I just got a lot of new lupus bruises. Is it safe to take a six hour air flight?

[Jonathansgirlfriend]

[Tigerlily4]

Bruising easily is likely caused by the medication you're taking rather than lupus. You should probably check with your GP but, in any event, wearing flight socks is a good idea : )

[HermioneG]

I am wondering why you think it might not be safe to fly because you're bruising. The most usual worry about flying wiuth lupus is the risk of thrombosis/clots due to APS a condition when the blood risks clotting. Bruising can be caused more the opposite- the platelets not sticking together, being 'thinner' than normal. That can be caused by a medical condition that needs treating or caused by medicines notably Prednisone. Even an antimalarial might slightly increase bruising- when I am on my two antimalarials and low dose Imuran plus aspirin I bruise much more and stop them before dentistry to reduce bleeding. There's always the question of blood seeping through damaged veins.

Anyway we can't say what's causing your bruising but it's always worth mentioning new or worsening symptoms to your GP. Ask him about taking aspirin while you're travelling - many of us take low dose aspirin anyway. He certainly should be able to reassure you.

Take frequent walks around the plane and do those foot and ankle exercises to keep the circulation going, as well as those socks. I wonder if they can be supplied on prescription.

Have a good time!

Hermione

[Barnclown]

Following on from the last 2 replies, i am feeling confused: I'm new to all this, but drs say I've had SLE all my life but only been diagnosed last year, my symptoms having got even worse since early menopause. I am replying now cause the advice i've been given by my rheumy is sort of contradicted by the first 2 replies to your ?.

one of my symptoms is sort of like bruising, except it cn happen without friction to tissues: I had been, for some time, getting what looked like bruises, big and small, say on my ankle, calf or foot, arm, wrist or hand mostly, but without having bumped myself. and i was not on any meds so that couldn't have been causing these bruise-like tissue bleeds. Also, i had been having a lot of trouble for years with red burning sore feet/hands.

Anyway, after a june 2011 lupus etc diagnosis, i had been on plaquenil 400mg for a while and by early autumn the edge seemed to have been taken off many of my symptoms slighly, including the bruise-like tissue bleeds but not the feet/hands stuff. But I needed to take a long haul flight. So my gp wrote to my v lupus experienced rheumy, who had diagnosed my Lupus/MCTD/hypermobility/sicca symptoms that june (before even looking at my bloods results) and my rheumy wrote back. She said ok to take the log haul flight but do the walking around/wear stockings thing AND if the bruising and/or the feet/hands thing is flaring worse do a prednisolone taper too. Reading the 2 previous replies does make me wonder why my rheumy replied this way.

Anyway, jonathansgirlfriend: i hope my reply doesn't just make things even more confusing,...

And tigerlily4 & hermione: am hoping you see my reply and have a chance to reply/comment