DVT prevention and carriage of clexane needles in carry on luggage.

[TraceyK90]

I often have to travel with humira pens (the self injection pens you pull to covers off, take a deep breath and press go), never been asked about hem even when traveling with cold packs and yes I too feel funny with popping the empty in the yellow bins.

 

[marki]

Sure. But NICE guidelines suggest there is no good evidence for graduated compression stockings (thought they do recommend them), and that there may be a role for LMWH in consultation with a haematologist.

We all know medicine is rarely one size fits all.

This is true

 

[robs12]

I had a DVT after a flight. There is risk in me flying, but my (various) doctors have recommended that to minimize this risk I should wear compression stockings, take aspirin, keep hydrated and stretch regularly (obviously) + pointy end or premium economy for more space and ability to change position and move about. Clexane was suggested as a potential, but not a must do - I have some but do not use it.
Having had a multitude of tests, I do not have any genetic disposition towards DVT, so I believe (hope!) that in taking the precautions suggested, along with my awareness of the seriousness of the issue, I am probably at lower risk than many (if not most) of my fellow passengers...
I'm the guy doing circuits around the A380 (when I can sneak through First..) ;-)

If you take Clexane as a preventative, then good for you, though personally I would be concerned about the risk of using it (e.g. having a fall and internal bleeding etc) vs the risk of DVT.
If you are aware of the risk of DVT and take suitable precautions, I'd suggest you should not need to take Clexane unless you know you are high risk for DVT? But I'm not a doctor...
I've never had any issues carrying needles on flights - nor have any of my friends or colleagues who need to do so (e.g. diabetics).

 

[k_sheep]

So is asprin of no help in preventing DVT?. I ask that as a laymans question, and not to contest your comment

Afraid not - but might stop that stroke or heart attack

 

[Dino84]

My partner has gestational diabetes and we were concerned about the needles and insulin as well but after going through Bali, Malaysia, China and currently sitting in Hong Kong nobody has paid any attention to it.

Scott

 

[Sprucegoose]

There was no question. Thats why i put it as a open discussion thread.

The point was about security and the carriage of needles.

(The DVT issue is a real one too but its an issue best discussed with your medical professional)

Many people carry needles, regardless of what they deliver. Most would be insulin and the world deals with it.

 

[markis10]

The American College of Chest Physicians guidelines recommend that neither aspirin nor anticoagulants should be used to prevent DVT in long haul travellers - even those with previous venous thromboembolism and/or other risk factors. In those at risk, they recommend the use of graduated compression stockings and other measures such as frequent exercise.

By the way, there is a significantly greater risk of bleeding with Clexane than with low dose aspirin.

Think I would put more credence in advice from a local medically trained doctor, like Cynicor.

 

[Jack_OC]

Think I would put more credence in advice from a local medically trained doctor, like Cynicor.

You'd give more credence to a local individual (who I gather is not a specialist in this particular area of medicine) than to the collective opinion of the leading, globally recognised group of specialists? Interesting.

Just FYI, the reason these groups publish guidelines is so that local doctors, especially those who are not specialists, can come up to speed with current consensus.

BTW, I don't think Cynicor was even disagreeing with the ACCP guidelines, just pointing out that there are times when guidelines don't apply to individual cases. And as you might have noticed I agreed with that.

My point is simply that there would be very few situations when it might be appropriate to prescribe Clexane to prevent DVT in long haul travellers. And when people really are at high enough risk of DVT to warrant consideration of Clexane, they should be aware of the not insignificant risks associated with the drug, and weigh that up against the wisdom of travelling at all.

I felt it was worth providing that perspective, in response to the initial couple of posts in this thread.

 

[Sprucegoose]

You need to be comfortable with the medical advice you receive within your context. Dealing with populations differs at times from individual responses