8 hour flight

[Footballwidow66]

I was diagnosed with ET with jak2 about 5 years ago, my platelets aren’t bad at all only 790 at last count, so am only on mini aspirin at present. Going on 8 hour flight soon, should I take any extra precautions? A colleague told me I should be taking fragmin as such a long flight! Does anyone have any advice?

[ETinNYC]

Hi there! I took a 7 hour Trans-Atlantic flight this past summer. I too am only on a baby aspirin and it was my first long haul flight since my ET diagnosis in Nov 2022. So I was a bit nervous. Got plenty of reassurance from folks on this forum. I checked with my MPN specialist and he didn't feel any additional anticoagulation was needed for me. He told me to make sure I'm well hydrated before and during the flight, avoid alcohol on the flight, and get up every 1-2 hours to walk (and if unable because of turbulence to do some leg exercises in my seat). I looked up some online in the week before travel and took screenshots so I could refer to them if needed. He also told me I can wear compression stockings if I wanted to (and I did) but he didn't outright recommend them. Each of our situations varies, so best to check with your doctor on this!

Happy travels.

[hunter5582]

Best to check in with your MPN care team for case specific advice.

Generally speaking, we can fly with MPNs without undue risk providing we take appropriate precautions. I always make sure to get up and move about every hour. Find ways to get the blood flowing in the legs when seated an also be done as ETinNYC suggests. Some will use compression socks on ling flights. Some have upped the aspirin dose or used a more powerful blood thinning medication. I suspect this would only be recommended by the MPN Care team is there was a history of thrombosis.

Hope you enjoy your trip.

[Phantasia]

To an Australian 8hrs is a short flight.

When I flew Sydney to New York (that's a really long haul flight, close to 24hrs) I made sure I moved around the cabin, exercised my lower legs, stayed hydrated and also wore compression socks.

At the LA stopover I did a lot of walking before reboarding. I took two 100mg aspirin during the flight.

Same on the return trip.

Fortunately no issues.

Enjoy your trip.

[AndyT]

Suggest you discuss with your haematologist but I used to use low molecular weight heparin injections when taking long flights, as well as the normal common sense precautions such as moving around, staying hydrated and wearing compression socks. Both my haematologist and my GP were able to prescribe the heparin for me.

Now my platelets are back in normal range I don’t use heparin but was happy to have it as a precaution when my platelets were around the same level as yours.

[ainslie]

plenty of advice on here already, I would definitely not change or increase any meds unless prescribed by your doc.

[KLCTJC]

I have PV and first time I went to MD Anderson and that was one of my first questions! He said no restrictions, but I also take an ASA and I am treated with Besremi. We just went to Europe, 10 hours. I just walk around and drink water.

[Wyebird]

hi I have flown non stop to Singapore from uk but my platelets are not that high. I thoroughly recommend talking to your heamo. before hand.

I wear flight socks and wiggle my toes as much as possible along with drinking plenty of fluids.

[eladhil]

hello. I have p.v and take h.u &interferon. For a long flight my doctor advise me to inject cleans which use to dilute blood