Myasthenia Gravis Support Group
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating muscle weakness and fatiguability. The hallmark of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that increases during periods of activity and improves after periods of rest. Although myasthenia gravis may affect any voluntary muscle, muscles that control eye and eyelid movement, facial expression, and...
Has any one taken a trip to any place that took over 6 hours of flying time? Like to Italy or Japan?
If so what did you need to do before you left?
Thanks
Chuck
If so what did you need to do before you left?
Thanks
Chuck
With MG I would say you would want to have any meds with you and before a trip maybe a session of IVIG before I left (if you use IVIG) I certainly would check with my insurance policy to see what oversees coverage for emergency events is. If there is no coverage I would look into purchasing travel insurance that covers emergency medical events. Check with your airline to see what help they can offer in flexibility of scheduling your return flight should a change need to be made. This might also fall under your travel / trip insurance.
With MG I would also want to have a somewhat detailed letter with me from my doctor that would describe to an overseas doctor what your condition is and what are the treatments and medications that you are currently using. You also would want to make sure that you have your doctors email and phone number in case of emergency.
It is a bit more work, but well worth it when traveling overseas, especially to a different culture and medical system.
Safe travels
Joe
(... great advice, Joe ...)
I'm with Joe: one of the bigger problems might be?
If you needed medical-care, while overseas?
Your health-insurance will probably not be honored.
And you might not receive any reimbursement - when you got home.
A few years back, in Montreal: I developed MG-related breathing-problems. And spent about 10-hours in the ER of the Mont Royal Hospital (the Royal Victoria).
This was when my MG symptoms - were milder than today.
When I was being discharged, the bill was $550 US, cash on the barrel-head. At home? I bet the bill - would have easily been $5500! (... but covered by insurance ...)
The Montreal ER doctor - was in charge of collecting - and had a portable credit-card-machine, strapped right to her belt!
We paid with a credit card - and were delighted, when we got home? BC/BS reimbursed us, in full!
I suppose they were glad to pay $550 - versus $5500!
- Ross