I’m scheduled to endure a colonoscopy on 16th January. We are booked on a flight to Thailand on 1st February (14 hours) . Guidelines say two weeks should pass before flight so in theory ok. However this is a trip of a lifetime for us, much delayed and all booked before this cancer worry. I’ve no idea if they will find polyps or do a biopsy or if it will make me feel worse. My question is should I delay the procedure until we return late February or go and hope the procedure doesn’t add to my malaise and ruin the trip?
Cancer was first flagged last February so I’m doubting if another few weeks will make any difference and the gastroscopy and hystoscopy found nothing major and certainly not cancer, all thoughts and comments welcome thank you.
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Stills
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"Because there is a small risk of bleeding for up to two weeks after a polyp is removed, please inform your doctor if you plan to travel by air after your procedure. We discourage booking an international flight within two weeks after your colonoscopy due to the small chance that a large polyp is removed and your doctor recommends cancelling the flight."
The sensible thing to me seems to discuss it with the doctors beforehand so they know what is hanging on what they decide to do at the time. If they were to find something nasty - would you go to Thailand anyway?
There are also the implications for your insurance - and those are there whether you have that colonoscopy or not. I assume you took out comprehensive insurance when you booked it, long before the cancer concept appeared on the scene? If you are on the cancer pathway - have you told the insurance company? They may well decline to cover you for anything that might be cancer related, My daughter, a specialist endoscopy nurse, says your insurance should cover for cancellation PROVIDED you declared everything to them at the time - chronic illness, procedures awaited, ongoing symptoms being investigated and so on. Now, you should have been keeping your insurance company up to date on what is happening because although the need for the procedure only just developed, that does not mean that the results of the procedure are ignored. And choosing to delay the investigation doesn't alter that - if you were to travel knowing there was a chance of cancer they could still refuse to cover you for any repercussions from that - far more expensive than cancelling your trip. The best result you could hope for is the colonoscopy shows it is NOT cancer or any other nasty - and you will be told that on the day. If they remove polyps and send them for biopsy they are unlikely to have results of that for several weeks, or any other routine biopsies. If they don't think it is cancer they will tell you on the day and tell you if you are fit to fly relating to the colonoscopy. But the insurance company may demand a fit to fly certificate - that may also involve your GP or rheumatologist to relate to all other conditions, the endoscopist can only say about the colonoscopy procedure.
You MUST contact your insurance company and find out what their position is on the whole thing or you could find yourself in Thailand with a stomach upset nothing to do with the colonosopy or whatever is wrong with you but the insurance will refuse cover for the return flight or whatever. Whether you have the procedure or not - that is essential. Because even the postponing it leaves you open to the insurance company and its rules. If you have it and nothing is found - that will be fine, you should be able to travel with full cover. If you don't clarify it with the insurance - you could end up in a finacial nightmare either way.
Very good points indeed, we do have comprehensive cover but open to question by the sound of it and no we haven’t told them as currently I have no diagnosis to give them. From what you say we must seriously reconsider out position now as even postponing it won’t solve the problem from what you’ve told me. Dare I say the word bum**r springs to mind😝
Does rather. But as I say - providing they don't find anything at colonoscopy, you will probably be able to travel with cover. If not, your insurance should cover last minute cancellation - and postponement to a later date. But you MUST speak to the insurance company - they are laws unto themselves!!!!
I’m worried now but as nothing has been found so far except diverticulitis and womb calcification snd the BP thing I’m hoping the colonoscopy finds nothing too and that it’s all Stills disease related which no Dr wants to consider. In fact they smirk when I suggest it.
Well…..we obviously can only say what we’d do.If you cancel you will have to explain why to your travel insurance company….& you might chance not being able to get re-insurance at a reasonable price.
From what you say, if a recent hysteroscopy didn’t show anything to worry about ….it doesn’t look too likely you need immediate surgery does it? I’d tell your doctor your plans & ask to delay the colonoscopy until after the trip…..let the medic make the decision …it’s doubtful they would refuse that advice.
Hope it all works out, & that you have a wonderful time.
Do go & look at the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok. Bet you are surprised!!
Personally, Imo, I think you will be fine. Just be certain to talk to your doctor regarding your plans. You might also want to tell him if there is a reason to do surgery, besides normal polyp removals, that a better day and time would be best. For your typical polyps removal, you should be fine to travel! Do contact your doc on the next business day to voice your concerns. Good Luck and GOD Bless you!
I have had a few colonoscopies throughout the years and I don’t see the need to postpone your trip (which is happening more than two weeks later). I was fine the next day. It is the prep that is the toughest. After the procedure, you are fine. Enjoy your trip! I am so jealous. It sounds amazing! If you are worried, ask your doctor.
I’m confused! You have 16 days between colonoscopy and flying ..over 2 weeks!
Regardless, I’ve never heard of the two weeks, only 24 hours. I’ve had three colonoscopy’s, 2 took biopsies and polyps.
If this is your first you maybe overthinking it. It’s uncomfortable but otherwise not a big deal. You can opt for light sedation, again nominal, just relaxes/chills you out. You should have a lift home.
It’s something that done all day long, everyday, no need to worry about, really.
The info pack they sent states clearly that if they remove polyps or other procedures long flights may not be recommended by Dr for 14 days thereafter and if that’s the case insurance may be invalidated.
My flight is one day after that period so I’m just being cautious and seeking advice in order not to invalidate my insurance, health or travel.
Other posts also suggest I shouldn’t have a problem and hopefully I won’t . I appreciate this is a mundane event that happens all the time but my first and I certainly don’t want to end up any more unwell than I currently am on a long holiday in another continent hence my cautious checking.
I shall explain to the clinician on the day, thanks again.
The colonoscopy is on 16th Jan and we fly 1st February so it’s ok and thanks to everyone here I have a plan and as you say it’s odds on nothing will need doing after all they’ve scoped for cancer all over and it’s not there apart from the blood tests which could be wrong .
Good day from Thailand, good wishes times ahead, I read you have the best of very best advice and guidance....... Hope all goes well and are able to enjoy your trip....We have 36°C today....beginning to cool off as it is 16.30 .....the sea water very nice and comfortable at the seaside where we live on the China sea on the way to Cambodian border!
I had one December 2022, and was absolutely fine and had a polyp removed the size of a pea. I'm told that it takes up to10 years for one to become cancerous. Quite interesting watching it done, with a bit of gas and air around the bends.
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