I'm flying to Thailand in January from the UK and staying for three weeks. I've got the insurance sorted and booked in at the gp travel clinic in November for any jabs I might need.
I'd be very grateful for any tips about long haul travel and particularly the flight. My consultant said I don't need to take any precautions just think about wearing flight socks, but I feel there must be more I can do to make the journey safer and easier.
My platelets are around 590 at the moment and haven't been below 550 for over 2 years. I take HU, blood pressure meds and aspirin.
Do you think I should up the aspirin before I go?
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EdwinaJ
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Hi, I have travelled a lot and quite a few long haul trips. The travel insurance must include the country you are going to, which increases the cost...Yes, the advice on the MPNvoice page is good and when talking aboutThailand, just be a bit prepared that the pavements, pedestrian areas, walk ways et cetera, are not very flat. Steps and all sorts of level differences...I don't know exactly, where you are going but just keep that in mind. Also, you can inform the airline staff, the airhostess/steward, that you need to get up and move around and do the foot movements (clarkpodiatry.com/exercise-... ). It will make them understand a bit better (yes, other people will move about as well, but they will allow you a bit more space if they know..) If you need to take medication on the plane, bring an empty bottle and refill after security check so you have water on the plane. I really hope you have a good trip, it is a beautiful country!😄
keep hydrated the day before and day after the flight, water, you can Google how much water to drink on a long haul flight. Avoid alcohol day before, during and after. Easy on coffee as dehydrates,
Get up and move around during flight, I move every 1.5 hours but 2 hours maybe fine, move even if sleeping, I set a alarm.
I do not take extra aspirin on long flights but do make a point to get an aisle seat and get up and move about every hour. I have never had a problem with that approach. Some do like to use compression socks. Staying well hydrated is also a good idea.
We flew to Israel from the states in 2018 and I had a pretty bad nosebleed. I’d never had that before. I also have high platelets and was on hU at the time. I had a couple of nosebleeds while in Israel, too. It never happened again , strangely enough. So I probably wouldn’t take extra baby aspirin if I were you.
I give myself a Clexane jab a couple of hours before any flight over 4 hours. Always wear compression socks on any flight and no alcohol. Lots of water as we all know anyway!
my harness suggested flight socks too and I took the advice. I’m on Jakafi for PV, and platelets much the same as you; did long haul to Canada early summer and other than adjusting meds for time difference didn’t worry about anything else. Sounds l you’ve got it well sorted- relax and enjoy!
Another question is the oxidative stress. Taking 3 or 4 days before some antioxidants is a good idea and during. You must prepare your body for it. Enjoy!
I travel long haul a lot and I wear flight socks, always get an aisle seat so I can move around move my ankles when I can, drink lots of water and no alcohol - or maybe a wee glass with dinner - and have had no problems. When you have a stop over walk around as much as you can to get circulation moving. I am 73
Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply to me. I really appreciate all your great advice and going to adopt all these good practices. Thailand here I come!! 😊
I flew Sydney to New York, very long haul and wore compression socks, stayed hydrated, did feet and leg exercises and moved around quite a bit.I didn't take extra aspirin. My platelets at the time were around 600.
I've been on several long haul flight the last few years - Canada to Australia - Thailand - Singapore - currently in Bali. I wear compression socks and try to walk around and stretch like others say. And stretch the legs as you can in your seat.
Thailand is awesome - we'll be there next week for about our 9th time or so. We love Chiang Mai.
I flew from Sydney to London and return last June, platelets 700, one low dose asprin per day 2 x Hydrea per day. Only issue was the compression socks were too tight (I used the ones from a hospital procedure) and I was in severe pain above both knees after 6 hrs both ways. In Australia you can get diffferent types of compression/flight socks depending your condition- a Doctor can even prescribe the right ones for you. This is the only regret I had, my Haematologist asked me to wear them on the plane but I should have done more research. . Also do the calf & foot stretches in your seat - they help keep the blood moving and I found they made me feel less stiff.
Hi EdwinaJ, I did my first long haul flight in the summer since being diagnosed and like you, was a bit apprehensive. It was a 14 hour flight and am just on aspirin, platelets around 500. I checked with my consultant before travelling and he said to drink lots of water and move around as much as possible, I had an aisle seat so that was pretty easy and it was also easy to get extra water on the flight. It all went well and most importantly, we had a great holiday which I am sure you will too - Thailand is amazing! Hope you have a brilliant time.
We are also on our travels soon. Going to Northern India for 25 days. Like you I was concerned about the flight as well as other medication issues. I checked with my Haemo, and the Haemo Dept Pharmacist, about precautions on the flight, as well as discussed various vaccinations and medicines. Flight - def the socks, Aspirin 75mg is enough. Vaccs - have had boosters HEP A, TETANUS and TYPHOID. Could not have MMR booster, as unbelievably there is not a non-live virus alternative. I have also had clearance to take Imodium, Piriton and Dioralyte, if needed. Also, advised to not eat salads, raw vegatables, fruit (unless can be pealed). Only drink bottled water, unless you have filtration system bottle and/or a kettle to boil and then refrigerate.
We have travelled extensively in India, Vietnam, Cambodia etc and apart from the usual stomach/diarrhoea episodes, have always stuck to the above.
Hi Edwina, I am off to Australia in about three weeks, which is a 23 hour flight. Luckily I have a Business Class seat, which unfortunately doesn't come on the NHS!! My doctor won't let me travel more than 3 hours in Economy but says Biz or First( !!!!!) is OK but she always gives me blood thinning injections for longer flights which I self administer. I still have to walk about and do all the usual things to keep the blood moving but it may be an idea to check and see if you could get the injections as well?
You will love Thailand and if you can visit the White Temple near Chiang Mai, it is the most quirky thing you ever did see! Have fun, Jill xx
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