Post: #26

I have got sick a few times in Peru.. usually the stomach bug which last from 2-5 days. Recently a sinus infection that was harsh and also cut my trip up in North Peru short.

When I get sick abroad its the only time I miss being back home. I never think "Man I wish I was in the USA" on a regular day here. But soon as I get sick the thought crosses my mind a lot... I guess when you're sick you're uncomforable and your brain automatically associates home with being a comfortable place.

Post: #27

(02-02-2013 11:05 AM)el mechanico Wrote:  I've read that a couple drops of grapefruit seed oil in your drinks will kill a bug in your intestines from someone who witnessed a group of people in the peace Corp dropping it all the time.

This stuff works great I brought this stuff to Mexico and where as normally even if I don't get sick I feel bloated for about the first week, a couple drops of grapefruit oil extract in a waterbottle a couple times a day and I feel great and can eat whatever I want for the most part.

Post: #28

I get the sniffles almost every time I travel. I don't think it's so much picking up germs at the destination, as it is picking up germs on the airplane and lowered immunity due to jet lag.

Airplane seats, arm rests, trays, magazines, seat belts, and every button within arm's reach are the dirtiest things you can touch in your life... even dirtier than the lavatory because they clean the lavatory but not your seats in between flights!

I'm taking hand sanitizer next time I travel. And I would not DARE touch my face, eyes, mouth, and nose when flying. Takes serious discipline to do that on long haulers, I can say that.

Post: #29

(03-31-2015 11:35 PM)NovaVirtu Wrote:  Ugh...2 weeks in Peru and nothing happened. Suddenly I have non-stop shitting and fever. Right now my stomach is feels like there is some puritan colonial housewife churning butter in it.

I think I got from eating "chifa" (peruvian chinese food). It's been highly recommended to me by numerous people, but in retrospect was probably a horrible idea. Chinese restaurants are notorious for cutting corners with health and safety standards back in the US...I can't even imagine they do (or don't do) down here.

I've mentioned this on another thread with a similar topic. Don't fuck with Chinese food in poor countries unless you have a certified iron stomach. I've known so many people that were done in by Chinese. It's one of the most consistent food poisoning themes I hear. I don't even want to think about what the kitchen looks like in a place like Peru.

Post: #30

Always bring flu, stomach and allergy medicine oh painkillers as well.

I have eczema and the concomitant allergies. Traveling is a bitch.

Post: #31

@cleanslate it's because the air in the cabin is "recycled" so to speak, and you could have rhinitis.

Post: #32

I had a heart attack at Oktoberfest 1 week into a backpacking trip. Had to spend some time in hostpital. When I got out, there was no chance I could get a hotel for the night in that city as oktoberfest was still on and there was like 4 million tourists in the city.
I had to just get a cab to the airport and bought the cheapest flight from there I could get.

Was really shitty for morale I have to say that!

Post: #33

Did your insurance cover your loss?

Post: #34

(04-04-2015 10:37 PM)Agreddor Wrote:  Did your insurance cover your loss?

Oh yeah man. I am on first name terms with almost all travel insurance companies these days.

Post: #35

A concern that comes to mind would be whether insurance policies cover the cost of emergency evac via helicopter in geographically isolated places like Kazakhstan or Mongolia. Thoughts?

Post: #36

Was stuck on a toilet in a Cambodian bar for an hour, no more street food for me.

Post: #37

(04-05-2015 03:13 AM)Agreddor Wrote:  A concern that comes to mind would be whether insurance policies cover the cost of emergency evac via helicopter in geographically isolated places like Kazakhstan or Mongolia. Thoughts?

If your life is relying on a helicopter ride out of Darkhan, I dont think you will be worried about the prices.

I have had 3 heart attacks overseas:
1 requierd a speed boat to Koh Samui
1 required a taxi to a hospital
1 required a long bus trip to Vientiane.

Basically its death or pay money.


If it happens in Kazakhstan or Mongolia, you just thank god that it only costs $1000 to transport your ass to hospital.

Post: #38

Off to the hospital!

I'm Cusco right now and things were going alright for a few days then Thursday night I suddenly noticed my vision getting slightly blurry in my right eye. My right eye is normally much sharper than my left, now it's the other way around.

I went to a walk-in clinic and scheduled an appointment with an opthomologist for 220 soles (about $72). I'm thinking it could early stages of conjunctivitis or something. The guy looks at my eyes for a through the machine for like 5 seconds, has me read one of those alphabet charts with and without my glasses, and then concludes that it's caused by a "different climate". My eyes are not used to the weather here apparently. I asked him straight up if there was an infection and he says no, and prescribes some kind of eye drop, "NOVO TEARS" or something like that.

Im not convinced by his explanation. My eye (again, its only the right eye) is not dry. It's like there is some film on the surface of my eye clouding my focus of vision, while leaving the peripheral vision untouched.

Completely bizarre and I don't understand how I am as calm as I am right now. I wish I could say I was having more fun here in Peru- it's been cool- I've banged a few girls, meet some forum members, went to beach, saw some cool shit...but so much of this trip has been like cutting heads off a hydra- you solve one problem and two more pop up. Apparently partial vision loss is the next treat.

Anyone ever experience anything like this?

Post: #39

Quote:Anyone ever experience anything like this?

Get a second opinion from another doctor. It sometimes takes a couple to nail down a problem, especially when abroad. I'm surprised he didn't do the puff of air test, which measures ocular pressure.

Post: #40

(04-05-2015 02:59 PM)spalex Wrote:  

(04-05-2015 03:13 AM)Agreddor Wrote:  A concern that comes to mind would be whether insurance policies cover the cost of emergency evac via helicopter in geographically isolated places like Kazakhstan or Mongolia. Thoughts?

If your life is relying on a helicopter ride out of Darkhan, I dont think you will be worried about the prices.

I have had 3 heart attacks overseas:
1 requierd a speed boat to Koh Samui
1 required a taxi to a hospital
1 required a long bus trip to Vientiane.

Basically its death or pay money.


If it happens in Kazakhstan or Mongolia, you just thank god that it only costs $1000 to transport your ass to hospital.

3 heart attacks? I dont know how to phase this so it wont sound stupid, but--Why have you had so many?

$1000-Are you speaking from experience?

Post: #41

Faak this... being sick sucks when traveling (not that its fun when not traveling but its especially bad when you dont have your usual comforts from home)

I have been sick for over a month now from the shits to the sinus infection now I'm back to the shits... havent been to the gym in over a month... RIP Gainz....

I have turned into a hermit, I sit in my room and play Xbox all day, haven't made a approach in a month.. now when I venture out of my room and to the streets and see a hot girl I'm just like "nope" noway I'm talking to her.... I feel like I am going to have to start all over again in the gym and in the game once I feel better.

Also I am a manly man on any given day... till I get sick.... then I turn into a little bitch....