Flying

[conno61]

Hi all, my stepdaughter is getting married next year in Mexico . My concern is obviously the length of the flight to the Pacific side which is 11 hours. I'm on aspirin only. To be honest I don't really want to take the risk as I think the flight is too long.

What are your thoughts ?

Thanks, Ian

[Superwoman]

Hi Ian,

What a wonderful place to get married. I think you will find on here that quite a few people have taken long haul flights I believe there are some that have been as far as Australia and New Zealand with no side effects as along as you keep well hydrated and take your Asprin, and get up and walk around on the flight move your feet and legs while seated as well this helps with the blood flow, you should be fine. Speak with your Haematolologist regarding the flight, if you are worried, and I am sure if your counts are good, then there should be no problem, the only trouble is that they can change, but do speak with your doctor. It is a chance of a lifetime and I am sure you want to be there for your wife, and your stepdaughter.

Go for it.

Jean x

[Paul42]

Hi Ian

As Jean has said lots of people fly, I have done a fair few longish flights myself since diagnosis. Keep moving and keep WELL hydrated, and limit your alcohol intake before and during the flight.

As Jean also says discuss it with your consultant, and also make sure you have valid travel insurance should you have any issues, make sure they know all about your condition.

I am sure you will be fine. I am sure you will have a fantastic time.

Paul

[bordeauxgirl]

Hello Ian, I go out to New Zealand every other year to visit my son, yes it's a long flight but I don't let it hold me back. Life is too short, I spoke to my GP she advises me to drink water , take frequent walks around the deck, move your legs , but if you knew me you would say not surprised she doesn't follow the advice she is given and hey what? I'm still here and looking forward to the end of the year, I'm off again, don't worry so much, as that upsets the system more than we realise, you can always fly Business, I did that last year cos you can lie down full length, bliss then, 4 weeks holiday. go enjoy and love your daughters wedding...you surely can't miss that. all girls need their dad to give them away. Anyway that's my thought as you asked. I am PV and Jak2 positive. My meds are sorted before I leave and I never have any problems. All good wishes. June.

[babbittybumble in reply to bordeauxgirl]

Hello Our son has PMF and lives in Australia He came home for Christmas for his sisters wedding and may possibly be back in the summer. Just follow all the above good advice above Bye Gill

[cannonfire]

I wear compression socks when I fly

[AndyT]

I have ET and have flown long haul on several occasions - my specialist prescribed Tinzaparin as an additional precaution - just a single injection on the morning of each flight. Good hydration, flight socks and moving around help too - get an aisle seat so you can get up easily..!

[Jane-r]

Hi Ian

As others have said discuss with doctor first but I have been in long haul flight and going again in March to Thailand . Last time I went my players were high so took the injection before fligh wore socks , drank plenty of water and moved about.

This time platlets are lower so will discuss with doc in Feb whether injections needed this time .

Don't be put off . Hope you have a great time

Jane

[Bromley]

Hi, do not worry. I have been to Chile, flown around South America, Cuba and South Africa. Make sure that you have an aisle seat so that you can get up easily to move around and drink lots of water.

The main thing is to enjoy and have a fantastic time.

[funnyfeet]

As others have said, many of us take long haul flights and have no problems as long as we take precautions.

My daughter lives in Colorado and I visit her about three times a year plus we went to China last summer.

I always wear flight socks now as I find them to be really helpful in stopping my feet from swelling. Drink lots of water and move around regularly. I drink as much water as I can at the airport before we board too. (Everyone is advised to do this anyway not just us MPM's)

Life is for living so go and enjoy your step-daughters wedding, it will be a wonderful experience.

Karen.

[Stevef10]

Morning Ian,

I was diagnosed with ET in 2016 after having a full leg DVT in 2015 and am 67 now.

I have recently returned from a trip to Dallas USA. The flight going was 10 and half hours plus an hour flight to go from Manchester to Heathrow and slightly shorter coming back.

I had an injection one hour before I flew of Clexane this reduces the bloods thickness and along with my surgical stockings I had a very good flight. I take clopidogrel and Hydroycarbamide as standard treatment.

If this is of help to you then I suggest you discuss with Haematology on your next visit.

Have a good trip and enjoy your stepdaughters wedding most importantly don't worry help is at hand.

Regards

Steve

[Mardi]

I wouldn't take the risk-pv dx3years aspirin hydrea -I've never had a blood clot but I'm an anxious person. Do you have pv or et? Th dr said if i do a long haul flight I could inject Clopidogrel before the flight. I know someone who got a clot after a 5 hour flight. She wasn't on a drug either-waiting for results-how about asking the dr. for whatever for the injections?

[harleydavidson]

Hi Ian

I flew 9 hours last September, wore sexy flight socks and did lots of foot excercises, walked up and down when possible and avoided alcohol and caffine. No problem x

[Jonnymitts]

Hi Ian,

I saw my consultant last week and mentioned I had heard about an injection for long haul flights and she has confirmed it would be safer for me to have a prophylactic anticaogualtion (enoxaprin 40mg subcutaneous). Not sure if you get the GP to prescribe it and administer it for the outbound trip though guess you have to do it yourself for way back.

So I wonder if it's worth speaking to yours, though not sure if that's because my platelets are quite high at 868 though down from 1050 four months ago & still only on aspirin.

Let's not talk about LFC

Jonny