Traveling to Greece with decompensated cirrhosis

[Ladypinkdoor]

As a post script to some previous posts - we did in fact go to Greece at the end of June.

He had his paracentesis just before we left but rapidly had a lot of pain, mainly in the stomach.

He was determined to travel so off we went.

We assumed the pain was a result of the drain but it got worse when eating and after a few days in Greece he started passing blood. I took him to (mad) A&E in Greece and he was admitted. That was quite an experience I can tell you. Greek hospitals require you to stay the night to care for your patient! I was way too exhausted to do so and it turned out to be unnecessary in the end (but he said there was an occasional late night party in his ward - strange - and plenty of extra snoring).

The treatment was generally very brusque and even brutal - but he was diagnosed wih a ruptured stomach ulcer ( caused by the cirrhosis) which I believe they cauterised duting an endoscopy. He had nil by mouth for 5 days - just a saline and a glucose drip - plus blood. It seemed to work but they would not let me in for ward rounds so it was hard to glean any information. No water, not even a sip was allowed!

On leaving I was asked to give blood - to recompense for the amount used for him. I couldn’t as I’m on blood pressure medication so they asked if someone in my village could help. I will ask around I guess! They are seriouly lacking in blood suppilies in Greece so this is normal practice apparently. In the end I’d say treatment was good but very different to the NHS.

His ascites stayed stable until he got out when it then increased a lot, as well as bad edema. The hot weather didn’t help - but all in all I would say the hoilday (despite 5 days in hospital) did him good.

Paracentesis is very necessary now as he looks ready to pop!

Anyway, one couple’s experience of 3 weeks in Greece with decompensated liver disease and ascites, for what it’s worth. Hard work but it was worth it is my verdict.

PS All medical care was given under the GHIC arrangement.

[Benwillfred]

Have they talked to your husband about TIPS ??? I had her procedure done just over a week ago and I feel so much better !!!!

[Ladypinkdoor in reply to Benwillfred]

Unfortunately he can’t have TIPS as he had HE in the past - so it’s not an option.

[Benwillfred in reply to Ladypinkdoor]

I'm sorry.

[Glorydays2]

Ladypinkdoor, thank you for your update of your experience with holidaying with decompensated liver disease. My husband was insisting that he was fine to fly with decompensated liver & ascites . He is having a paracentesis every 14 days. His specialist nurses told him that it would be very dangerous to do so because of the risk of internal bleeding, lack of oxygen etc and I was terribly concerned about him spending a prolonged period in a foreign hospital understanding or not understanding what was happening. We didn't go.

We had a short break instead about an hour away 2 days after his paracentesis and the first night his drain started to leak! I did the best I could to stop it that night but ended up driving past home to a&e to get it sorted. This leak happened on & off for 5 days until his specialists nurses could get him in to a day care unit to glue it.

Just out of interest were you able to get holiday insurance for his condition?

Wishing you & hubby well.

[Ladypinkdoor]

We were able to get insurance, but it was expensive !