Some medical information needed

[TChrist05]

Hello fellow cruisers.....I need a little medical info regarding the ships. My DW and I will be sailing on the 6/2 Wonder to Alaska. This past Saturday I started to have pain in my foot and toe which I thought was the gout. Turns out it was not but a full blown infection. The two doctors who are treating me have prescribed the antibiotics and they seem to be slowly working. Both doctors have advised me that going on the trip may be a mistake--which I kind of expected. My question is that if we do go, and we are leaning toward going right now is are the medical teams equipped if they would have to give me hanging antibiotic.
I do not have trip insurance(and it will be the last cruise we take without it) so I am not looking to get into a debate about trip insurance. Now I really know how important it is.
I know medical on the ship is expensive but sometimes you have very little choice.
Thank you for any information you may have for me.

 

[cris0809]

IV antibiotics are pretty basic and they should be able to administer them.

In the "worth asking" department you might want to see if you can get your doctor to give you the bag ahead of time and you could carry it on with you. You'd have to be in contact with the special needs department to see if this is allowable though.

It might cost you less this way. Best of luck and hope you get better soon.

 

[Muushka]

I feel your pain (almost).

About 1 week prior to my 15 night Wonder cruise on 5/2 I had a medical incident.

I was finally able to go to my regular doc to discuss what happened and whether or not to take the cruise. Now I know why I really like this doc. He ordered a test to be sure everything was all right. And he gave me the go-ahead. But, he told me if I had any problems on the ship whatsoever to have them call him to discuss my case and what to do.

I guess what I'm saying is, if your docs can offer you any support while on the cruise, perhaps give you antibiotics to bring that seem to help you (the ship doesn't carry all types), then and only then, would I go.

But if they don't offer any type of support, I would probably not go on the cruise.

And if they have you sign something stating that you understand the risks, I would definitely not go.

I hope you recover quickly and can go!

 

[Nannabelle]

Remember for the most part you will be pulling into Alaskan ports that all have good medical facilities and you can get emergency treatment at either an ER or a Walk In Clinic and have a doctor take a look at your situation. And while your may be "out of network" your own insurance will pay for treatment in the state of Alaska but likely won't pay while on the ship.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Your health insurance will probably not apply to anything done on the ship.

You don't have trip insurance and it would be hard to get it now to cover a preexisting condition.

If you have the $$ to apply to any medical treatment you may need while aboard, then OK.

But the other thing to remember is that cruise ships do not travel with a fully operational medical facility - it's more like a trauma facility. Anyone who's really sick is going to get airlifted or sent to a hospital in port. At least it's Alaska, if your health insurance covers you in the US then it'll probably work there.

I'm also reading that you had two different doctors tell you that you probably shouldn't take this trip.

 

[TChrist05]

Thanks for many kind responses--I have in my possession 3 different antibiotics that will last me 14 days--enough to get me through the cruise and home. Let me tell you they seem to be working and are definately killing my stomach. My fear was that they would lose their potency and I would need something stronger while on the ship. I would lose a $4000.00 vacation if we do not go--and if it seemed like I was in trouble I would not. However if help would be available on the ship until we got to a port I feel comfortable. I know the risks so I have to make an adult decision. Thanks.

 

[su_A_ve]

Thanks for many kind responses--I have in my possession 3 different antibiotics that will last me 14 days--enough to get me through the cruise and home. Let me tell you they seem to be working and are definately killing my stomach. My fear was that they would lose their potency and I would need something stronger while on the ship. I would lose a $4000.00 vacation if we do not go--and if it seemed like I was in trouble I would not. However if help would be available on the ship until we got to a port I feel comfortable. I know the risks so I have to make an adult decision. Thanks.

You're lucky it's an Alaska trip so your heath insurance should cover you somehow at the ports. Otherwise, your 4K could have been nothing compared to repatriation costs...

In any case OP, hope you do get better and are able to enjoy your trip.

 

[MrsScooby]

Thanks for many kind responses--I have in my possession 3 different antibiotics that will last me 14 days--enough to get me through the cruise and home. Let me tell you they seem to be working and are definately killing my stomach. My fear was that they would lose their potency and I would need something stronger while on the ship. I would lose a $4000.00 vacation if we do not go--and if it seemed like I was in trouble I would not. However if help would be available on the ship until we got to a port I feel comfortable. I know the risks so I have to make an adult decision. Thanks.

Oh antibiotics will do a number on your stomach. There are over the counter probiotics that should help. Of course check with your doctors about using them or ask your pharmacist.

Let us know how it works out.

 

[k3chantal]

Hello fellow cruisers.....I need a little medical info regarding the ships. My DW and I will be sailing on the 6/2 Wonder to Alaska. This past Saturday I started to have pain in my foot and toe which I thought was the gout. Turns out it was not but a full blown infection. The two doctors who are treating me have prescribed the antibiotics and they seem to be slowly working. Both doctors have advised me that going on the trip may be a mistake--which I kind of expected. My question is that if we do go, and we are leaning toward going right now is are the medical teams equipped if they would have to give me hanging antibiotic.
I do not have trip insurance(and it will be the last cruise we take without it) so I am not looking to get into a debate about trip insurance. Now I really know how important it is.
I know medical on the ship is expensive but sometimes you have very little choice.
Thank you for any information you may have for me.

Just wanted to wish you a wonderful trip!

Personally, (if I were in your shoes; I would go)
1. you're on antibiotics.
2. Alaska is part of the United States (so at least you are not out of country)
3. The ship's medical crew should be able to deal with an emergency. On our last cruise, someone did not listen to the scuba diving rules and one of the person's lungs collapsed. He was medi--vac off of the ship. It sounds like you understand that there may be additional costs involved; so you are going in with your eyes open.........
Good luck! I hope you heal fast!

 

[DisneyDudet]

As a medical professional, here is my opinion:

If your antibiotics (I'll abbreviate them to abx) seem to be working now, they should continue to work.

Any prudent physician will not give you a bag of abx to take on a ship. And, most likely, insurance would not cover it. If you don't have an IV access, it is useless. Now, I know you meant that you could go to the medical facility and they would start an IV and give you your bag of abx. Well, it doesn't work that way. If it were me as a nurse or physician on the ship, I would not. I cannot verify what is in that bag, whether it has been stored/handled properly, or anything else in reference to the integrity of the contents. Not to mention their reimbursement practices for this. You may also require more than one dose. Giving only one for one day can do more damage than good. And initiating IV abc therapy is not safe to do outside of a controlled medical environment.

If you end up requiring IV abx, they will most likely get you off the ship. They will be able to stabilize you, and that is it. I don't know if they even carry abx on the ship. If they do, it may not be an appropriate one for your infection.

Long story short, if I were you, if your abx still appear to be working a few days prior to your departure, you should be ok. If you develop chills, fever, worsening pain, discoloration of your foot, etc please call your doctor. They can do IV infusion of antibiotics from home, but that cannot be done likity split. Give yourself time.

As far as your tummy, PLEASE be cautious. Depending on your abx, you could develop an infection in your gut that is highly contagious and damaging (not too common, but it can happen). Take your probiotics (lactinex, culturelle, etc), eat yogurt, drink water, and wash your hands. Take bleach wipes, as this is the only thing that will kill this infection if it gets on surfaces. Loose stools (TMI i know) are common with any abx. Multiple liquid stools a day are not. Moreover, if someone knows you are having these symptoms, they can report you to the medical center and you'll be quarantined in your room

Sorry to be all medical, but infections can be serious. You know your body better than anyone else. If you feel like you are feeling better and the meds are working, you should be ok. Just keep an eye out for worsening of your condition. And take your insurance cards!

Hope you have a great trip despite all this! Sounds like you need a good relaxing time!

 

[sayhello]

Thanks for many kind responses--I have in my possession 3 different antibiotics that will last me 14 days--enough to get me through the cruise and home. Let me tell you they seem to be working and are definately killing my stomach. My fear was that they would lose their potency and I would need something stronger while on the ship. I would lose a $4000.00 vacation if we do not go--and if it seemed like I was in trouble I would not. However if help would be available on the ship until we got to a port I feel comfortable. I know the risks so I have to make an adult decision. Thanks.

Make sure you are taking your antibiotics with food (unless you were specifically told not to). That should *help* with the stomach issues. I've traveled while on antibiotics, and it's been fine since I was well into the treatment. Best of luck, safe travels, and enjoy!

Sayhello

 

[n8nally]

As a medical professional, here is my opinion:

If your antibiotics (I'll abbreviate them to abx) seem to be working now, they should continue to work.

Any prudent physician will not give you a bag of abx to take on a ship. And, most likely, insurance would not cover it. If you don't have an IV access, it is useless. Now, I know you meant that you could go to the medical facility and they would start an IV and give you your bag of abx. Well, it doesn't work that way. If it were me as a nurse or physician on the ship, I would not. I cannot verify what is in that bag, whether it has been stored/handled properly, or anything else in reference to the integrity of the contents. Not to mention their reimbursement practices for this. You may also require more than one dose. Giving only one for one day can do more damage than good. And initiating IV abc therapy is not safe to do outside of a controlled medical environment.

If you end up requiring IV abx, they will most likely get you off the ship. They will be able to stabilize you, and that is it. I don't know if they even carry abx on the ship. If they do, it may not be an appropriate one for your infection.

Long story short, if I were you, if your abx still appear to be working a few days prior to your departure, you should be ok. If you develop chills, fever, worsening pain, discoloration of your foot, etc please call your doctor. They can do IV infusion of antibiotics from home, but that cannot be done likity split. Give yourself time.

As far as your tummy, PLEASE be cautious. Depending on your abx, you could develop an infection in your gut that is highly contagious and damaging (not too common, but it can happen). Take your probiotics (lactinex, culturelle, etc), eat yogurt, drink water, and wash your hands. Take bleach wipes, as this is the only thing that will kill this infection if it gets on surfaces. Loose stools (TMI i know) are common with any abx. Multiple liquid stools a day are not. Moreover, if someone knows you are having these symptoms, they can report you to the medical center and you'll be quarantined in your room

Sorry to be all medical, but infections can be serious. You know your body better than anyone else. If you feel like you are feeling better and the meds are working, you should be ok. Just keep an eye out for worsening of your condition. And take your insurance cards!

Hope you have a great trip despite all this! Sounds like you need a good relaxing time!

I just wanted to say, this is such a great response! You give clear information based on your knowledge and experience, in a very kind, non-threatening way. I appreciate that SO much! Thank you!

 

[SillyInventor]

Please consider the risk you pose to your fellow cruisers when you become contagious. DisneyDudet clearly states this risk in the post above. It would not be nice to make several people sick and spoil their multi thousand dollars vacation if you know you will be a risk.
I really hope for you things will get better and wish you a happy cruise.

 

[DisneyDudet]

I just wanted to say, this is such a great response! You give clear information based on your knowledge and experience, in a very kind, non-threatening way. I appreciate that SO much! Thank you!

I really appreciate the feedback! I love educating people and patients. The more you know, the better decisions you make. Lecturing doesn't equal educating

 

[TChrist05]

Hello all...just a little update. I spent the last 2+ days in the hospital getting the antibiotics....although the medical professionals are not giving their blessing they cannot and would not stand in the way. We leave in the morning for Seattle and the infection is completely under control. I have antibiotics to take by mouth and with God watching over hopefully things work out. Thank you all for the kind words and advice.

 

[MrsScooby]

Hello all...just a little update. I spent the last 2+ days in the hospital getting the antibiotics....although the medical professionals are not giving their blessing they cannot and would not stand in the way. We leave in the morning for Seattle and the infection is completely under control. I have antibiotics to take by mouth and with God watching over hopefully things work out. Thank you all for the kind words and advice.

Best of luck to you !!!
Come back and let us know how it turned out

 

[firecracker725]

Thanks for many kind responses--I have in my possession 3 different antibiotics that will last me 14 days--enough to get me through the cruise and home. Let me tell you they seem to be working and are definately killing my stomach. My fear was that they would lose their potency and I would need something stronger while on the ship. I would lose a $4000.00 vacation if we do not go--and if it seemed like I was in trouble I would not. However if help would be available on the ship until we got to a port I feel comfortable. I know the risks so I have to make an adult decision. Thanks.

Try some probiotics for your stomach troubles. That should help.