that cold.

I hope that helps and that you enjoy a really fabulous time so that you don't even remember the AF, which is the best treatment! x

Ps apologies for double negative.

[mumknowsbest Volunteer]

I would go as already said, unless your AF is totally debilitating . I went to New Zealand and strangely didn't have one bad session while I was there although at home they were awful.

Good luck and don't let it rule your life,

Eileen

[Hidden]

Yes, sure, once your drug regime is stabilised, why not have a break? I am grateful to know that cruise ship medical cover may not be covered by insurance, that's definitely something to ask about. I went to South Korea with AF (didn't declare it at customs, naughty me), didn't have an episode. I think it likes being on holiday and just relaxes, along with me. Hopefully will do the same for you!

Lis

[meadfoot]

There is nothing silly about it. You need to feel safe and the best way is to be stabilised on the correct meds regime tailored to you and then give yourself time to gain confidence again.

I have cruised many times whilst an AF sufferer and not had an episode. Now though my symptoms are so severe during an AF attack that I could not possibly risk it as I need hospital admission, treatment and chemical cardioversion every time.

Choose a large new cruise ship with good medical facilities. Check it out first so you feel safe and if your AF episode symptoms are mild then they should be able to manage you on board if you needed assistance. Remember that if they feel people need more than they can give they will send you to hospital at the next port of call.

Have you considered a land based holiday abroad until you feel settled.

Whatever you decide excellent insurance is key whether you are on ship or land. My cousin needed medical care on board the QE2 and it cost her a fortune and it was only diagnosed (wrongly) as a virus.

Be safe, be well and be happy. Enjoy your holiday. Life must go on.

Dee.

[Dodie117]

Most EU countries have beautiful places to visit, excellent medical facilities and your e111 (or whatever it's now called) will ensure you are covered.

A coaguchek machine gives peace of mind as you can check INR. Enjoy!

[Hidden]

Just make sure you are covered for AF and obviously say if you are on a cruise ship. I have cruised very many times with the condition and only once went into AF on the final leg coming back through Biscay!! It was actually quite a calm crossing. I made myself relax with gentle breathing in my cabin and just ventured out for dinner. I went back into NSR after about 40 hours is after we retd to UK. I have my next cruise booked for May. My husband will not agree to fly with me as he says the adrenalin rush for me will set me off! He is probably right. I am sure that the docs on cruise ships are used to dealing with AF episodes. Once you are sorted with your meds go and book your holiday and enjoy it whilst you can. Sandra

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

No problem at all getting insurance cover for a cruise,by the way!