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Sub-Saharan Africa on Remicade or Humira?


Tue, June 15, 2010 12:00 AM

Hi everyone,


I'm on Remicade, and I'm considering travel to sub-saharan Africa.  My Crohn's is well controlled, and I feel great.  I'm wondering if anyone has any experiences travelling to Africa, and specifically Sub-Saharan Africa, while on Remicade or Humira?  

What did you and your physician talk about in terms of risk?  Did you discuss vaccinations (Yellow Fever is a live vaccine), Malaria, TB?  

Thanks very much,
Michael

FPO gurami
Joined Jun 15, 2010

Tue, August 17, 2010 1:41 PM

 Reply posted for Gurami.

Hi Michael,

Ask your doctor about the risks of getting the vaccine. As far as the risks on travelling to Sub-Saharan Africa, I think the risks are relative. If you follow advice on diet and bottled drinks, probably you can have the same problem wherever you go.

In my case I've travelling to this region 7 times per year for the last 5 years and only had once a flare in Kenya. I was being treated first with antibiotics, as normal, and when there was no response I had to fly back home (Spain).

As an anecdote, I travelled to US on 2009 and had the most serious flare I've ever had.

I think that if you feel good, you get a good insurance, and find the way to get your medication, the rest is just relax, enjoy and hope that nothing happens, because with this disease you never know! In case you get sick, it's not a desired experience but you can always get a flight back home (I did it from NY-Barcelona with 10kg less).

My doubt is about getting your medication there o taking it with you. I just posted one question on it in the forum since I still haven´t found the way to be able to travel as a backpacker with Humira in Africa.

FPO tse
Joined Aug 17, 2010

Sat, June 19, 2010 12:00 AM

 Reply posted for Gurami.

I completely agree with EZ. I am a 23 year old female who has had Ulcerative Colitis since the age of 17 and wanted to go to a 3 countries in South America with my Mom. Since I went a the rain forest in Australia, I was not to disappointed after all my research about how people in my condition, with my medications, cannot get the yellow fever vaccine. I have a very severe case of Ulcerative colitis and am on Remicade, Asacol (800 mg 3 pills 2 times a day), and azathioprine (150 mg). I love to travel but relized my health comes first.

Please note that I am still going on the trip, just not the amazon. You can still goes to places in Australia, just not the middle portion. I am going skiing in Chile, to explore manchu picchu in Peru, and to Quito, Ecuador. You can still travel, just pick and choose wisely.

The CDC is a very helpful website. You can see maps, et cetera. Here is a part of the website that I found most helpful. At the bottom, it lists all the vaccines and if people on immunosuppresive drugs can take them.

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2010/chapter-8/immunocompromised-traveler.aspx

Hoep that helps! Enjoy your travels

FPO achicos
Joined Jun 19, 2010

Thu, June 17, 2010 3:58 PM

 Reply posted for Gurami.

I traveled to the amazon and got all the vaccines I needed to go there... I don't really remember the details but I don't think I ran into problems.  I do remember I took a different type of malaria pills than most people because of IBD or complications with medications.  I'm not on Humira or Remicaid but I was on imuran at the time.
I wouldn't let IBD stop you from traveling.  In my experience people here in the U.S. have a lot of fear of traveling but it's overhyped. 

FPO tobykai
Joined May 20, 2010

Tue, June 15, 2010 9:36 PM

 Reply posted for EZ.

Thanks for the reply EZ!  I'm currently talking to my GI doc about delaying my next remicade appt in order to get the YF vaccine (which yes, is a live vaccine which you can't get on Remicade or Humira).  I'm pretty sure he's going to tell me it's a bad idea!  But I'll let you know.


Thanks,
Mike

FPO gurami
Joined Jun 15, 2010

Tue, June 15, 2010 9:30 PM

 Reply posted for Gurami.

My daughter wanted to take a travel abroad college course in the Amazon.  I discussed this with her doctor since it is HIGHLY suggested to take the yellow fever vaccine (it's the live vaccine, right??) anyway, she said no live vaccines at all for IBD patients.  She said the risk for my daughter going there was just not worth it because she has a compromised immune system, she has seen patients with yellow fever and it's pretty bad.  She said my daughter and I could discuss it with an Infectious Disease Specialist.  We never did and she didn't go.  The doctor said unfortunaly, there may be places she won't be able to go because of the high risk.  If you go on the CDC website you can see the places where it is HIGHLY recommended to get the live vaccines.  Good luck and let us know what happens.

FPO ez
Joined Nov 9, 2008

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