Travelling With A Transplanted Kidney

[geoff65]

Hi All

I am wondering if any members or their friends have done any travel to Thailand before with a transplanted kidney?

I basically wanting to know if they became ill at all for some reason,did they run out of medication and had to get more,if so how they went about it, what or things to avoid(as in foods or may be places like a zoo that I could get infections).

How you went with carrying all your medications through customs.

What I am concerned about is leaving Thailand as I will need to take the medication while I fly home and I don't want to bring 15 boxes of pill on carry on  luggage just to get one out of each box, I have a plastic medication holder which I use just for day/night travel and holds all that I need but because their all out of their packets im worried I might get pulled aside and questioned about why their not in the original packets.

I would love to here any other experience regarding this topic.

Thanks.

[impulse]

Before her transplant, I had my Chinese GF visit Bumrungrad hospital's kidney ward to get her registered with a patient ID and to have a look at the facilities, just in case.  The cost was pretty much zero, and she had the ID in case she needed to get to the hospital in any emergency.  And the system has her medical history so they don't need to waste time.  Since the transplant, she travels around Thailand without any special steps.

 

I have never had an issue in customs with my meds (lots of them after a 4x bypass surgery in Thailand).  All the same, I keep the labels from the meds even when I bin the ridiculous amount of packaging to save room in my bags.  All of my meds are available in Thailand with no prescription, which is a pleasant change from "back home" where getting a $10 prescription must be preceded by a $200 doctor visit that may take all afternoon depending on logistics.

 

Bring a list of all your meds in case you need to buy them, for any reason.  Include the generic name and you'll be able to find most of them OTC.  Keep a photo of the prescriptions on your smartphone, on the extremely unlikely chance you'll get checked at customs.  It has never happened to me in 30+ flights into and out of Thailand, but it's so easy to be ready for it.

 

Then quit worrying and enjoy your time in Thailand.  

 

Edited September 3, 2018 by impulse

[Guderian]

Just carry a copy of the original prescription in the extremely unlikely event you're stopped by Customs. I've been living here 14 years bringing 6 to 10 months of prescription medicines with me from the UK each time I go back and I have never been stopped at the airports in BKK. For traveling stick what medicines you need plus enough reserve to make you feel comfortable in a Ziploc bag and use those during the journey. I only put cheap medicines, like atenolol or allopurinol, in the suitcases, everything else is in my hand baggage. Thailand is pretty good in terms of the availability of medicines, basic stuff like I already mentioned is available over the counter, but things like steroids and immunosuppresants will need a local doctor's prescription if you run out. Easy to get though. Not all immunosuppresants are approved for use in Thailand, though, so if you're really concerned you may run out then let us know what you use and maybe somebody can tell you if it's available here or would have to be imported, probably via a hospital.

 

As far as avoiding infections goes, it's just common sense. I'd avoid eating off food carts or in very cheap restaurants, anywhere that the hygiene looks like it might be suspect. If you're going to partake of the famous nightlife, then practise safe sex. Only drink bottled water, etc., etc.

 

Enjoy your trip.

[AsiaHand]

Having been involved with both present and past family members with kidney transplants I can relate to your fears.First with the anti rejection drugs that are present in her body she will be very subject to catching to many  as her immune systems are lowered. Traveling in an area that has bacterial infections that may put her body in danger is not a good idea.In the 1950s  a life span of 8 years was reachable.In the 1980s transplant my cousin lived 18  1/2 years today your lady has a great chance for a much longer life but with cautions. Good Health to her . 

[geoff65]

Thanks for your reply’s, I have been to Thailand while I was on PD it was a pain in the butt doing manual bag exchangers every 4 hours but I did get to see and travel abit with the help of a Ute carrying all my boxes so hopefully this trip will be hassle free. This trip is only short one of 20 days.the pic attached is what I’m worried about when I go to leave Thailand going threw the X-ray as I’m sure they will se it.

Also what class if any does Amitriptyline come under.

[Sheryl]

Amitryptilline s a regular class "D' drug in Thailand, can be bought without prescription.

 

You are allowed to bring in 30 days supply of medications for personal use when you come.  They should be in labelled bottles and best to have a doctor's letter with you stating what you are on and why (this is advisable anyhow in case you need medical care while in Thailand). Nothing further is required unless any of the meds are narcotics. (In that case, a permit is needed).

 

I do not think you will have any problem re small quantity of meds in plastic pill holder, many people travel with those and in a worse case scenario (likely only if they for some reason think you are suspicious) you will have the doctor's note and in your checked baggage the boxes the pills came from.

 

I go in and out all the time and always have plastic pill container in my carry on.

 

 

 

[geoff65]

Thanks that makes me feel better and yes all boxes of meds in my case will be in original packets with my name and do have medication paperwork with me as well.

[OzMan]

My daughter received my kidney not long ago and doctors expect it to last about 15 to 20 years. Ironically it is the anti rejection drugs that will kill it. In Australia the waiting period for a new kidney, once the existing one has failed, is about four years. What is the story about getting a new kidney in Thailand or Asia when the time comes? How available are they and how much?

[widarp]

You cant buy a kidney in Thailand anymore,

but you may get a cadaver one via the Red Cross if you qualify.

My wife just got one that way and we did the transplant at a private hospital.

Waiting time was 8 months.

 

[geoff65]

1 hour ago, widarp said:

You cant buy a kidney in Thailand anymore,

but you may get a cadaver one via the Red Cross if you qualify.

My wife just got one that way and we did the transplant at a private hospital.

Waiting time was 8 months.

 

I don’t need a new kidney I have already had a transplant some months back. 

[Sheryl]

My daughter received my kidney not long ago and doctors expect it to last about 15 to 20 years. Ironically it is the anti rejection drugs that will kill it. In Australia the waiting period for a new kidney, once the existing one has failed, is about four years. What is the story about getting a new kidney in Thailand or Asia when the time comes? How available are they and how much?

In Thailand:

More people needing them than there are donors. As in other countries there is a transplant wait list which is prioritized.

Procedure and after care will be very expensive.

Only family members allowed to be live donors.

Much better done in your home country if you have access to free or subsidized health care there.

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[OzMan]

On 9/4/2018 at 3:23 PM, Sheryl said:

In Thailand:

More people needing them than there are donors. As in other countries there is a transplant wait list which is prioritized.

Procedure and after care will be very expensive.

Only family members allowed to be live donors.

Much better done in your home country if you have access to free or subsidized health care there.

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

I agree that in Australia a kidney donor does not cost much money in the public hospital system. When my daughter's new kidney dies after 15 to 20 years, caused ironically by the anti-rejection drugs, she will need another kidney. To get on the Australian kidney waiting list you must already be on dialysis and there is about a 4 year. There is a black market in Asia for kidneys but am not sure how to find out. 4 years on dialysis for a young person is a long time. If I can buy a new kidney for her I will. Please do not tell me that this is illegal. Prostitution is as well in Thailand and I do not find many members complaining about that activity.

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, OzMan said:

I agree that in Australia a kidney donor does not cost much money in the public hospital system. When my daughter's new kidney dies after 15 to 20 years, caused ironically by the anti-rejection drugs, she will need another kidney. To get on the Australian kidney waiting list you must already be on dialysis and there is about a 4 year. There is a black market in Asia for kidneys but am not sure how to find out. 4 years on dialysis for a young person is a long time. If I can buy a new kidney for her I will. Please do not tell me that this is illegal. Prostitution is as well in Thailand and I do not find many members complaining about that activity.

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No please let us get back on the OP's topic