Carrying on my saga, I had an ultrasound which found that my heart is enlarged (yes, we know that) and the EF is 40-45. In 2019 it was 55-60. The cardiologist says that is the stress of the lung infection. But the general consultant wants to treat it as heart failure (also because of the water retention) and start me on all sorts of meds. She agrees that I can wait and see my UK cardiologist on my return but if I have a relapse I cant be admitted back to the hospital as I have refused treatment! She also wants daily potassium checks until I see him. Todays was 3.5. But she is balancing a load of diuretics with 5 potassium tablets daily. I am losing about a kilo of fluid a day and she would keep me in ideally for another 6 days.
Help! My instinct is to leave when she says the pneumonia is under control and deal with rest in UK.
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Barb1
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Very difficult choice for you, especially when 2 consultants are involved. What does the cardiologist say about treating as if HF?
I think firstly I’d check the statement that you couldn’t be admitted back to hospital because you refused treatment - is there the equivalent of a Patient Liaison service you could contact in the hospital?
What about your travel insurance - is there anyone you could contact for advice on travel? You need to be careful you don’t contravene medical advice about travel that may negate your travel insurance.
Bearing in mind that you would have a long flight home I think I would want to be reassured that I was stable before attempting travel but completely resonate with wanting to leave ASAP!
Lot to think about - some deep breaths & double check all the information.
I agree with CD that were you to refuse treatment then your travel insurance would be invalidated. Difficult call but you can always stop treatment later.
Please don’t contemplate a Long Haul flight home until you are well enough recovered & your Consultant gives you the go ahead . Flying puts such a strain on your physiology , that many people don’t realise .
It sounds as if you are in significant CHF. The pneumonia certainly makes things worse, but is unlikely the primary cause. If you are diuresing a kilo a day and needing large amounts of potassium to maintain 3.5, I would certainly wait until this stabilizes until considering a long plane flight. Your EF is significantly degraded. Lower O2 levels at 35000 feet will exacerbate your condition. The actual cause of the CHF seems to be yet determined. Sorry for the long analysis, but I think it would be prudent for things to stabilize and an etiology to be determined before the trip. Just my 2 cents.. Best of luck ethereal
Hi and I wish you well. I don't have any answers except to say my chf started from an overactive thyroid after 30 years of it being underactive. I was on too much meds and had thyroid storm, I think it was called. I am hoping you feel much better and are able to figure this all out. Wish I had more to offer but sending some prayers too.
Surely your travel insurers are involved and getting updates on a daily basis. They have their own doctors, so why not contact them and get their advice.
It was my understanding that if you have been in hospital overseas you need a fit to fly certificate for the airline. In the event that you were taken ill on the flight home and the plane needed to divert, then your insurers would be expected to pay the costs involved. If you were going against medical advice, then they would not pay, leaving you with a huge bill.
All the more reason for contacting them, because they need to be sure that you are fit to fly. It is not a decision you should be making on your own.
Good luck with it all and best wishes fir a speedy recovery.
So in 2017 I got pneumonia out of the blue while abroad, nearly killed me and it took me 2 weeks before I could travel. It turned all my lungs white and a month after I got back had my first attack of SVT. My advice, treat this with respect, rest until you are ready to travel, don't ignore the medical advice. My wife took too long to call the ambulance, the damage it did ruined my life for a while.
There is zero chance that l would travel with your condition. My advice would be to STAY PUT until all of your serious conditions are totally resolved. Travel is difficult these days if one is in perfect health … your ambition is courageous but not very smart. Best, Jan
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