Hi got stage 4 endo colon obstructed MRI & sigmoidoscopy awaits I have 3 week trek to Everest base camp in April any advice on flying/travel

[WendyO]

[Impatient]

I'd be very surprised if you managed to get travel insurance to cover you if you already know you are awaiting a surgical procedure - so that would be the 1st issue.

If you do have travel insurance, you need to call them and discuss this with them.

They may decide you are uninsurable - in which case that answers your dilema right away.

I certainly wouldn't travel to Nepal without comprehensive insurance or recommend anyone else to do that either. The availability of medical facilities is going to be very basic outside of Katmandu, and any illness or injury will probably require an air evacuation to the city - so opting to travel without insurance would be really asking for trouble.

If the insurance company are happy for you to travel, the next step is to check with the airlines medical offices - most of the major airlines have a dedicated team (phone numbers are often on their websites) where in confidence you can discuss any medical issues that might be an issue in getting permission to fly. For example if you have recently undergone any surgerical proceedures before flying - you definitely need to inform the airline and check that you will be okay to fly. They can also give you advice on how to stay healthy travelling.

If you are likely to be prone to DVT or even swollen ankles- then surgical socks or stockings worn during the flights to get there, are a must have..and keep them on for a day or two after arrival. They will keep the puffy fluid build up in feet and ankles to a minimum - rather helpful if you have to squish feet and thick woolly socks in to climbing or hiking boots.

Another thing to think of and prepare for is that long flights can dehydrate you, and so can sweating while on long strenuous walks - and that can cause constipation issues...on the flip side of that - foreign foods you are not used to can cause the runs, so it would be wise to take meds with you for both eventualities. If there is a colon obstruction and it hasn't been surgically removed by then.... keeping bowels moving is going to be fairly critical to avoid a bunged up predicament in a remote location where help and meds are not readily available...and certainly not likely to be any decent western loos to hand either. They tend to have the asian squat pot loos in Nepal. Toilet paper can be a bit scarce to find too.

It is definitely something you need to do a decent preparation for. Either because you manage to get surgery before you go - or because you haven't yet had the op when you do set off.

Hope all goes well and you have a fab trip. It's an awesome country to visit.

[WendyO in reply to Impatient]

Morning thank you so much for your message I think deep down I know I am not up to it and my concerns were over the diet and the lack of medical assistance in near proximity as I would have been travelling with a group I was also worried about the impact on them too. I will contact the insurance company thank you once again x

[soph86]

Hi I also have stage 4endo n hax a sigmoidoscopy.they found the endo had gone through my bowel so I will need some of my bowel remove as well as my endo n overies. In regards to ur travelling id say listen to ur body

U know how painful things can get. I ona bad day can barely move. Make sure u have lots of painkillers. They r my best buddy at the mo .x

[WendyO in reply to soph86]

Hi to you, thank you for your message I have my sigmoidoscopy on Christmas Eve. I think you are right at this time just walking around our local park causes me pain I know deep down that I am not in a good state to go but so sad as been saving up for over two years

Have you received a date for your surgery yet, I hope everything goes well for you -it is horrible waiting. I have been following the endo diet and I have found a huge relief in my indigestion and wind by cutting out the recommended food and drink x

[soph86 in reply to WendyO]

I really feel for you hun, this really does take a hold of your everyday life, i hope that u are able to go..... even if not this year. Put your health first . I have a son with adhd and autism its been so tough as he needs routine n planning ahead but with this pain it can come on anytime so thngs have been hard. No date as of yet,i see my consultant on monday,i have been taking hormone tablets and he wants to check on me,i then have tk see the bowel dr who will be operating along side my consultant.... i had my first proceedure in july where they found things were worse than they thought. Now i need op on bowel. Hoping to have op in feb.have they done mri scan for u ?xx

[WendyO in reply to soph86]

Hi to you, you must be finding the going very tough having to take care of your son as well as coping with this horrible illness, you have had a long wait since July bless! Waiting for a date for the MRI and am seeing consultant on 16 jan so at least I will know exactly what is going on down there - fingers crossed x

[soph86 in reply to WendyO]

Iv had nothing but delays for various reasons,i wa hoping to have op soon after i ha my mri but they found that the endo had penetrated the bowel so need that sorted a wl a my major surgery(consultants words)thinking about what us women have to put up with.....we still try n get through things even on bad days,we dont give up we plod on.i was told i need to have a bag after some of my bowel gets taken away and theirs a chance i may need it permanently . I was so gutted as im only 27 and alreafy having overy and endo sorted it been a bloody hard year,have you been in a lot of pain for long?xxx