Booked for a week in Lanzarote starting Tuesday. All this corona virus news is making me nervous. I have RA and take 20mgs of methotrexate a week. Now feeling edgy about flight, that I may end up in lockdown in the hotel if someone has it, the remote possibility of getting it and then falling into the category of "old and ill anyway!" Anyone else in this pickle? I know if we cancel it will be the loss of a break in the sun, the money we paid and, more concerning, the loss of confidence.
Should I travel??: Booked for a week in Lanzarote... - NRAS
Should I travel??
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GinnyE
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Hi Ginny
I honestly feel this is a personal decision as people's attitude towards corona virus is so different. I spoke to a woman I know in the bank the other day who is also going to the Canaries. Her attitude was if the 'big man above' says it's her time then sobeit. She laughed and said she's going. Another woman I know has cancelled her trip and definitely wouldn't travel at this time. There is no answer really. It's a decision which each person has to make themselves. I'm not even going to say what I would do as I don't want to influence anyone's decision. x
Hi Ginny, I too have had this dilemma over the past week. It is a concern but you have to weigh up the risks for you which will be different for the rest of us. I’m on mtx and a biologic but I’m not particularly old. At one point I was going to stay home and the rest of my family go as planned but I flew yesterday and am keeping an eye on what’s happening and being very good about hygiene. There were no cases in this country but there is one today. I knew I would regret not going as it’s something we would only do once (it’s expensive) Only you can make the decision and need to be happy with it either way. Best of luck, it’s difficult 🤗
I’m due to go to Portugal on the 12th - I talked to the nurse the other day, and she said just be sensible - wash hands a lot, use hand gel, avoid touching people (oooeerrrr!) and enjoy your break!
There is always a risk, but it is minimal.
It’s a personal choice but I’ll still be jetting off!
Well I’m coming off my mountain top to come to England and I feel exactly the same! It’s illogical as, if you are sensible, then there’s probably no more risk than going shopping in a big town. We each have to make our own decisions...
I have been speaking with my friends in Tenerife.... luckily quite a way away from where all the Brits are being quarantined on the Costa Adeje & they say everything is carrying on as normal, no shortages except antiseptic wipes...But as they say they wouldn’t buy those anyway.
From what I gather the only chance one will be taking is when you arrive back in the UK and your temperature is up , you might end up being quarantined when you get home.....but at the moment people are being told to go home and stay indoors.
But as they say « you pays your money and you takes your choice »
I would definitely choose the sunshine of the Canaries over the cold, wet and windy conditions we’ve got here......as soon as my bruised back allows me to sit for 41/2 hrs....I will be on that plane to Tenerife....or if that takes too long....I’ll be off to Malaga......only 21/2hr flight🛩
My parents live in Tenerife and if I could, I’d live there too. It’s beautiful and warm. xx
Tough choice,as we have no immune system,we’re more likely to get anything-I would ere on the side of caution.its just a week,stay put.your family would,rightly,be cross if you risked your health for a week in the sun.
What makes you think we have « No immune system ».
We take drugs to control our immune system.....not to destroy it.
Biologics compromise our immune system, it is suppressed and therefore, not as effective at fighting bugs and viruses. This is clearly indicated in the med leaflets. The same applies to Methotrexate.
Please always take a considered and informed approach.
Yes our immune system is compromised - not destroyed .....unless you are very frail & elderly with other health problems as well as RA I don’t think we should be overly concerned.
I’m sure we are all sensible enough not to behave irresponsibly.
Obviously we must take all the precautions the Health Authorities recommend.....we are maybe at a slightly higher risk of infection than those not on Dmards or Biologics...but as far as I have heard no particular instructions have been issued to our group at this time.
By law PIL leaflets have to point out on all drugs any side effects that have happened in the past....but those side effects don’t happen to everybody.
For me, I am prone to infections and have had Pnuemonia and bronchitis and sinusitis while on biologics and Arabs and I know that for myself, it is an exposure I will try to avoid in every way possible. But not all patients with the biologics and MTX are necessarily as vulnerable or prone to infection such as I have been. I think it would be wise to look at how you’ve personally managed cold and flu season and whether you’ve been prone to respiratory viruses in the past. For me, if/when it reaches my area, I may choose to halt my biologic simply because of my personal risk profile. As mentioned by others, it’s a very personal choice whether to travel or congregate with other strangers.
Sunshine does sound lovely though!
Yes we must all make the decision for ourselves how we deal with this virus ...together with advice from our doctors...not well meaning non medics or the press.
Let’s hope we all manage not to have to deal with any thing nasty, & that the NHS copes !
Experts say your biggest risk of contact is at the airport.
It is a dilemma, I am due to fly UK to USA in March for a 10 day stay with family. No hotels, the only concern is the flight and the airport and transfers... I don't feel inclined to cancel - yet... I am keeping a careful eye on the situation. Also considering dropping my Biologic for a couple of weeks to give my immune system a boost.
Discuss stopping your Biologics with you doctors, The last thing you want when flying to the UK is your immune system thinking it has free rein to start attacking your joints again ...... remember what pain that caused you!
There are no confirmed cases in Lanzarote right now. So it looks pretty safe. That situation changes day by day though. I would not be travelling to ANY location where there has been confirmed person to person transmission. Which is currently happening all over the world. It's happening in the UK.
The UK right now is not a country of 60 million people and only 20 infected people. The virus replicates exponentially. You can see what happened in Italy, over the space of a week. If there's one contagious person that means there are hundreds or even thousands of, possibly asymptomatic but, STILL contagious people walking around. The UK will have thousands of infected people at this time. What are your chances of meeting one? Unknown. There could be 100 in your street or none for a 1000km.
What you do is take the precautions, hand-washing, cover coughs, don't go anywhere where there are large crowds, you increase your risks exponentially.
If you're going to a secluded location to holiday in the sun, I'd go. If its a non-stop tour of beaches, parties, museums, tours, I wouldn't be doing that anywhere right now.
Read some doctors blogs. Read some studies. See what they're thinking. They know what this thing is.
When there is confirmed person to person near me, I'll be staying home. I'm in a position to not have to leave the house for a month, so I'll be doing that. Not everyone is.
Everyone's risk is different. But some are far too blase. Assess your personal risk level. Assess your risk aversion. Take the sensible precautions. And remember that holidays in the sun will always be there, as long as you are.
I'd be most concerned about being caught in a foreign quarantine situation, not able to go home. That's the biggest, most likely, risk you're taking by travelling. Assess how you would cope with that, and make your decision. Either way, wishing you the best. I hope the holiday is possible for you. We all need one!
I have just returned from two weeks in Portugal and having two weeks of temps around 20c has been wonderful medicine. Now back and feeling stiff again..
There was nobody at Gatwick wearing masks both going out and back..
I would just go by latest government advice and follow good hygiene rules and hopefully all will be ok....
Wondering what the point of masks are? I don't believe they protect you at all!
The masks stop YOU from spreading bugs and as soon as you touch the mask it breaks the barrier...
I've heard that masks offer no protection, but if this was the case then why are medical professionals who come into close contact with the virus wearing them. While they may not provide 100% protection they must surely reduce the risk providing the right type of mask is worn and is correctly used.
My sister has been on holiday in Tenerife for three weeks, she has another week to go, she is quite near hotel that has been in news but she is going about as normal and is 75. Today I woke up with a sore throat and cough and I’m in scotland. It’s a personal choice, I’ve not been out much but looking at our miserable weather I’d take a chance and be careful. Also I have a friend who tried to buy sanitiser online, they have either sold out or have put the price way up. It’s a personal choice, I’d go and take extra meds with me. X
My biggest fear would be being trapped abroad & unable to get home.
I am off to Barbados in two weeks I am kitted our with proper masks and hand gel will not taking any chances .
I have been in a dilemma as well but after speaking to my gp he again says hygiene and avoid large groups x
He hotel we go to is small which is good xx
Hope you go my ethos is life is for living
Hope you go and enjoy a wonderful holiday xx
My advice would be just go and enjoy but take extra meds with you incase delay coming home..That's what I will be doing.make sure you have adequate insurance and take prescription with you
I'm ok as on annual infusion but him indoors has many pills ..
I mean, let’s face it. You can’t live your life in isolation due to worry.
Of course you can avoid places where you know there’s a high chance of catching it... but it’s in the UK not lanzarote, so surely you’re safer there!?
As for the plane... well I guess it’s your choice whether you are willing to take that risk for a beautiful sunny holiday - I know I would!! 😬 I imagine they’re probably taking precautions in airports regarding people travelling with flu like symptoms too.
flu is actually more of a worry, but it’s not being posted about in the media and scaring people! The death rate of flu is worse than corona virus...
the problem with corona virus is that it’s so contagious and there is no vaccine yet.
Complete personal choice 🙂 ☀️
I would go and take the chance. You can pick up the virus and get labelled "old and ill" from anywhere. More people die from the flu and you wouldn't cancel a trip because of flu?
Life is full of risks and nasty infections you could pick up.
Go and enjoy your week in the sun and don't even think about it.
Life is short!
I was the same last week..with the dread of being locked down in a hotel. Equally the thought of travelling through a busy airport eg Gatwick and then on a plane whose cleanliness would be questionable
So we opted to rebook the flights firt later this year. It was annoying at first, but very glad now.
We flew out to Lanzarote on Sunday and it is wonderful. My joints feel so much better already! My main worry was getting caught by quarantine so brought plenty of extra meds and books. To be honest if someone says I have to stay here for an extra 3 weeks I won’t be complaining!!!
Just hope all the pilots and cabin crew across the world (and airport workers) keep well too 😳.
I,m going to Malaga next week. My main concern is the airport and the plane. Looked forward to this holiday for so long & don’t want to cancel but I am taking lots of extra tablets just in case we are quarantined there.
I've recently returned from Benidorm and will be flying to the Costa del sol next week. I will take extra meds (metoject/hydroxychloroqine) hand gel/wipes and enjoy every minute in the sun 🌞 Each to their own 😊
Hi Ginny, yes I'm going to Nerja at the end of this month, and have had it booked before corona virus started. Yes if we cancel we have a lot to loose, but what the hell we are going unless told otherwise. I'm going to ignore the fact that the virus is about and enjoy my time in the sun. Don't forget the virus is in Great Britain, but we carry on, do basic hygiene, so carry on doing this abroad. Crack on enjoy your time in the sun.
I'm in France at the moment and thinking about driving back to the UK to avoid airports, public transport, flying etc.
The purpose of limiting close contact with others is not only to protect ourselves but also to prevent the spread to others. So the decision to fly aboard is personal, but needs to also (more critically) consider the potential risks to others.
To my mind, avoiding all close contact with others for a few months, even if it does result in a financial loss, is the most responsible action to take. I believe National Health England have just issued guidance to over 60s to stay away from all crowded places.
Please listen to Dr John Campbell on you tube for factual advice and information.
And take care.
L
I personally wouldn't travel as methotrexate lowers you're immune system but I'm just paranoid about everything 🙈
I'm not far behind you, but in this particular case I think your paranoia may have some justification.
I would go - I have heart, lung and OA awaiting my 4th scan for a shadow on both lungs - Buy hey you can catch in a lot of countries. Lanzarote is a clean island - I stayed in Matagorda a quieter part, ..
I can't give advice I am not a doctor but I would go - In fact flue IMO is just as dangerous - A lockdown can happen but Lanzarote is tiny. Wash hands with antiseptic after touching while out, showers to get rid of any air pollution,,, I am not saying go, just what I would do - Lovely island and visit the volcanoes - The virus won't live in that...
Hi I my RA nurse said the same as Jen95 I am currently if a cruise in the Carrabean. With plenty of wipes
If you decide to go make sure you take extra drugs just in case. I'd be taking at least a months worth. I'd also, if you haven't already, get a medical letter from your doctor which days what drugs your on.
I always think plan for the worst. Then at least your prepared whatever.
So many responses! I don't think I'm alone in wondering about this. At the moment we had a secret ballot... 60/40 in favour of staying put! And we both voted the same! Unheard of. I'm thinking at the moment that if I'm going to be nervous all the time it takes the pleasure out of it anyway. I know my other half wont want me to be nagging him all the time to wipe down surfaces etc etc. But I have packed the cases, had my nails done and a (streaky) fake tan.
No time to get a medical letter but would take a couple if weeks extra meds... just typing that makes me think to help with it, I'll stay at home. It's only a week in Lazarote.
If you dont have a doctor's letter I'd take prescription sheets or any other evidence of your meds with you.
My main worry would be been stuck without meds. I'd think you would need some kind of proof to be able to buy more if you get stuck??
WHO just raised the pandemic alert to highest level.
Totally agree its a personal decision. Im double transplant and bioligoc meds so decided last week to see a friend abroad pre hospital on 26th.i planned another break post hospital&just playing things by ear. I brought a mask with me, didnt use it comimg out, but used lots vasaline for lips and nose. If u go, enjoy it, you can get it anywhere it seems, so its everyone's own decision to make x
Well all I can say is my immune system is in my boots and has been for a number of years. I’m booked to go for two weeks to the USA in May and I’m blowed if I’m not going virus or no virus. You can only take precautions which you normally would when travelling I’m going to ask my GP for some emergency antibiotics just in case (which isn’t unusual for me). Everyone must make their own mind up about travel but I’d take extra meds and go.
GinnyE. I would rather be safe than sorry you can pick it up on the plane someone travelling may have early stages by the time you all get there the germ could be round everyone people with serious illness could take it worst than other and you don't know what lasting effects you could be left with 10 years ago I caught a flu virus and it took me 18 months to get properly back on a feet I took Gidean Barri Syndum G B S look it up on the internet it will give you the meaning of it and how it effects people So think carefully before you go
I am on Tacrolimus and steroids i have booked to go to Australia via Singapore. Its not until May, my nurse did say my immunity will be low. Not sure what to do either!
I think i will leave it another week and then cancel, i am getting too stressed about it!
I also wanted to go abroad , but scared about my health, my husband and my son don't want me to go, so I said to the people who were talking me to take my name is the list. It is scary, only in the UK it is rising.
Hope none of us RA suffers catch it......, With all the meditation we are all on it will be impossible to serviev
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