Can I go on holiday? Where to start

Going on holiday might feel like it’s more challenging living with kidney disease. Let’s share experiences with each other about planning and holidaying whilst managing kidney disease. No matter what stage you are at, you may have questions or you might have experiences and insights that will really help others.

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I go on holiday for a month at a time. We tour the UK in our VW camper and go from the top of Scotland to the tip of Cornwall, (not in one go!) . For many years we would go abroad for 6 months at a time and spend weeks in India , South East Asia . Latin and South America. Now it is impossible as insurance is unobtainable. even at high premiums, so that put paid to that part of our lives. I do not find CKD particularly restrictive as I am not yet dialysis reliant. but dialysis may restrict our choices and duration. Having an EGFr of 21 focuses my mind on the future a bit, so I was encouraged to see that our local hospital has several mornings a year when concerned people , who can see dialysis in the near future, can attend educational support mornings to dicuss the variuos options available. My wife is particularly interested in the Peritoneal dialysis which can allow for travelling. Does anyone on hereuse this method and could they please comments on their experience. Thanks

Best wishes B

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We were never ones for holidaying abroad but we were assured that it was entirely feasible to book holiday dialysis abroad. That was seven years ago, mind you, and a lot has changed in the world since then. There are cruise ships which cater for dialysis too! We have managed to book holiday dialysis a few times in Hampshire, which has allowed us to visit our daughter and son-in-law for a whole week. Hubby has to be cajoled now to be away from home for more than a few days at a time. Maybe that’s an age thing … :roll_eyes:

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Hi. Can anyone recommend travel insurance. I am stage 5 and on the suspended transplant list but not on dialysis. We plan to travel to Europe by ferry and car going to Belgium, Germany, Austria.

Hello, I am stage 4 and canot get cover anywhere at a cost that is not 4 figures.

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Unfortunate that seems to be the price they are charging. I paid over £800 last year for annual cover but could pay monthly with Staysure. Not had my quote for this year but have looked at other companies and all quoting over £1000. I am stage 5 and on the suspended list for dialysis.

You could try Freedom Insurance I have just found a cheaper quote from them depending on the level of cover you require.

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I’ve been to Mallorca and Madeira in recent years, dialysis at local units whilst there instead of lugging my HHD equipment with me.

In terms of insurance I’ve used all clear in the past and it was about 400£ (i prefer to include waiting list cover since I’m on the transplant list)

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PD travelling is fairly easy, it’s all about logistics as you’ll need to order the supplies about 6-8 was before you go depending on country. I couldn’t be bothered with the wait (i do things more spontaneously!) So I used to chuck all the PD stuff in the car and drive to France with it all so I could go skiing in the Alps etc. Totally possible to get enough stuff in for a week’s worth of dialysis in the car!

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It’s great that you’re able to work and take holidays, despite your reliance on dialysis! Keep it up!! :heart_eyes: Oh, to be young again … :joy:

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Hi everyone I have stage 4 ckd and have travelled abroad 3 or 4 times I’m not on dialysis but 8ve spoken to others who are and places like Spain have good dialysis places.i used all clear insurance and premiums where high but affordable but that was a few years ago as my health has not been great last few years .I also worried about all the medication i had to take with me including liquids in bottles more than the approved amount on the airline.but as long as you have a letter stating all medicines with a doctors stamp and date it’s not a problem you can take them all on the flight with you.hope this helps.have a good day everyone

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Thanks I will take note of that as my wife is badgering me to go to Barcelona.Best wishes B

Glad that helped happy holiday to come xx

I have used Staysure in the past. I have been looking around for new quotes and found Freedom Insurance to be cheaper. I am planning a similar holiday to you, travelling by ferry then through Europe to Austria.
I am stage 5 on the transplant list but not on dialysis. I also have multiple other health issues caused by Lupus.
I hope you can get insurance sorted, its not cheap but I could pay monthly with Staysure.

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