Travelling abroad : Do any of you still... - ITP Support Assoc...

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Travelling abroad

Monty55555 profile image
14 Replies

Do any of you still fly and go on holiday with ITP?

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Monty55555 profile image
Monty55555
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14 Replies
Jwong65 profile image
Jwong65

Yes of course. You have to live your life normally. Just ensure you have medical letters and required medications with you. But if your platelets are under 20 some doctors don’t recommend you flying incAse of air pressure that may cause nose bleeds while flying. I travelled with platelet of 50 and everything was fine. Hope that helps

Castle155 profile image
Castle155

As the other reply says I'm currently away at the moment my count was 10 had an infusion of ivig and a wk later off I went. I carry my injections with me and haven't had any problems I carry them with me and if ever questioned I would just inject on the spot so as not to loose them (but this has never happened even when I did America earlier in the yr. Happy travels x

Dawnwarry profile image
Dawnwarry

I've had ITP for umpteen years and go abroad at least once a year. No medication with a platelet count of between 40 and 90. As long as you declare it on your insurance there is no problem as far as I'm aware.

Don't let it rule your life 😀

Monty55555 profile image
Monty55555

Who do you use for your travel insurance and is it crazy expensive?

Dawnwarry profile image
Dawnwarry in reply to Monty55555

I have had several over the years and it's never been any more expensive. Although that could be because I'm not on any medication. Hope that helps.

Morgan profile image
Morgan

I have suprisingly used Debenhams this year and for me and husband they only charged us £23 which is the lowest I have ever paid for silver cover and that's with ITP and hypertension covered. I do not take meds for ITP and only see the specialist or doctor 6 monthly (usually pay about £45 for two of us with other companies). I go abroad twice a year.

Monty55555 profile image
Monty55555

Thank you everyone

dnash58 profile image
dnash58

Have travelled to US, Papua New Guinea and recently returned from Morocco.

In the first two trips I had to be certain that my count remained above 50 in the event of an accident; dexamethasone was good at that and was a little more cautious than usual.

For my latest trip, 3 flights over 30 hours was a real test but my platelets are very stable now to the point of remission.

Long story short; you know your condition and how it affects you.

Be careful, pack your meds and think ahead

Monty55555 profile image
Monty55555 in reply to dnash58

Thank you

Perman profile image
Perman

I’ve been on a few holidays since being diagnosed no problems. No one mentions platelet transfusions. I have had 2 last year and they helped.

Lynwoodley profile image
Lynwoodley

Hi I travel about every 6 weeks long haul 13 hours my blood is normally about 40. I have a blood test b4 I fly as my consultant said it’s not good to fly if under 35. I have never been on any meds

ITPAffecty profile image
ITPAffecty

I have traveled 3 times to and fro to India from USA with count below 20k and I was totally fine. I wasn't using any medication at that time and I feel it's okay to do that if we are not too sensitive on bleeds. Each trip includes 3 flights and longest being 15hrs in a stretch. Due to sleeplessness, jetlag, tiredness, my bruises used to increase after trips but I was able to recover soon with good sleep and good food.

Monty55555 profile image
Monty55555

thank you for everyone's responses :) I have recently had a splenectomy, before this nothing was keeping my count up without any drugs. I'm only 4 weeks after the operation but at the moment all good. I haven't been abroad for 2-3 years now so 2018 I am certainly booking to go away and get some sunshine

Thanks Tom

DAVIDJOEL profile image
DAVIDJOEL

Flying down to Puerto Vallarta from LA in 7 days. Gonna take 10 mg of Prednisone starting tomorrow for 10 days . Platelets at 40.