Trip to West Africa

[Beatris03]

Hello everyone! I need your advice please. Has anyone travelled to Africa since diagnosed? I'm planning a trip to Senegal and I need a few vaccines (yellow fever, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, hepatitis A) and also the malaria tablets. Is it too risky for me to travel there and have all these vaccines? I have PBC, stage o, no fibrosis, no symptoms, normal levels serum alkaline phosphatase, serum Alt, serum birilubin... What do you all think? Thank you and best wishes. X

[butterflyEi]

for myself at my age and length of time with PBC I would not want to risk it but I see you are at stage 0 and I wonder if you are a younger person then I would suggest why not, we need to live our lives the best we can, having said that I would also suggest that asking the doctor or a quick phone call for advice from your hepatologist via the secretary would be a good source of advice.

[cazer]

You need to get advice from your doc/consultant...

I would imagine they wouldn't have any issues with it but you need to get proper advice.

Hope you have an amazing time.

[Pamcakes718]

I recently traveled to India and needed a number of vaccines. Of those that you mentioned, I received Hep A and the malaria pills. Before I took them I checked with my hepatologist to make sure they were okay. I suggest you do the same. Happy travels!

[funkyfreester]

Hi,

I have PBC and regularly escape our British winters to travel south east Asia and have had to have several vaccines although not yellow fever as well as taking malaria tabs.

My consultant has given me the ok and knows that I reep the benefits .

Wishing you well on your travels

[JaneIng]

Thanks for asking this question. I need to know too.

How are you diagnosed with PBC if all your blood markers are normal? Are you in any meds?

Thanks,

Jane

[Beatris03 in reply to JaneIng]

Hi Jane! I was diagnosed last year, it was a routine test. In a way I wish I never found out because it caused me so much anxiety and started having panic attacks. I am not taking anything yet, my doctor doesn't want me to start taking urso because my liver looks fine. No fibrosis, had mri scan, ultrasound. My liver looks normal. He's keeping an eye, I have blood test done every 6 months. Turned 40 this year. Hope you're well. X

[JaneIng in reply to Beatris03]

Thanks for the quick response. Which blood serum marker made your doctor say you have PBC?

I have high blood marker of AMA M2 but my ALP, AST, ALT are normal. Billirubin sometimes is a bit over the border but not significant. I saw at least 3 liver doctors and they never diagnosed me with PBC because 10% of people with AMA marker may never develop PBC.

I am glad this is not on my medical record because some travel insurance will not cover preexisting condition.

[Beatris03 in reply to JaneIng]

AMA positive and raised GGT levels. Are you on urso?

[JaneIng]

No, my GGT was normal so I just need to monitor the blood serum every 6 months. I do have digestive issues and itchy skin. Food allergy maybe the trigger for it.

[ninjagirlwebb]

My hepatologist once told me, you should get all your vaccines so the ones you listed would be fine to get. Not sure about the malaria pills but I think no issues as your liver is functioning properly. But check with your doctor as well.

Personally I think you should travel & enjoy yourself & live life the way you want with or without pbc.

I have taken all the shots you listed & the DPT was at my hepatologist’s office. Also he recommends the annual flu shot too.