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Crohn's: Seeking advice re. malaria and travel insurance

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 8/25/2010 8:02 PM (GMT 0)

Evening All, Well don't know about anyone else, but I am glad that my work day is behind me. I have been stressing out all day, which of course I should know better than to do, as it's just upsetting my insides. Any hoo, not really what I wanted to say, but needed to moan. Has anyone any advice on Malaria tablets? Any issues with them clashing with Asacol or causing a flare up. Any good/cheaps ones? I think I have narrowed it down to a choice of two either Doxycycline or Malarone, but not sure if these will be right for me. Also, does anyone know of a good travel insurance company.?

Any advice appreciated.

Posted 8/25/2010 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
Doxycycline seems to increase the chances of getting Crohn's, so it can't be good: http://m.medlineplus.gov/mlp/main/rw/web/news/fullstory_102455.htm
Posted 8/25/2010 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I like travelex but most trip insurance companies require you to purchase upon booking/deposit or prior to final payment.  There are great web sites that compare many companies - look for an AAA rated company.  Have fun!  Barb

http://www.tripinsurancestore.com/

Posted 8/25/2010 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks GrumpyGI.  Should have mentioned in post ... UK insurance company.

Thank you njmom this was the one i was favouring as well, the nurse advised me that due to the antibiotics in it, this may well help.  So confused.  Has anyone used either of the meds I mention, as I dont want to get ill on holiday?

Thank you turn      

Posted 8/25/2010 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
There are quite a few anti-malarial drugs, so you will have to find one that doesn't make Crohn's worse.  I don't have Crohn's but I've had malaria so I do have a little advice about taking meds, etc.  When you find the drug that will work for you (and will not clash with other meds), you should start taking it before you leave on your trip.  This is for the drug to get into your system.  The instructions will probably tell you to begin about 2 weeks before leaving.  Anti-malarial drugs will often cause nausea, dizziness and/or headaches, so it's better to take the pills with food.  I was on aralen but the once a week pill gave me all those effects, so I was given the same dosage split into two pills and I had no effects.  I took them on a Tuesday morning and then Friday afternoon.  Don't stop taking the pills or you will risk getting malaria, which is how I got sick.  If the area you are visiting is an active area (for malaria), use a net over the bed for sleeping.  Just follow the instructions you'll get with the drug and advice from the area you're going to as well as the CDC.  Good luck.
Posted 8/26/2010 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
Blue:  Are you sure you will need antimalaria meds?  Check with your travel agent or primary care doc (or someone with international knowledge/recommendations) and check to see if you are traveling to a country/site that would require such treatments.  Would make this whole issue a lot easier!  And if you need antimalaria meds, you might also need other immunizations.  In the United States there are travel/immunization and medication treatment protocols that are available to guide would be travelers. Might also consider pre-notifying your consulate just so that someone knows your itinerary and where to look for you if issues arise!    Barb
Posted 8/26/2010 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
I use travel direct in the UK, they are reasonable £150 to cover on an annual policy inc Worldwide
Posted 8/26/2010 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
I am not sure about anti-malarial drugs, but my husband and I traveled to India during the monsoon season, and mosquitoes are a big problem, and malaria is endemic to India as well. We considered it, but we didn't put him on any anti-malarial medication. We got a good treated mosquito net, and ultrathon (a long acting mosquito repellent), and that did do the trick. However, we were staying at my parents house which is sprayed for mosquitoes and the neighborhood is also sprayed weekly, so we knew our risk was small.

The mosquito netting is a good idea though. If you are going to a place endemic with mosquitoes, good netting, treated with anti-malarial stuff is a must I think.

PV
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