Flying overseas with a DVT diagnosis

[aussiejohn]

Mods - Not sure where to post this, please move if not appropriate here.

Back in April 2022, I suffered a PE and DVT in my right leg. It was stabilised very quickly and I have been ok ever since. Now on blood thinners (Xarelto) to manage the condition. In July I flew to Norfolk Island - with the precaution of upgrading to J for extra leg room, Brisbane in October with Virgin EconomyX, and Sydney earlier this month with Virgin EconomyX. I had no problems after the flights which I had discussed first with the specialist I see at the Thrombosis Clinic at The Alfred Hospital here in Melbourne.

He has told me that I can fly overseas, but with provisos such as not sitting too long, walking around regularly, taking plenty of water etc. However part of me thinks that embarking on say a 14-15 hour flight is not going to be a good idea. My thoughts so far are that I would have to try and fly J on long sectors and that creates budget problems, and/or breaking the journey into much smaller sectors, with lots of stopovers where possible and use PE for shorter daytime flights. That strategy could end up costing more than a J direct fare.

At 72 I don't have a lot of flying years left, and still want to travel for family history research in the UK, and occasional family history conferences, along with visits to friends and family. So, if possible I want to be able to keep on travelling.

Are there members here who are flying and have had a PE/DVT event? How are you managing this?

Secondly, the more worrying aspect of all this is Travel Insurance. Is it even possible to get Insurance? I already have other pre-existing conditions and dread every time I have to organise Insurance. Would welcome any comments on that aspect as well, particularly companies where you can actually talk to someone who's not just a kid reading stuff (i.e. computer says NO) off a screen when you call.

Thank you.

 

[Pushka]

I share your history. Had a DVT in my internal jugular vein about 7 years ago. Have been on Xarelto since then. it was also determined that I had a blood clotting condition which is auto immune.

I didn't fly internationally for a few months but did fly domestic. However since those first few months I have flown internationally several times, other than Covid times. Last flew to UK this May. My son lives there. I now don't think about it anymore. Just make sure I take the xarelto. It took a year to forget about it. Can you spring for Business on the long haul? I've flown 14 hours in one go. Drink water. Walk around. Don't wear constrictive clothing.

I use insure and go and declare the DVT etc and which is always covered with an additional premium.

Go for it.

 

[eric2011]

Walk around. Don't wear constrictive clothing.



Go for it.

When you say constrictive clothing are you talking about those compression stockings etc which you often see people putting on. I thought that this is what they are made for ?

 

[Pushka]

When you say constrictive clothing are you talking about those compression stockings etc which you often see people putting on. I thought that this is what they are made for ?

I found that they caused me to swell in my feet and at the wrinkles around my ankles. I figure I was better to try put my feet up because they created other issues for me.

 

[drron]

You should be fine just follow your doctor's advice. Being on Xarelto reduces your chance of further clots dramatically.. Of course nothing is perfect.

An interesting study was undertaken some 20 years ago found that clots were slightly more common in F and J passengers than those in Y. They figured the more comfortable the seat the less likely you were to get up and walk around. But because there are way more Y pax on most flights the numbers are higher for Y.

 

[Pushka]

You should be fine just follow your doctor's advice. Being on Xarelto reduces your chance of further clots dramatically.. Of course nothing is perfect.

An interesting study was undertaken some 20 years ago found that clots were slightly more common in F and J passengers than those in Y. They figured the more comfortable the seat the less likely you were to get up and walk around. But because there are way more Y pax on most flights the numbers are higher for Y.

That makes a lot of sense.

Four weeks before I flew Award F from Dubai. But that doesn't account for a neck DVT.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Mods - Not sure where to post this, please move if not appropriate here.

Back in April 2022, I suffered a PE and DVT in my right leg. It was stabilised very quickly and I have been ok ever since. Now on blood thinners (Xarelto) to manage the condition. In July I flew to Norfolk Island - with the precaution of upgrading to J for extra leg room, Brisbane in October with Virgin EconomyX, and Sydney earlier this month with Virgin EconomyX. I had no problems after the flights which I had discussed first with the specialist I see at the Thrombosis Clinic at The Alfred Hospital here in Melbourne.

He has told me that I can fly overseas, but with provisos such as not sitting too long, walking around regularly, taking plenty of water etc. However part of me thinks that embarking on say a 14-15 hour flight is not going to be a good idea. My thoughts so far are that I would have to try and fly J on long sectors and that creates budget problems, and/or breaking the journey into much smaller sectors, with lots of stopovers where possible and use PE for shorter daytime flights. That strategy could end up costing more than a J direct fare.

At 72 I don't have a lot of flying years left, and still want to travel for family history research in the UK, and occasional family history conferences, along with visits to friends and family. So, if possible I want to be able to keep on travelling.

Are there members here who are flying and have had a PE/DVT event? How are you managing this?

Secondly, the more worrying aspect of all this is Travel Insurance. Is it even possible to get Insurance? I already have other pre-existing conditions and dread every time I have to organise Insurance. Would welcome any comments on that aspect as well, particularly companies where you can actually talk to someone who's not just a kid reading stuff (i.e. computer says NO) off a screen when you call.

Thank you.

Depending on how you go with declaring a pre-existing condition… in the event you can’t get cover it might be worthwhile considering travelling to countries that are part of the reciprocal medicare agreement. This covers the UK, Netherlands and a handful of other European countries.

While that’s not perfect, and won’t cover the journey itself… if you can make if through the flight at least your hospital and medical would be covered in the event of any serious complications. I don’t know how long the increased risk lasts after you complete the flight but you could have options such as a week or two in UK, and if no issues then move on to the rest of your holiday elsewhere, etc

 

[Pushka]

Depending on how you go with declaring a pre-existing condition… in the event you can’t get cover it might be worthwhile considering travelling to countries that are part of the reciprocal medicare agreement. This covers the UK, Netherlands and a handful of other European countries.

While that’s not perfect, and won’t cover the journey itself… if you can make if through the flight at least your hospital and medical would be covered in the event of any serious complications. I don’t know how long the increased risk lasts after you complete the flight but you could have options such as a week or two in UK, and if no issues then move on to the rest of your holiday elsewhere, etc

Insureandgo will cover DVT plus other conditions.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Insureandgo will cover DVT plus other conditions.

ANZ CC also covers ore-existing conditions. The seem to run through the same health check as others such as insure and go, but if they agree to cover you there’s a $75 fee for the assessment, and zero surcharge! (as the policy is not separately paid for).

Allianz was very competitive for a pre-existing heart condition… just $30 to cover travel including the USA!

 

[drron]

All insurers will cover it. you must notify them and there will be an extra premium but that is due to being on Xarelto. You get charged a premium if on Xarelto even if you haven't had a blood clot due to the risk of haemorrhage.

But for the future don't think space travel will be risk free.

An astronaut got a blood clot in space – now our study shows how to best protect crew

Female astronauts may be better off avoiding combined hormonal contraceptive pills to control their periods in space, according to new research.

theconversation.com

 

[Pushka]

All insurers will cover it. you must notify them and there will be an extra premium but that is due to being on Xarelto. You get charged a premium if on Xarelto even if you haven't had a blood clot due to the risk of haemorrhage.

But for the future don't think space travel will be risk free.

An astronaut got a blood clot in space – now our study shows how to best protect crew

Female astronauts may be better off avoiding combined hormonal contraceptive pills to control their periods in space, according to new research.

theconversation.com

In his neck too! Kindred spirit.

 

[aussiejohn]

I find the compression stockings uncomfortable, but wore them for the three domestic flights I have taken, and generally wear them when I go out for my daily walk as advised by the Thrombosis specialist. If it helps I will keep wearing them. He did say that I should wear them on any flights I take. My preference for trying to use J if possible is that it gives me the chance to keep my leg up when I am sitting - other than for take offs and landings of course

Thank you for the encouraging comments about travel insurance. I am beginning feel a little less depressed now that it appears possible that I can continue travelling based on the experience of others here.

 

[prozac]

I find the compression stockings uncomfortable, but wore them for the three domestic flights I have taken, and generally wear them when I go out for my daily walk as advised by the Thrombosis specialist. If it helps I will keep wearing them. He did say that I should wear them on any flights I take. My preference for trying to use J if possible is that it gives me the chance to keep my leg up when I am sitting - other than for take offs and landings of course

Thank you for the encouraging comments about travel insurance. I am beginning feel a little less depressed now that it appears possible that I can continue travelling based on the experience of others here.

Visit someone who makes prosthetics and ask them to fit you for a German compression stocking. They are built tougher than a Mercedes Unimog. Back when I had to wear one I was told it initially needs to be properly sized to your limb by someone who knows what they are doing. i.e.. Not the chemist
It became second nature wearing one and made a big difference to my outcome.

 

[prozac]

All insurers will cover it. you must notify them and there will be an extra premium but that is due to being on Xarelto. You get charged a premium if on Xarelto even if you haven't had a blood clot due to the risk of haemorrhage.

But for the future don't think space travel will be risk free.

An astronaut got a blood clot in space – now our study shows how to best protect crew

Female astronauts may be better off avoiding combined hormonal contraceptive pills to control their periods in space, according to new research.

theconversation.com

When I was on Xeralto for a 12" blood-clot I was advised to cease all motorsport. Didn't ride a motorcycle until cleared 7 months later.

 

[bPeteb]

I am clearly a crazy fatalist. The moment I went onto Eliquis I haven't given the idea of more clots due to flying/travel a second thought. Since I started taking it we've been to Brazil, Japan, China, US, NZ x 3 and lots of domestic and I haven't even thought about compression socks. Hasn't been my time

 

[jpp42]

Glad all of you are getting treatment and still kicking around. My mother died of a PE at age 65, shortly after a longhaul flight in economy where she didn't move around much - not proven it was a DVT from the flight, but seems likely. There was so much more travel in her future, we all thought. I guess my only comment is to follow your doctor's advice carefully, and that DVT/VTE is a real risk and should be taken seriously by anyone with risk factors such as age, weight, etc.

 

[drron]

Glad all of you are getting treatment and still kicking around. My mother died of a PE at age 65, shortly after a longhaul flight in economy where she didn't move around much - not proven it was a DVT from the flight, but seems likely. There was so much more travel in her future, we all thought. I guess my only comment is to follow your doctor's advice carefully, and that DVT/VTE is a real risk and should be taken seriously by anyone with risk factors such as age, weight, etc.

Though it is not just linked to flying. After moving to the Sunshine Coast a few doctors called DVTs the Victorian pensioners syndrome. It peaked in June/July when they hopped in their car and drove straight through to the Coast for winter.

 

[aussiejohn]

Though it is not just linked to flying. After moving to the Sunshine Coast a few doctors called DVTs the Victorian pensioners syndrome. It peaked in June/July when they hopped in their car and drove straight through to the Coast for winter.

I had planned a trip to Queensland and Sydney last October/November to attend two family history conferences which had been booked long before I was rushed off to hospital. Was going to drive to Redcliffe (with stops along the way) for the first conference, then up to Hervey Bay to visit a friend, before slowing wending my way back to Sydney for the second conference, and then home. Thrombosis specialist kiboshed that immediately. If I wanted to go, I had to fly. No driving long distances.

Am now hoping to go to a conference in Richmond, Virginia in the US at the end of May. Next appointment at The Alfred is early Feb, so we will see what they say. Next week I will talk to the insurance companies to get an idea of what sort of premium I am looking at and start the difficult task of finding flights. Have 500k of QFF points, but at this late stage they will be unusable.

 

[Quickstatus]

No driving long distances

Agree with that.