Polycythemia is it safe to fly with this condition?

[Asmith1498]

Hello,

I’m Alexandra smith from UK and I am writing this on behalf of my boyfriend. He had a stroke last year and found out it was from having Polycythemia Vera and is jack 2 positive.

He has been managing it well and we have known for about a year now , however we want to book our first holiday is he safe to fly ?

[piggie50]

Hi,

I have had PV for 13 years and fly without problem.

( love my holidays) I always wear flight socks, keep well hydrated and move around when I can. I also take a letter that the CNS done for me detailing my condition and a list of my medication. I haven’t done a long haul flight but my heam says it would be fine and I could have a blood thinning injection before each flight. I take clopidogrel and Hydroxicarbamide to lower platelets. I imagine your boyfriend is at least on aspirin?

I’ve never had a stroke so would advise that he checks in with his haematologist at his next appointment that it’s ok to fly.

Enjoy your holiday.

Judy

[MPort]

Hi I echo all that is listed below, hydration, movement, carry letter from hospital. Plus I make sure the HGB/HCT is within recommended level to ensure it is not too sluggish. I have done many long haul flights following this plan. Enjoy.

[AirconBob]

Same as above - JAK2 + PV and still enjoy long haul holidays after 5 years - just off to Mexico. All the hints above are correct - my favourite one is just keep moving about.

I think I am safer now with meds to keep HCT and Platelets in control than I was before diagnosis. Enjoy.

[EleanorPV]

You need to ask this question of your haematologist.

Most of us are allowed to fly.

The shorter the flight the less risk on the body (for the whole population). I have flown all over the world.

I survived a 4 hour flight, before being diagnosed and completely unaware, with very high HCT (I feel lucky, not recommended).

On average holidays are very good for our stress levels. This is good for our bodies.

[Kari1961]

As what everyone has said, follow the advice and he'll be fine to fly. Also he would need to declare that he has had a stroke and make sure his travel insurance includes stroke cover.

I haven't flown since having my stroke and being diagnosed with PV (by choice).... I hated flying before diagnosis, and would quake at the thought of flying anywhere. I now enjoy happy holidays using alternative means of transport - Trains and boats... cruising is a dream.

[tracey13]

My husband has had PV for 6 years we still go on holiday doing flights of about 4.5 hours. We haven't done long haul since he was diagnosed.

He's now progressed to myelofibrosis so we will ask his consultant I'm sure he will be fine.

It was once mentioned about long haul he made need a tinzaparin injection , but we haven't done long haul so I'm unsure about that.

Tracey