High platelets and long flights

[CommonDaisy]

Hello!

I have only been back on Hydroxy and aspirin for a couple of weeks and thankfully my platelet count has already dropped from 1200 to about 900!

In 2 weeks I have a 13 and a half hour flight to the US and Canada and I’m feeling very anxious, knowing my platelets will still be quite high. Hopefully they will continue to drop at the rate they are going and be around 700 when we leave.

My Haemotologist has assured me that because I am still young (27) that I will nothing to worry about. He also said he could give me a blood thinning tablet to take before flying?

I have found a lot of posts on this forum about ET and flying and getting a blood thinning injection before you leave. But I haven’t read how high everyone’s counts were when they travelled.

If you have had a long haul flight whilst having ET, how high were your platelets at the time? And were you precscribed an injection or tablet?

Many thanks in advance! Hoping your replies might calm my nerves

[Jane-r]

Hi when I was first diagnosed I was 59 and platlets a little lower than you and advised to use blood thinning injections before long flight . I did this for a couple of hols and then Once they lowered down to acceptable levels no need to inject.

I have ET take aspirin and hydroxy.

I would take the advice of doc and take blood thinners, wear flight socks, move about avoid alcohol and drink plenty of water.

Wishing you well.

[CommonDaisy in reply to Jane-r]

Thanks for your reply Jane! I will look into getting some flight socks too

[Joybard]

Hi. My hubby's platelet count has been anywhere between 650 and 850 on numerous holidays to the Dominican Republic (9 hours), we were given a prescription for a Fragmin to be injected on the morning of the flight (I am a nurse) both ways to thin the blood. He was in his 50s. You must following the advice from your own consultant and take blood thinning tablets if that is what he recommended as this will potentially reduce the risk of clots.

As Jane said it is very important to wear flight socks, move about avoid alcohol and drink plenty of water.

I hope that this gives you some reassurance as my hubby was double your age! Enjoy your holiday. Joy

[CommonDaisy in reply to Joybard]

Thanks for your reply and advice Joy

[Kinsale]

Hi. I'm in Australia and have flown to the UK last year and will do it his year as well (23'ish hours). I have ET Jak2+ On Hydrea (1000 mg per day) and Aspirin and my platelets were in the 550'ish range at the time of travel and they are now down to 412. My Haem advised that I didn't need an injection at the time of travel and I just took my tablets at the respective time on the flight. When flying I always select an aisle seat so I can move around during the flight - which I do very regularly and I do have a glass of wine (one) when it is offered.

Cheers

Mark

[CommonDaisy in reply to Kinsale]

Thanks Mark! Australia to UK is certainly long haul. I managed to do that a couple of years ago when my platelets were normal.

Thanks for the advice, I got changed to an aisle seat so I can stretch the legs more often!

[Margo18]

Hi

I have also been on several long haul flights with ET. My Dr advised flight socks water and moving around. It is a bit of a pain as there are lots of loo visits and not much sleep but worth it in the end. As the others say follow your Dr s advice and enjoy your trip.

Margo

[CommonDaisy in reply to Margo18]

Thanks so much Margo! At least all the loo trips means more walking around!

[forwardocho]

Morning

I was given the go ahead to fly long haul last year, albeit I only flew to Greece, which was 4 hours. I did not have any injections or blood thinners and was HU and aspirin (I've since been taken off aspirin) at the time. My Haemo told me to wear DVT socks even for short haul and to keep very hydrated. I walked around the plane (a lot!). When sitting down, I rotated my ankles constantly and stood on tippy toes just to keep the blood flowing.

By the end of the flight I was exhausted!!! However, on my return flight, I somehow lost my DVT socks and my legs blew up like a balloon which resulted in a quick visit to the hospital.

Angela

[forwardocho]

PS: I forgot to add that my platelets were 425 at the time of flying. I wanted to fly to New York for my 50th in May last year but was told I couldn't as my platelets were 601 and considered too high for a long haul flight, hence why I went away in September the same year. I would definitely recommend you purchase some DVT socks and keep well hydrated and move around as much as you can.

[CommonDaisy in reply to forwardocho]

Thank you! I will definitely get my hands on some flight socks- I’ve read it’s best to get prescribed ones from your GP?

[forwardocho in reply to CommonDaisy]

I just bought a pair from Boots but I think you can get them cheaper elsewhere. I didn't know your GP could prescribe them!

[Bluetop]

I have PV and been on hydroxy for a couple of years now -so when I took a long haul flight recently, my platelets were near to normal -so my haem. assured me that apart from the asprin that I am already on, no further medication needed.

[AndyT]

I used to use Tinzaparin injections when flying over 4 hours, when my platelets were around the 800’s-900’s level.

Now I’m on Pegasys and platelets in the 300’s I don’t inject but still wear flight socks, move around regularly and stay hydrated.