johntaras Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 I want my wife to get a new Passport because it would be nice to venture abroad again. But can we fly safely with A VP Shunt fitted. Also does anyone know of a Travel Insurance Company who cover people travelling with a VP Shunt fitted? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Mario Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 I have flown many times since my shunt was fitted. As for insurance you may be able to take out a standard one. Read the medical questions carefully and if you can agree with them all you should be fine but you could also ring the medical help line just to check. Try such as the Post office as they are reasonable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daffodil Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 John, I am planning on flying later this year, my first time since shunt was put in so I asked my consultant about this and he said its fine but that I may need to show my shunt declaration card to the security scanner team. He assured me my VP shunt shouldn't be affected by the magnets in their scanners, the MRI doesn't bother it , but some can, so it may be worth just checking if your valve setting is managed by magnets. It's great to hear penny has flown so many times! to be honest all her description of trips has given me the confidence to go, I don't want to be frightened of doing stuff that I wouldn't have given a moments thought too. Good luck, I hope you go somewhere nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Mario Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 I have not got a shunt card, the hospital that fitted mine don't issue then, I asked. My shunt has never set the security alarms off at the airport. On the other hand I can't have MRI's unless it is reset afterwards because mine is set by magnets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul99 Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 hi john I sent a pm with the info on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daffodil Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 So I am tacking onto John's thread to get some advice on travelling with a VP shunt and untreated anneurism. I know we have a thread somewhere on travel insurance but I have been turned down by two companies this week for insurance and now have been quoted £380 for a single trip to Europe:shock:...basically because of how I have to answer the questions. They ask 'are you fully recovered from SAH' IInitially I said yes but when I read the small print I can see that I have to reply 'no' because I now have shunt and hydrocephalus as a result of it which even though I then answer all the questions related to hydroecpahlus as another condition they deem that because the SAH caused my hydro I can't be completely recovered...if I say I am then technically I wouldnt be covered if I did require treatment..,..end result is answering 'no' combined with my untreated anneurism has created a travel insurance nightmare my docs are happy for me to travel, in fact encouraging me to go but no way I can afford that insurance...any suggestions folks? any good insurance companies you have used? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Mario Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Try Unique, get their number off the web or Stay Sure. Ring them and talk to a person. With Unique my shunt wasn't taken into consideration as it was so many years ago and had no problems. It all depends on the questions that are asked and how they are asked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoofbeat Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Have you tried American Express? I don't have a shunt but they were happy to give me a quote. Otherwise if you contact The Stroke Association they have a list of recommended insurers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daffodil Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 Completed my second flight after returning home yesterday from my first trip abroad since my sah and subsequent shunt placement. I was scared but I had my little mantra on the plane where I listed all of you who have flown safely and it really helped me be calm. I was exhausted when I got there but took things easy and rested when I needed to. I got insurance from stay sure in the end, thanks penny, they were great. I also had a letter from doctor so I didn't go through scanner which wasn't recommended for my type. A friend translated that into Spanish which helped. So it all went well. Another milestone I couldn't have imagined ever I reach even just a year ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winb143 Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 Well Done Daffers, Hope you had a Great time xx Love Win xxx I got this from pc Ready? Subject: Spanish for I had a brain bleed 4 years ago He tenido un cerebro purga hace 4 años. Now I have to look for shunt lol xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 That's lovely news Daff and well done...proud of you! xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnS Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 well done Daff, hope you had a fabulous time x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 Well done Daff so very pleased for you xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Mario Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Great news Daf and so pleased you enjoyed yourself. Where is the sun you should have brought back? Forgot it did you or did it refuse to climb in your suitcase? Glad to help regards insurance. My surgeon told me not to be bothered about airport scanners as they wouldn't affect my shunt and it is the same type as yours. On saying that I have never been through a scanner because of my frame. It seems as different doctors have different ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Daff, well done - I'm with 'Staysure' and their policy is for a year, not just one holiday. Just be careful to answer the questions fully and you are fine. I don't have shunt but I do carry a medical kit that I have to declare to airport security and they are fine about it. I had one guy at a foreign airport a couple of years ago tell me he wanted to see my letter so I showed it him. he told me it was ok and I thought 'what a brilliant guy' -not only can he speak English but he can read it upside down! Macca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Mario Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Loved that one Macca. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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