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travel to china

Posted: 2007-08-14 09:36:15
by jwalker120
My wife and I are going to China at the end of Aug. Are there ostomy nurses available and where in case of an emergency? What about food issues in China, are there things to avoid. Has anyone experienced problems transporting medical supplies into China? Thanks for the advise, John

Posted: 2007-08-16 23:27:17
by Linda in NJ
Hi John,

There are not nearly as many stoma nurses in China as there are here - it depends in large part on where you will be. We have some contacts in the medical community there, as we've been fortunate enough to visit there 3 times (presenting at ostomy-related symposia), so if you want to send me a PM to indicate the city or cities where you will be, I'll be happy to try to check things a bit more for you.

I had no trouble taking my own supplies in - and I certainly recommend that, as products manufactured by the companies that we are used to are few and far between, not to mention costly.

Food ... I'd say just take the same care you do here, if there are things that bother you. I didn't have any problems, but then I can eat just about anything. There are so many different parts of China, each with its own cuisine, that its very difficult to make a generalization. We found most things delicious!

Linda

Posted: 2007-08-17 10:48:26
by jwalker120
Thanks Linda for the reply. We will be in Beijing, Xian and Shanghai. River cruising for 9 days on the Yangsi. I have heard to take 3 times the supplies that I think I will need, is this right? Does one keep this all in a separate contaniner as carry on? Thanks again, John

Posted: 2007-08-17 15:29:07
by Mara
John, I have not traveled to China, but I have traveled numerous times to Europe and Japan twice. I have never had any ostomy related problems except many, many years ago when I was in Morocco and ate street food and had bad diarrhea. I wouldn't count on finding ETs abroad IMO nor would I want to spend time being ill....

I am not sure how long you have had your surgery but if any length of time you would know what food gives you problems. If it were me, I would certainly not drink any non-bottled water or eat any uncooked food. Also not a whole lot of fibrous items either.

I pack very light and carry on my luggage but you do need to take all your ostomy items in your carry on just to be safe.

Personally I would be more worried about the air quality in China than anything else....

Enjoy your trip!

Posted: 2007-08-18 08:04:01
by Linda in NJ
Air quality in China is an issue, for sure. Shanghai is a bustling city, but the air quality has diminished the terrific view from the top of the Pearl Tower. Last October Beijing wasn't bad, though. I've not had the pleasure of seing Xian or the Yangtse.

If you have tubes of paste or liquid associated with your supplies, they can be put in a 1-qt sealable clear bag with things like lip gloss and eyedrops, that have to be separated when you go thru the scanner. I often recommend putting your other ostomy supplies in a see-thru bag in your carry-on luggage, but that's just in case you are selected for a hand-search when boarding, so they can see what you have but not have to handle it.

You will see discussion on this board - if you use the search function - about taking more than the 3 oz bottles and claiming them as medically needed. Many have had not trouble with that on domestic flights, but I would not challenge the system if I were going overseas and not sure where I'd get my next tube of paste if it were confiscated.

3x isn't a bad idea - but could be a lot to pack into a carry-on. You might think about packing half in your luggage and taking the rest onboard with you. Even people flying into the International Ostomy Association congress last week in Puerto Rico, whose luggage went astray between Norway and there, got their bags within 36 hours.

TIP: Flying home through Hong Kong last fall, we confidently bought water AFTER passing security, only to have it confiscated during a search of hand-luggage just before boarding the plane. They didn't find the one small bottle in the pocket of my hubby's overcoat, however. Even if you aren't so lucky, the airline staff will generally give you as much as you ask for.