Going On A Trip While On Dialysis

October 24, 2019 was my 30th birthday. Two months prior, I started my journey with peritoneal dialysis. It was a very emotional transition and time in my life. I was recommended to do PD due to my standing health and I still wanted to maintain a life that didn’t require me doing hemodialysis. It was important to me to keep as much of my independence as possible.

If I’m completely honest, the thought of doing hemodialysis was scary. Now being past that journey in my life, I’m glad I was able to experience the freedom that came with PD.

Traveling while on dialysis

For my 30th birthday, my friend wanted to celebrate me in a big way and I was determined to be on a beautiful beach. Hawaii was my chosen destination. I chose Hawaii because it gave me the feeling of being out of the country. Beautiful beaches and a chance to completely relax at a pace I could withstand. Also, that they had medical services close enough and a dialysis unit that would be available to me to if needed. Here are some things I found helpful preparing to travel.

Make your destination selection a choice that you are comfortable with. If you’re not comfortable in your surroundings, it’s not only going to impact you mentally, but it will impact your physical health as well. You should feel safe and confident so you’re able to take care of yourself while traveling.

Talk to your dialysis team. No question is an unnecessary one. The risks of peritonitis is high when you do not educate yourself in every way possible. They will be able to answer any questions you may have, give tips on how to keep yourself safe, and make sure you have the medical needs in close proximity if needed. Some places would not be recommended for you to visit when you travel if there’s not the necessary medical care local. My dialysis team was able to ship my medications to where I would be staying in Hawaii. I did pack my own machine plus three days of medication just in case of emergency.

Your medical team will also discuss a treatment schedule to help you navigate traveling. This is important. No destination is worth you missing your treatments. Just because you’re on vacation, your care and treatment routine should not change. All of the rules and training must stay consistent while you travel.

Take the trip - but plan!

Some may say I was brave for traveling, but I’m so happy I did. I was very anxious to do so and I’m certain that’s natural. Before your trip, make sure the hotel, Airbnb, or wherever you will be staying is aware that you’re using a medical device. They may have further accommodations for you. They may be of assistance as to accepting your shipment of medication and making sure the outlets, air conditioning, and ventilation are all working properly. I also made sure I cleaned my treatment area when I arrived and after every treatment.

Disclosing these very important things for travel is essential. You may come across a location that cannot accommodate your needs at all. This will help you determine was is best and most safe for you to travel. Your trip doesn’t have to be in Hawaii. Even if it’s a place local to you, you should ask these essential questions. If you are on hemodialysis, they would give you the same assistance and locating a dialysis center that you could do your treatment.

Take the trip, but plan your trip. If you are not certain, ask your medical team so they can guide you in a way that keeps you safe while enjoying your life on PD.

Traveling doing PD really opened my eyes to experience more of the world. Once I received my kidney, I vowed to see more of the world with my new lease on life. After traveling successfully doing dialysis, there was nothing to hold me back from experiencing life. The four confined walls I used doing PD at home were no longer my limitation.