Planning a trip with kidney disease can take a bit of extra prep 
What are your “must-do” things before travelling? 
Insurance is a must if going abroad, If the premium is too much ,do not go. Medical and repatriation costs can bankrupt you. Best wishes B
2 Likes
I have a trip aboard booked, thankfully still not quite at dialysis otherwise I’d probably not do the journey until I am a bit further along.
I appreciate that kidney charities are there to help organise dialysis abroad, but personally, I’d probably not at the moment as I don’t feel mentally ready for that.
However, insurance is an absolute must, but only if travelling abroad, but be prepared for a cost that is probably 5-10 times more than you’d expect to pay if not ill (depending on your circumstances)
My insurance for an upcoming week in mainland Spain is about £150 more than I have paid in the past, but I am stage 5 now.
Equally importantly, ensure you have your EHIC or GHIC card.
I’d also probably check out what medical facilities are near to where you are staying, just in case, so at least you are prepared, which is relevant to home travel or abroad.
Talk to your GP or consultant that you’re ok to travel too, ensuring you’re not declining too much.
Medication, take it in your carry on and make sure you have extra than needed for the time away, just in case.
1 Like
As well as others have said re insurance always ensure you take extra medication not just enough for the duration in case of delays in transport etc plus I always take a copy of my latest prescription as a back up for overseas also check you are allowed to take it into the relevant country as some have specific laws against certain but with a letter from your Dr or consultant this should be Ok .
1 Like
Hi just wanting to join slimming world with stage 4 kidney disease would this be okay. Thankyou
Hi Rosie,
We’d suggest you either speak to your GP or kidney specialist about this. Always good to be on the safe side with a lifestyle change like this. Good luck with it all. Beccy 
As above, it’s important to check, as whilst maintaining a good weight and losing weight if needed, it should be done carefully and ask to see a dietician from your consultant.
Slimming world may have targets that are not sensible or realistic if not checked into beforehand.
good luck with it though, I have lost about 10kg in the past year, so slow and steady is good as it’s keeping it off, but that was through diet and walking a heck of a lot
I was diagnosed with stage 3 a week before I went to Crete. We go to Crete every year in May and always have insurance . My dr told me to inform my holiday insurers . Last year it was £120 for both me and my husband . This year I was quoted £361 ! They only asked if I was on dialysis - no and was I awaiting a transplant- no . So why it was so expensive I don’t know . We went with a different insurer recommended by kidney research.
Because they can. There’s no more risk of you are diagnosed compared with if you’re not
You are right, there isn’t. However, as with any insurance, it’s there to cover costs.
If you aren’t ill with CKD, for instance, then the risk of you needing treatment or needing airlifting home is minimal.
If you are stage 5, there is a chance you could be taken ill, needing serious operations or emergency travel home, hence an increased risk and therefore an increase insurance premium.
I agree with your principle, but insurance is there as a risk cover. And yes, insurance companies do increase their premiums on ALL insurance every year for almost everything it seems, but then they also have to cover those of us who are affected by the irresponsible number who drive without insurance, for instance.
So, if I didn’t tell the insurer I had CKD stage 5, then get ill on holiday and collapse needing treatment because of whatever, then I’d be left on my own to sort that out.
Many of us don’t claim on our car insurance for year after year, but we still pay it.