Hi everyone. I’m having a pretty rubbish time. We flew to Cyprus a week past Saturday for 10 nights. I’ve been in bed since last Wednesday with somewhat odd symptoms. Tight chest very hot shooting pains everywhere & headache from hell. Stomach seemed upset too. Oh & palpitations. I ignored the tight chest as thought that was maybe dust so increased my inhalers. Fostair & Salbutamol. I have Asthma & mild Bronchiectasis I. was exhausted with no energy. By Saturday I felt a bit better but my chest was getting worse so I went to the local hospital to get checked. They did bloods & gave me IV Painkillers for some reason. I told them no but they insisted. Then they did an x Ray to check my heart apparently which they said was clear. I’m guessing that shows lungs too. Bloods were ok too.
Last night I started coughing badly which is a lot worse today so started my Doxycycline rescue pack as I’m convinced it’s an infection. We are due to fly home on Wednesday. What do I do? I won’t have enough Epilepsy meds or T3 either apart from anything else. Thanks in advance.
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Otto11
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Thanks. I’m frightened they won’t let me fly. Also worried for others. I look & feel so ill I’m immunosuppressed on Biologics for RA & fairly sure I should be getting IV antibiotics but hubby dosnt want me to go back to hospital.
Why doesn’t he want you to go back? I haven’t visited Cyprus but believe its healthcare is very good. If you feel really ill you need to be in hospital. You don’t want this turning into pneumonia or sepsis. They’ll have epilepsy meds etc
He needs to go back to work. I’ve been in hospital here before for a severe kidney infection. In the general hospital it’s extremely basic but I got the antibiotics I needed. I got a bit of a shock. Plus only 1 cup of tea a day at 6am. Family bring in your meals. I kept calling hubby for a Costa & a blueberry Muffin 😀. The private hospitals will be different but were full last time I needed to go so ended up at the general again. I went there on Saturday & it was dreadful. Verging on abuse.The dr didn’t even let me list my symptoms I got about 2mins of her time. She said we need bloods. Someone came grabbed my arm & I expected a needle. I couldn’t understand why it was hurting so much then I looked & realised it was a cannula. No one else spoke to me but then I felt fluid & noticed a drip behind me. I had no idea what it was so asked & was told Paracetamol. No one told me I was having it. Then they came with ECG & 2 men just pulled my top up roughly. No communication at all. I too just want to get home will call 111 & see if I can get an appointment at urgent care on Thursday. I’ve been in hospital twice with Pneumonia & had every antibiotic going. 🤞I may not need to call them by Thursday.
can only say when we have been in similar situation we went to private GP they issued prescription for antibiotics and other meds that were on the copy of the uk prescription we took with us. They can issue them if you do stay and run out of any.
I’m lucky to get that from my GP tbh. I know people on here often say 2 weeks worth. I will ask for more once home 🤞As I don’t have a Respiratory team anymore GP has no one for advice.
Hi Otto, the satellite images show dust all over the southeastern Mediterranean. Since you already have an ongoing problem, the coughing is probably even worse due to the irritating pm2.5 and pm10 particles. Drink lots of fluids, good luck
I think you should try and see another doctor, This chest infection could cause you other problems.
Do you not have a tour rep that can advise. Some hotels have local doctors who can see you in your room.
Or can you call your medical insurance provider for advice on where you can get the medication you need abroad.
Can the Embassy not help.
Or alternatively, I know you don’t want to cut your holiday short but it can’t be much fun when you are so sick. Could you possibly fly home earlier and try and claim some money back due to ill health.
Bless you. We are due to fly home tomorrow anyway. I just wasn’t sure if they may turn me away at the airport as I look like death warmed up. Also don’t want to infect others. I wondered what others had done in similar circumstances. We have a holiday home here & went to the general hospital on Saturday who said not an infection but I wasn’t coughing then just other symptoms. It’s probably a virus 🤷🏻♀️
some airlines will refuse to carry someone who is very obviously unwell for obvious reasons. If you are actually struggling to breathe it might be unwise due to lower oxi in flight. not knowing your history its best you make the decision. I hope you not too bad and can get home and deal with the problem, from experience I know is horrid to get sick when away
Thanks. This is what I’m worrying about. I have assistance booked anyway as my mobility is very poor. Both Asthma & Bronchiectasis are mild so not generally too much problem breathing. I’m immunosuppressed & have Epilepsy. I just don’t want any questions. I’m hoping I make it home so can checked out there.
Oh sorry I mis- read when you was coming home. Good your coming home tomorrow. Drink plenty of fluids, and continue with analgesics. Probably a virus as you say but please get checked when you are back.
The symptoms you have could be a wide range of different illnesses.
Legionnaires is caught by breathing in tiny droplets of bacteria in infected water or soil, Its possible, but would be more so, if you were accommodated , in an hotel but you are not. ( air conditioning, ice in drinks, hot tubs).
It’s probably a virus/ flu and could easily have been caught on the flight over.
You also traveled from a cold temperature In England to a warmer climate in Cyprus. The air quality is different as well.
Please try not to worry, but if it makes you feel better, think about going back to the hospital in Cyprus this evening. if only to put your mind at rest, and to see if you’re fit to fly.
I know you said you had done a covid test but when I was working in the hospital , we were told covid sometimes does not show up on tests until day 5 or 6.
Thanks. I did 3 Covid tests last week then the hospital did one before we were allowed in. All negative but admittedly only day 3. Who knows what it is. Symptoms keep changing 🤷🏻♀️going in circles.
Hey, I started my steroids predisilone the other day from my rescue pack as I knew I was going down hill. Yes I had pains in my chest and sore. Blinding headache and guess what it is a virus - as my asthma nurse said she had a few with my symptoms. The hospital have done the tests so sit back and relax as best as you can. Anxiety is no friend to those with bad chests. I have had loads of chest xrays clear yet I have been struggling to breath.
As long as you are in posession of your inhalers and meds try and relax. You can always return to the hospital and remember make the call if your struggling. It will not help when you are abroad but they have asthmatics all over.
Hi Otto, I really hope you're feeling better today whether you're flying back or still in Cyprus. I feel for you, It's awful when a holiday turns into a nightmare. I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis in late 2019 and haven't been abroad since then mainly due to Covid concerns - I still wear a mask in busy public places. I'm hoping to go to a wedding in Cyprus in June and I'm a bit apprehensive about the whole trip - I hope you don't mind me asking but which hospital was it where you had such a miserable experience? You said the private hospital was full but have you ever found a private doctor/hospital who have been good for chest conditions in Cyprus - would be good to know. Best wishes and get better soon. Ann x
Hi thanks for your reply. It was Paphos General Hospital I went to. I’ve been an inpatient there on the past & it’s very basic but I received IV antibiotics I needed. Which area are you going to? The private hospitals most have an array of specialists but I’ve no idea which would be best for lung conditions. It’s something I really should look into. The private hospitals are Evangelismos & Iasis plus a few smaller ones. Google them they will tell you which specialties they have. We flew back last night no idea how I managed but I did. Still in bed feeling like s__t. Take care xx
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