Boarding a Ship With a Sick Kid

[mom2brooke76]

Just want to weigh in....a friend's daughter had the same symptoms. Eventually she did allergy testing and she can't eat anything orange. Once that was eliminated, as strange as it sounds, no more issues. So, if you're still trying to get a diagnosis, it might be worth it to ask for allergy testing to be included.

She is allergy tested because she is allergic to a few things (all sunflower products, pretty much any animal and amoxicillin). We keep up with that to see if things change. I would love for her to grow out of food allergies so that she can live a "normal" kid life and not tote epipens everywhere and be able to partake in things like class parties, etc.

 

[mom2brooke76]

Is she doing well in school? Not being picked on or have any issues there? Just wondering because sometimes stomach issues are anxiety based.

Very good question. Actually, yes she has been. She has ADD and Aspergers and has had an IEP since kindergarten. She's on a wonderful combination of non-stimulant ADD medicine along with an anxiety medicine. We moved from Alabama to the Orlando area to live with my boyfriend because the area that we're in have some of the top public schools and she's thriving! She started middle school this year, but has done better than any of us expected and has an amazing group of friends there. She's the smallest, so they all tend to have her back She loves it and hates when she is sick because she misses hanging out with her friends

 

[Iris1974]

I just wanted to also send my best wishes and I hope you have a wonderful cruise. I had many health problems growing up and have a mother like you that will do anything for her child. My sisters are that way and 2 of my sister found out that 2 their sons had gluten and dairy allergies and one had fructose allergies. It manifested itself in one of my nephews as migraines that would last for weeks and abdominal issues. The other nephew with gluten and dairy issues was getting severely depressed at 10 years old. We were all very happy when they found out what was wrong and we could do something about it. Now we have special food dishes for them and homemade desserts at family functions. They are functioning very well now. I hope you get a diagnosis soon and I hope it is something that is manageable and something that will pass with time. Have a fantastic time.

 

[wilkeliza]

Very good question. Actually, yes she has been. She has ADD and Aspergers and has had an IEP since kindergarten. She's on a wonderful combination of non-stimulant ADD medicine along with an anxiety medicine. We moved from Alabama to the Orlando area to live with my boyfriend because the area that we're in have some of the top public schools and she's thriving! She started middle school this year, but has done better than any of us expected and has an amazing group of friends there. She's the smallest, so they all tend to have her back She loves it and hates when she is sick because she misses hanging out with her friends

Sounds like she's had a rough go at being a kid. Glad to hear school is ay least going well for her! Hope they figure it out soon and you guys enjoy your cruise. My stomach issue in college were psychosomatic that's why I broughy it up. After my 3rd trip to the school's doctor they suggested I go see the therapist on staff. I didn't know until then that my crippling episodes of throwing up could have been from depressiom/anxiety, I thought I was just the sickly college kid.

 

[fliterflymama]

My daughter has had CVS since she was 9months old and I believe what you've described is the same thing. Her episodes were 35 days apart, and as she grew older (10 now) were 85 days. We have always tried to plan our vactions around her cycle of episodes. In 2014, she had a horrible episode just days before we sailed on the Wonder. We thought we would have to cancel it. But the mornings of the cruise, she braved it. She was still extremely dizzy but the excessive vomiting had subsided. I was terribly worried that they wouldn't allow her to board if she vomited while waiting to board. I will always remember her wearing my sunglasses indoors before we walked on to the ship.

I have to share with you our success with a daily dose of CoQ10 and B12 vitamins. (I give her Vitafusion gummy ones) Since my daughter started taking these vitamins she has only had 1 episode since 2014. It's amazing! I warn you that cvs is very different for many children and adults and sometimes these vitamins/supplements work. Unfortunately, sometimes they don't. Regardless, I highly recommend that you ask your doctor about the "mito cocktail" and also obtain a letter from your doctor before boarding.

Any questions please feel free to pm me. Our family has struggled many years with this horrible disease. I wish you and your daughter much strength and an enjoyable family vacation.

Anita

 

[perdidobay]

I don't have any advice to add, just wanted to wish you and your DD well, and hope you have a great cruise. I hope she gets a definite diagnosis and improves soon.

 

[Nanaree]

Just wanted to say first, I hope your struggles with her health are rectified soon and you can get to a "normal" life. Second, we leave Sat on Fantasy and learned yesterday that DGD4 has to be on oxygen at night. She's been fighting bronchial inflammation for several weeks now with no symptoms right now. My TA called Disney and was told that they do not need anything from Dr. regarding her being contagious. Just wanted to share even though not the same situation. Also, learned of a company that provides medical supplies for people at sea. This was really helpful since it was so last minute. Best wishes to you and your family! Take care.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Cruise lines take illnesses, especially gastrointestinal illnesses, real or perceived, very seriously. I found out first hand by being subjected to a "physical" at the terminal before being allowed to board a cruise to Alaska. Fortunately, I had a short note from my doctor explaining my persistent cough was not connected to anything contagious and I was allowed to board since I didn't have a fever and wasn't vomiting. Ironically, my cough was completely gone within 48 hours after we sailed.

Now you are getting me concerned, LOL. I have had a cough for about 25 years. They don't know why. They thought it was a deviated septum, but surgery didn't fix it (although it was painful). They think it's mainly allergies (I have a cat, and I am allergic to cats for one thing). I am not convinced of that since I have had the cough longer than the cat.

in any case, it's nothing that is contagious. It's nothing deadly (or at least every known test has failed to turn up anything of consequence). Could I prove that to DCL? Heck, the hospitals can't prove it to me - so I doubt it!

Still, haven't run into trouble yet. It's not usually a hacking cough though. Just a small once in a while cough.

 

[Sir William]

Now you are getting me concerned, LOL. I have had a cough for about 25 years. They don't know why. They thought it was a deviated septum, but surgery didn't fix it (although it was painful). They think it's mainly allergies (I have a cat, and I am allergic to cats for one thing). I am not convinced of that since I have had the cough longer than the cat.

in any case, it's nothing that is contagious. It's nothing deadly (or at least every known test has failed to turn up anything of consequence). Could I prove that to DCL? Heck, the hospitals can't prove it to me - so I doubt it!

Still, haven't run into trouble yet. It's not usually a hacking cough though. Just a small once in a while cough.

Nothing to be worried about, though I can understand your concern. DW is allergic to just about anything with hair or a plant, and she is constantly "clearing her throat" as it were. The cruise lines are more concerned about hacking coughs along with an accompanying fever that could indicate something both serious and contagious. In my case, I had residual coughing fits as a result of bronchitis a few months earlier. I saw my doctor a few days before we left for the cruise and at my request he gave me a letter that explained my cough, his treatment, and, most importantly, that I was not contagious.

As luck would have it, I started coughing just as we were finishing checking in and I soon found myself seated in the "problem" section. A nurse came out and took my temperature and blood pressure, examined my throat, etc. She said I appeared OK but I had to get the doctor's approval. While I was waiting my turn to be examined I saw the doctor tell quite a few people they had the flu and therefore could not board, so I was a bit worried since it appeared they were more likely to refuse me boarding than not. When it was finally my turn I once again I explained my bout of bronchitis and the cough that wouldn't go away. He asked to see my medications, which I showed him along with my doctor's letter. His whole attitude instantly changed and I was allowed to board. He said he had been ready to refuse me boarding until I produced evidence that I was under a doctor's care for the cough and that I had made the effort to get the letter saying I wasn't contagious. He said that when in doubt about a passenger's illness he would always refuse boarding.

While I sat in the holding area I was able to observe things that I hadn't noticed before in my haste to check-in and board. I saw people turned away not only for illness but other reasons as well: lack of documentation (passports, parent authorizations, etc), name discrepancies, and one because all their credit cards were denied. One man refused to let his carry-on be x-rayed or manually inspected so was told he couldn't board. Another couple got into an argument at check-in and were escorted from the terminal. It was an interesting insight into what happens in the terminal on embarkation.

 

[mom2brooke76]

Now you are getting me concerned, LOL. I have had a cough for about 25 years. They don't know why. They thought it was a deviated septum, but surgery didn't fix it (although it was painful). They think it's mainly allergies (I have a cat, and I am allergic to cats for one thing). I am not convinced of that since I have had the cough longer than the cat.

in any case, it's nothing that is contagious. It's nothing deadly (or at least every known test has failed to turn up anything of consequence). Could I prove that to DCL? Heck, the hospitals can't prove it to me - so I doubt it!

Still, haven't run into trouble yet. It's not usually a hacking cough though. Just a small once in a while cough.

You almost sound like my daughter, although she's 11. She has what's called cough variant asthma. It doesn't affect her breathing. Just gives her a nasty cough when she drinks cold stuff, weather significantly changes or she has any illness that causes a cough. She'll develop a cough that's literally a thousand times worse than your average cough. Fortunately it's managed by inhalers. Btw, both she and my boyfriend's son are allergic to cats, and we have cats and control both of their allergies with daily Zyrtec. It's worth a shot. We get the generic brand at Walmart. Fourteen pills for 88 cents.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

You almost sound like my daughter, although she's 11. She has what's called cough variant asthma. It doesn't affect her breathing. Just gives her a nasty cough when she drinks cold stuff, weather significantly changes or she has any illness that causes a cough. She'll develop a cough that's literally a thousand times worse than your average cough. Fortunately it's managed by inhalers. Btw, both she and my boyfriend's son are allergic to cats, and we have cats and control both of their allergies with daily Zyrtec. It's worth a shot. We get the generic brand at Walmart. Fourteen pills for 88 cents.

Oh my gosh! That sounds like exactly what I've got. I have this chronic cough that the doctors don't know what it's all about. I've noticed it mostly when I change environments (coming inside from outside and viceversa). The best answer the doctor could give me was "some sort of asthma". But, when I tell people that, they say "I thought asthma affected your breathing". Like I'm making it all up.

 

[mom2brooke76]

Oh my gosh! That sounds like exactly what I've got. I have this chronic cough that the doctors don't know what it's all about. I've noticed it mostly when I change environments (coming inside from outside and viceversa). The best answer the doctor could give me was "some sort of asthma". But, when I tell people that, they say "I thought asthma affected your breathing". Like I'm making it all up.

So sorry to hear! We've been dealing with this since she was about a year old. No meds, OTC or RX, would work and we'd both stay up all night because of her coughing when she'd have a cold. Finally her doctor suggested inhalers and they worked! I'm not sure if cough variant asthma is just a kid thing or adult thing too. It's a newer diagnosis, although she's 11, so it doesn't seem "newer" LOL

 

[mom2brooke76]

For those with a cough that won't go away, I'd suggest researching cough variant asthma. It was my daughter's diagnosis and inhalers have made all the difference in the world during attacks. In fact, after 10 years, she seems to be having fewer episodes, so maybe it's possible for kids to outgrow it:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/why-your-chronic-cough-may-be-asthma/

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So sorry to hear! We've been dealing with this since she was about a year old. No meds, OTC or RX, would work and we'd both stay up all night because of her coughing when she'd have a cold. Finally her doctor suggested inhalers and they worked! I'm not sure if cough variant asthma is just a kid thing or adult thing too. It's a newer diagnosis, although she's 11, so it doesn't seem "newer" LOL

Well, I tried the inhaler route, also, but it didn't work. I'm just stuck with a chronic cough. I didn't start this until about 2 years ago - so (in my case) definitely an "adult" thing. Only thing that seems to ease it a bit is sipping water, and letting it just trickle down my throat, when I start having a coughing jag.

 

[wilkeliza]

For those with a cough that won't go away, I'd suggest researching cough variant asthma. It was my daughter's diagnosis and inhalers have made all the difference in the world during attacks. In fact, after 10 years, she seems to be having fewer episodes, so maybe it's possible for kids to outgrow it:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/why-your-chronic-cough-may-be-asthma/

I think that is what I had as a kid. I've grown out of it for the most part but had an inhaler as a kid that I hated using.

 

[Currahee]

Thanks! We currently do have Zofran for her which does help during her episodes. Her pediatrician also said not to mention it unless she gets sick. We've been dealing with this for the last 6 months and initially thought it was a stomach bug......until it continued to happen with no other real symptoms. Sometimes it can pass in an hour, others she's been down for days. She's missed school due to being nauseous enough that she couldn't pay attention and we've been to the pediatrician countless times only to be sent to specialists.

Whether your child suffers from cyclic, vomiting, abdominal migraine or psychological vomiting, many respond to low dosage Erythromycin Estolate (EES) which is taken daily. This antibiotic believe or not allowa the peristalsis of the intestines to propel the food forward through the gastrointestinal tract thus preventing vomiting episodes. This low dosage will not cause any long term harm or effect on the immune system since the dosage is not at levels to 'kill' bacteria. EES however is only available by prescription but may be over-the-counter in different countries.
I agree that food allergy testing may be considered to locate the trigger.

Just my 2 cents