Preparation for long flights?

[RoundTheWorld]

Hello.

Those of you who have lived with PV, particularly with raised thrombotic risk, for several years please may I ask whether your MPN specialists adjust medications prior to any longer haul flights?

I have already read here the general advice re. moving around regularly, hydrating, avoiding on-board alcoholic drinks and making sure regular medication is safely transferred.

Thank you

[hunter5582]

Some like to wear compression socks. A few up their dose of aspirin or other blood thinning medication. I finds that getting up and moving is the most helpful thing of all. I always get an aisle seat to facilitate getting up.

Happy travels.

[RoundTheWorld in reply to hunter5582]

Thank you. No longer trips yet scheduled but I’ve been feeling a little demoralised and planning for future adventures helps.

[Phil1955]

hi I went to Tenerife in 2017 I have E/T and P/V 50/50 I’m on 1500 mg daily in 2017 on the return flight we had a technical problem with the plane and sat on there for 3 hours prior to departure then the 4 hour flight on return I got a DVT in my right calf

I’ve not flown since but with flight socks and medication I’m sure you’d be fine

[RoundTheWorld in reply to Phil1955]

Thanks Phil. Sorry to read about the DVT - but glad you have been ok afterwards.

[Anouchka]

Just returned from France to Canada trip. Hunter’s advice about moving around in-flight is sound and although no major thrombotic risks for me generally I took my haematologist’s advice to wear compression socks. Took three days to adjust times of taking my Jakafi meds outbound and two days return. All remains good.

Good luck for your own trip.

[RoundTheWorld in reply to Anouchka]

Thanks - hope the trip was wonderful!

[AndyT]

I have ET rather than PV and in view of the risk of thrombosis on long flights I was prescribed heparin injections. Might be worth discussing that with your doctor.

[ainslie]

you’ve had good answers already, I will only add check with your doc and of course don’t change or add meds or increase dose without checking with doc first

[Minify]

I did everything right - hydration, moving, compression socks, aspirin, but still got a DVT and sub-massive PE after a very long stressful air flight (many delays). I think there is merit for high-risk individuals to take short-acting Apixaban a few hours prior to take-off and for 24 hours after landing. I truly don’t see the downside to that level of short-acting prophylaxis. The sequellae of a big PE can be significant.

[RoundTheWorld in reply to Minify]

Thank you Minify. I’m sorry you’ve had all that to contend with.