I am off to the Far East in December and am looking for any advice with regard travelling with RA.

Vaccinations are being done, letter for customs re methoject. Worried re tummy problems which I get on and off.

[Hidden]

Hello BOB here

Depending on where you are going , do you need Malaria medications ?. check the Methojet will be ok as your immune system may be a little low because of the Methojet, The medication for malaria also reduces the white blood cells.

Drink plenty of beer and have a brandy at night, that will stop jippy tummy, the beer is more pure than the tap water so that looks after thirst. Drink tea rather than coffee, drink it black, the tea contains tanins that cleans the water this also prevents jippy tummies.

If you get a choice of buffet food or waiter service, take waiter service. Buffet food could have been sitting there for most of afternoon before you choose. Nothing wrong with fruit as you most probably eat the stuff from where you are visiting at home.

Make sure that the buffet breakfast meats and cheese are not sweating always lift at least two top slices before you choose. Simple

Over the years I have travelled many miles in the middle East, and Far EAST, from Syria to Peking overland, not bragging all I am saying take little precautions and enjoy yourself, pick up your brandy at the airport duty free.

Enjoy your holiday

BOB .

[Scottishlad in reply to Hidden]

My only concern about this post is the advice about beer and brandy. Anyone on methotrexate should severely limit or avoid alcohol because of the potential liver problems on Methotrexate. Probably a reasonable suggestion on any other medication however.

[Hidden in reply to Scottishlad]

Thanks for that... I don't drink much, due to the methotrexate, so I will be careful!

[Hidden]

Thanks so much. We are going to Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. Have been told we don't need malaria jabs for areas we are going.

Thanks for the other advice!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hello Bob here

Enjoy

All the best

BOB

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for that Bob!

[shasmac]

I'm off to Goa in 4 weeks and fairly burlin with excitement. I thought long and hard about going as I had been very ill with a major flare-up in April/May/June and was worried that I'd never be able to move/walk again but I have been lucky that I have responded well to MTX etc.

Now I think that I don't know how much longer I will be able to go gadding about on adventures so I'm going for it.

I've always considered myself lucky as I've never had any issues with the dreaded Delhi belly but I always put that down to my 'amazing' immune system which is unfortunately gone now.

My tips would be ...hand gel...use it obsessively and don't be embarrassed about it. Wipe all cutlery prior to use, check the seal on purchased water bottles, toilet hygiene, again, to an obsessive degree (handles, taps etc). Try to stick to hot, freshly cooked food and don't be misled into thinking somewhere that looks clean for tourists is always the safest place to eat, look for somewhere busy with a fast turn around in the kitchen. Avon (green) skin so soft body oil with a spray of high deet content anti mossie spray.

I just needed a typhoid booster this year but GP won't prescribe my usual anti malarial Malarone due to my current medicinal cocktail and referred me to discuss this with a pharmacist in a travel clinic.

But most of all...enjoy!

Shaaron, x

[Someonesmother]

I went to Thailand earlier this year, my brother has lived there for about 15 years. Drink only bottled water and only clean your teeth with bottled water too, don't open your mouth in the shower either, never drink any thing unless the seal is unbroken. Do take a very very good insect repellant as Thailand does have a major problem with dengue fever and malaria. I lathered myself a few times a day especially in the mozzie times of early morning and late afternoon evening and had no problems. I also suggest not drinking any milk as I did one day in my cuppa and got a dodgy tummy so drank black tea after that. It will be very very hot so make sure you always carry lots and lots of water with you wherever you go to keep your fluids up as you can dehydrate really quickly without noticing. and above all have an absolutely fantastic time

[allanah]

Hand gel and lots of high factor suncream! U get more sun sensitive on a lot of RA drugs so you have to be even more careful in the sun, cover up as much as possible.

Also make sure you take your meds in the tablet box, if you are taking strong pain meds or have injections take a letter from your GP so say what they are. I have been stopped once with my morphine but luckily had a letter on me and the tablets with my name on the box so it wasn't an issue.

[Wolfdancer]

@ Shasmac I fell in love with Goa a few years back and found the temp and everything else was wonderful for my RA. I walked for miles but as soon as I got back to good old blighty IT let me have it with both barrels lol. I also ate in some of the beach shacks with no ill effects. Take water sterilising tablets with you and ONLY drink bottled (check the seal) water. Enjoy Goa, I stay in Candolim...........love the place.

@ Adelaide, the places that you are going to should be fine, I never had any problems in Singapore AT ALL. Thailand and Malaysia I would still be concerned about water and food hygiene, don't touch salad/raw veg etc unless you have washed it yourself and only use bottled water inc for washing your teeth....... unless of course you take water sterilising tbs with you.