Flying and Health

[Yoganana1]

Hi Everyone,

I was looking for some advice on flying & health if possible. I have been on Hydroxy & Asprin now for 3 months and last bloods were looking positive, just waiting for my next one with consultation next week 🤞

I had a call from the hospital yesterday asking how things are going and I broached the subject of flying abroad (4hour) for a holiday as myself and my husband feel we could do with some relaxation ! The lady I spoke to totally unnerved me saying I need to make sure I find the emergency medical place as soon as I go away and I need to book somewhere where I will not be too close to other people 🤷‍♀️ … I don’t think such a holiday hotel exists ? Also would I like a care package put in place ? I’m not sure what this is ?? But I would really like to feel like a normal person if possible and get on with life as much as I can as I’m just 62 so hoping for many more years if I can get them ?

Has anyone else had these comments when trying to go abroad … it was more the flying that was my concern really ?

I would really appreciate any help , advice or experience you may have

Wendy x

[ChillyAsh34]

I have flown to Cyprus in Oct 2021 after being on hydroxycarbamide for 4 month hematologist approved as long as I took precautions flight tights water aisle seat and I am off to to Cyprus again may if this is helpful

[Yoganana1 in reply to ChillyAsh34]

Thank you so much for your reply, it’s Cyprus we are looking at and great to know ! Maybe she was just being over cautious then, I will hopefully confirm with my consultant next week before booking anything

[ChillyAsh34 in reply to Yoganana1]

I have just come off the phone to my hematologist after a phone review and I asked again is their any reason I shouldnt fly to Cyprus she said no have a great time

[Yoganana1 in reply to ChillyAsh34]

Oh that’s really good news ! Do you mind me asking why you take Hydroxy ? Is for ET as that’s what I have, hence the concern over flying

[ChillyAsh34 in reply to Yoganana1]

ET +JAK2 I am on aspirin and 500gm hydroxycarbamide a day mon to Friday and 1000 day sat+ sun also thyroxine I am 70 i have staysure annual travel insurance for my hubby and me and my ET is on it ,another good one for MPN is All Clear insurance

[Yoganana1 in reply to ChillyAsh34]

Oh thank you, I am ET + Jak2 also… I had never even heard of this until I was diagnosed but thanks to this Forum and all the lovely people I am learning so much more … Thanks for the insurance recommendations too.

Wishing all the very best to you and your husband

[Oscarsboy in reply to ChillyAsh34]

Your meds absolutely mirror my own in every respect.!

[Cokopops in reply to Oscarsboy]

And mine! Must in fashion…😂

[Helena2022 in reply to ChillyAsh34]

Glad to read your post. I too am ET+JAK2 and will be flying from France to California next week. Hadn’t thought to ask the doctor if there were any concerns..🤭

[Otterfield]

Do be prepared to shop around for insurance, premiums are ridiculous, even for UK destinations for some reason.

[Yoganana1 in reply to Otterfield]

Oh really! I haven’t thought about that. I would need to look into it then also by the sounds of it

[MaggieSylvie in reply to Yoganana1]

I can really recommend "Insured With". A very easy and cheap way to insure travel abroad. We are well over eighty, though so it may not suit younger age groups.

[Yoganana1 in reply to MaggieSylvie]

Thank you for the recommendation , I will take a look at that. Not sure I come under the younger group tho 😄 although I like the sound of it !

[MaggieSylvie in reply to Yoganana1]

Well, even if you don't, there may be some younger people looking at this. 😀

[Yoganana1 in reply to MaggieSylvie]

Oh definitely I’m sure there will be .. and I have never heard of ‘ ‘Insured with’ so the information is very helpful, so thank you x

[MaggieSylvie in reply to Yoganana1]

I had never heard of it either until I googled "insuring people with blood cancer". Other insurers were offering us insurance at ten times the price!

[hunter5582]

There are some reasonable precautions to take, but no reason not to travel. It is important to able able to get up and move a bit during a long flight. Some people like to wear compression socks when they fly. The issue is preventing any potential elevation in risk of clotting. I have flown (including long flights) for many years. i have never had a problem.

Regarding contact with people, suggest just using a bit of common sense and due precautions. You are not at elevated risk of contracting COVID due to your MPN unless your immune system is compromised. This would apply to the airplane and wherever you are staying. I certainly would not suggest travelling to a location where there is a large COVID surge for anyone, MPN or not.

Knowing how to access medical services when travelling is just good planning for anyone with a chronic medical condition. It is a good idea to bring a list of your medications, conditions, doctor contact info, and some basic medical records like you more recent CBCs, CMPs, etc. If you need additional insurance, again that is just good planning.

I hope you enjoy your vacation.

[Yoganana1 in reply to hunter5582]

Thank you Hunter, you are a fountain of knowledge and always seem to know the answers to most things. It’s so reassuring to hear that people have travelled well and hopefully with all the sensible precautions in place, I will be able to do the same

I am very much looking forward to getting a break away, I did come down with covid a couple of weeks ago and survived it, although it did knock me for six at the time, but I probably caught that at work as everyone seemed to be dropping with it each day !

[GK40]

Go and enjoy your holiday! Life is too short

[Yoganana1 in reply to GK40]

Thank you … feel I am becoming too much of an over thinker and you are correct … life is too short to over worry !

[Chicagopv]

I have flown from US to Europe and back several times without trouble. I have pv and take Jakafi. I wear compression socks and move my legs, walk as much as I can on the plane.

[Yoganana1 in reply to Chicagopv]

Thank you, glad to hear you have been fine when flying … I will make sure I can book an aisle seat before hand then

[Trocken]

Never been advised not to travel or fly, the advice above is the same as I’ve been given and follow, would just add that make sure you carry your meds in your hand luggage and take your recent clinic letter which will state your diagnosis and medical condition.The only additional info I would add is that if you ever go further a field particularly Asia ect you may need to contact the British embassy in the country and notify them that you are bringing a controlled drug (hydroxy) into their country, I had to do this for Singapore via email and got immediate approval!

[Yoganana1 in reply to Trocken]

Oh really… not sure if the lady I spoke to was new to this or just over cautious but with her restrictions she certainly unnerved me 😉

I feel so grateful I have found this Forum as it’s so helpful to get advice from others who have the same challenges to overcome and very reassuring to hear that for the most, all has gone well too

Thank you for your reply, help and advice. I will definitely take it on board and make sure I have things prepared and organised beforehand

[Stripecat]

Hi yoganana1

I have been on aspirin and hydroxy for about 15 years and have always travelled

I live in Australia so I’m talking 26 hr + flight times and never had a problem

Good luck with your travel plans

[Yoganana1 in reply to Stripecat]

Thank you so much for your reply. … that’s very reassuring. I will be slightly nervous on my first flight but will be very much looking forward to taking a break

[Oscarsboy]

Morning Yogana. I am nearly 74 on Hydroxy and Aspirin with ET Jak 2. In February we flew to Miami (8 hours +) flight. Again I made sure I discussed this with a member of the team before we went to make sure I was doing everything right. (I also made sure I had this condition added to my travel insurance which was no problem). Flight socks, plenty of rehydration, and making sure you have plenty of movement for your feet and legs. We did book extra leg room on this occasion because of the length of the flight and also increased my aspirin from one a day to two during that time. Hope this puts your mind at ease. PS also as mentioned above, I carried all meds in my hand luggage together with the hospital letter of my diagnosis. It was never queried.

[Yoganana1 in reply to Oscarsboy]

Thank you Oscarboy It has definitely helped to put my mind at rest.

I think I need to make sure I get properly organised beforehand

[ainslie]

When flying a few tips1. If PV make sure your Hct is well controlled

2. Drink plenty water the day before and on morning of flight and during, ditto on return.my urologist said we should drink 2.5 L per day not more.

3. Probably wise not to drink alcohol on plane or pre flight or day before and I avoid it the two days prior to return flight as alcohol dehydration can last a few days, sensible with coffee also

4. Walk around the airport a bit prior to flight to get blood pumping and get up every hour or so on plane and move

5. Compression socks can’t do any harm

6 remember aspirin

And enjoy your holiday 😀

[Yoganana1 in reply to ainslie]

Thank you for your help and advice. I will bear it all in mind and hopefully enjoy the holiday without too much worry 🤞