Ill Abroad | Mumsnet

LoopyGremlin · 2023-07-12T05:13:08+00:00

Currently on holiday in the Caribbean. Ten days in and I've become really unwell with a stomach issue/ food poisoning? Feeling very sorry for myself as have a very expensive trip booked tomorrow for my kids and struggling to see how I can manage it. Also very worried about how I will manage the flight home if I still feel like this. Has anyone ever had to stay abroad rather than fly home? If that did happen, would I stay myself or would the rest of the family stay too?

Whataretheodds · 12/07/2023 06:18

Sorry you're feeling rotten. Hopefully you can get it all out of your system quickly. Are you being sick, diarrohea or both?

Is there any medical representation on site, or listed in the guest services? Normally a hotel will list nearest doctor etc.

Do you have travel insurance? Any other adults in your party?

BillyNoM8s · 12/07/2023 06:22

Have you seen a doctor?

If you can get one of those rehydration/anti emetic drips, they work wonders. I had one with heat stroke and I was a new woman within the hour.

Who is with you? Presume you have insurance?

If you're in a larger hotel they should have a doctor they use or may even have someone on site?

greenacrylicpaint · 12/07/2023 06:57

sorry you feel rotten.
the good thing about most stomach things is that they are over quick.

call your insurance and see what they say.
often though cover is only for the affected person.

hotel rep ir reception should be able to help regarding access to a pharmacy and/or dr.

hope you feel better soon.

ilovegoatscheese · 12/07/2023 07:07

My son started vomiting with gastroenteritis 2 days before we were due to fly home from Spain last year. He became dehydrated and we ended up in hospital on the day we were due to fly home. The two of us stayed and the rest of the family flew home. No way could he have flown. All sorted through travel insurance so was fine. Hope you get well soon.

Original poster

LoopyGremlin · 12/07/2023 08:25

Thanks for the replies.

It's mainly diarrhoea but there's nothing coming out now, just bad stomach cramps. I have been ill for about 36 hours now. I have been managing to drink a reasonable amount of water. I took some Imodium yesterday morning but that was maybe the wrong call. Was planning on taking more today so I can get through the trip we have booked.

I do have insurance and have registered to speak to a doctor in the uk through them to seek their advice. There is no rep at the hotel, but can contact Tui if I needed them. Hotel staff are excellent so I am sure the reception would be able to arrange a doctor's visit if my insurance feel that's necessary. This would be the first time I have ever had to use my travel
Insurance so unsure how it all works.

I am here with my husband and kids although I am the only one ill at the moment.

Devastated as this is our first trip abroad since covid and it has cost an absolute fortune. 😢

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BillyNoM8s · 12/07/2023 09:57

If I were you I would've arranged a doctors visit through the hotel on day 2.

Where are you?

I'd rather just pay to feel better and try and claim it back, than jump through insurers hoops while feeling like crap.

cheezncrackers · 12/07/2023 10:00

You poor thing OP - there are few things worse than being unwell when you're far from home and know you've got to get well quickly to do a trip or fly home.

Don't force yourself to go on the trip if you're not well enough. It's more important that you rest and recuperate.
Ask reception to call the doctor for you and see if you can get something to ease the cramps and also diagnose what you've got. Don't assume it's food poisoning - it could be giardia, campylobacter, etc.
Be very strict with what you put in your mouth - bottled water only, electrolyte drinks, nibble on plain dry biscuits, nothing with milk or fat in it as this will probably make it worse. Natural yogurt can help to restore gut bacteria, but I'd want to know what I had first.
I hope you feel better soon

Original poster

LoopyGremlin · 12/07/2023 10:13

BillyNoM8s · 12/07/2023 09:57

If I were you I would've arranged a doctors visit through the hotel on day 2.

Where are you?

I'd rather just pay to feel better and try and claim it back, than jump through insurers hoops while feeling like crap.

This is day two of being ill. I have been here for ten days. Sorry for confusion!

I'm in Dominican Republic.

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Original poster

LoopyGremlin · 12/07/2023 10:16

I've decided there's no way we can do the trip. It cost £500. The money isn't hugely important but obviously it's pretty annoying. Does travel insurance cover that sort of thing too?

It's only 5.16am here. I'll go to hotel reception in the morning and see if they can get me a doctor.

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greenacrylicpaint · 12/07/2023 10:52

can your dh take the dc on his own?

KPops22 · 12/07/2023 10:56

I once had food poisoning and a doctor in the USA gave me an injection to allow me to fly home. I didn't go for about 2 weeks after though!

ilovegoatscheese · 12/07/2023 16:44

It's totally crap for you. Forgot to say the doc in Spain gave my son an injection that she said would stop the vomiting and he'd be fine to fly. Good job we didn't get on the plane as it didn't and he went downhill quite rapidly with the dehydration. Best to get you sorted before flying anywhere.

EmmaEmerald · 12/07/2023 16:52

I've been in this position on a multistep trip

policies will vary but the expectation was that my sister would go on without me - lesson learned to book insurance as a unit.

if the doc feels you can fly home, and you feel you can, then do. Otherwise they should cover you extra days but may not cover other family.

the day trip - surely the others go without you?

I sympathise, it was E coli in my case but I only had to do a short flight feeling weak.

I have now been ill, including hospitalisation ill, three times while abroad, I no longer go abroad. So expensive and so easily spoiled, so I really sympathise and wish you better asap

unicornhair · 12/07/2023 16:56

In St Lucia I saw a doctor at the hotel, he visited certain days. There was no charge either. He told me what to buy from the pharmacy.

liveforsummer · 12/07/2023 17:01

Can't dh go on the trip with dc rather than chancel for everyone? I'd not wait around for insurance to respond though - just see a dr and try to claim back later. He could possibly have you right as rain in no time with anti sickness and rehydration

amylou8 · 12/07/2023 17:28

You poor thing. I always manage to poison myself abroad. Last time was in Cairo I lost 2 full days to diarrhoea. Drink rehydration sachets to keep you hydrated, you can Google the recipe to make them yourself (salt and sugar) if they're not available. I always put a few Tena pants in my luggage now after a slightly near miss airport transfer in Morocco.

Original poster

LoopyGremlin · 12/07/2023 21:35

I've been seen by the doctor. Diagnosed a Gi infection and dehydration. Been prescribed meds and electrolyte drinks for next three days which cost $375! (thank god for the NHS)

The reason my husband couldn't go on the trip is that half of it was zip wiring which my daughter wasn't 100% sure of doing so he couldn't stay with her if she said no as he needed to accompany my son. So really two people were needed. He will take them to the other trip we have planned though if I'm unable to make it.

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Original poster

LoopyGremlin · 12/07/2023 21:41

Plus, I didn't want to be left on my own in the hotel room whilst o felt so ill!

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CurlyhairedAssassin · 12/07/2023 21:55

Ah it's horrible being ill when you're away on a trip. The first thing I thought of when you mentioned being sick in the Caribbean was Dom Rep, sorry. I think it's known for it, isn't it?

I missed most of DH's 50th birthday weekend in the Lakes stuck in the hotel room with a vomiting bug. Have also had diarrhoea the night before a plane trip back from Spain, and felt like I was going to throw up in the airport, panicking they wouldn't let me on if they saw I was ill.

I think the best thing you can do is stay in your hotel room and rest, don't try to think about trying to join in with some things. Yes the trip is expensive and it's galling now but you just need to recover. You may recover quicker than you think, but unfortunately the downside of that is that as you're recovering one of the others in your party becomes sick. I really hope that doesn't happen and you were just the unlucky one.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 12/07/2023 22:01

ps. my advice would be never to book an expensive activity abroad like the zip wire thing if one of the kids hasn't done it in the UK and isn't sure of doing it, unless you can afford to lose the money and not mind. It's just not worth it. Wait till theyre older and don't need supervision if they change their mind about doing it and they can wait back at base or wherever till you're all finished.

Laurie01 · 12/07/2023 22:01

We were in canaries, 2 adults 2 children. Dd hospitalised so DH stayed with her as advised by insurers, I flew back with other child and had to leave them there. Nightmare sorting out costs when home. Keep receipts for EVERYTHING even taxis, food etc.

EmmaEmerald · 12/07/2023 22:14

LoopyGremlin · 12/07/2023 21:35

I've been seen by the doctor. Diagnosed a Gi infection and dehydration. Been prescribed meds and electrolyte drinks for next three days which cost $375! (thank god for the NHS)

The reason my husband couldn't go on the trip is that half of it was zip wiring which my daughter wasn't 100% sure of doing so he couldn't stay with her if she said no as he needed to accompany my son. So really two people were needed. He will take them to the other trip we have planned though if I'm unable to make it.

You should get that back on your travel insurance.

Original poster

LoopyGremlin · 12/07/2023 22:22

Laurie01 · 12/07/2023 22:01

We were in canaries, 2 adults 2 children. Dd hospitalised so DH stayed with her as advised by insurers, I flew back with other child and had to leave them there. Nightmare sorting out costs when home. Keep receipts for EVERYTHING even taxis, food etc.

That must have been difficult. I've photographed all my receipts plus have them safely tucked away.

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Original poster

LoopyGremlin · 12/07/2023 22:23

CurlyhairedAssassin · 12/07/2023 21:55

Ah it's horrible being ill when you're away on a trip. The first thing I thought of when you mentioned being sick in the Caribbean was Dom Rep, sorry. I think it's known for it, isn't it?

I missed most of DH's 50th birthday weekend in the Lakes stuck in the hotel room with a vomiting bug. Have also had diarrhoea the night before a plane trip back from Spain, and felt like I was going to throw up in the airport, panicking they wouldn't let me on if they saw I was ill.

I think the best thing you can do is stay in your hotel room and rest, don't try to think about trying to join in with some things. Yes the trip is expensive and it's galling now but you just need to recover. You may recover quicker than you think, but unfortunately the downside of that is that as you're recovering one of the others in your party becomes sick. I really hope that doesn't happen and you were just the unlucky one.

Definitely hoping in the only one to be sick! Sorry to hear you missed the celebrations when you were ill.

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