can you travel with itp

can you travel with this, really would like 2 no, thanks

Depends. On all these things- What are your counts, are you bleeding/a bleeder, what does your doctor think, what treatments are you using, where are you going, what kind of medical care is available there?

I've traveled by plane to places like the Bahamas and around the US with counts in the 30s.
Erica

I think it depends on various things - your count and your symptoms versus where you're going, how long for and what you plan to be doing.

I asked my haemo if I'm ok to go to Australia to see family next Christmas and she's given me the thumbs up - all she wants me to do is pop in for a count a few weeks before I fly. But at the moment I'm not on any sort of medication and my count is currently around the 50 mark - I just need to keep it that way.

If you want to go on holiday for a week or so you'll probably be fine - if you want to go off travelling and venturing out to the backwaters of the developing world, you'll probably be advised against it.

Just like the prior two posts say, I would definitely work with your doctor on determining what is ok for you. Also, I would highly encourage you to purchase trip insurance if you are buying a plane ticket anywhere. It costs an additional $15-$20 and usually insures that you get the full value of your ticket back if you run into a medical isssue and can't travel. Definitely check the fine print on each travel insurance policy though.

Hi, we were scheduled for a trip to NYC last week but my platelets were hovering around 6,000 two weeks ago, so my doctor said not a good idea. Since then, I have been (I assume) having a bounce from Rituxan. Up to 139,000 last week so I guess we could have gone but didn't want to take a chance. I had purchased travel insurance months ago and it sure came in handy. Any travel scheduled way in advance I wouldn't do without insurance from this point on. But be sure to check on insurance terms. Some won't insure if you have something prior to purchasing.

I am looking at the bright side right now: the NYC blizzard just hit!

Theresa

I have traveled by plane and car many times, and it hasn't bothered me. I guess it depends on the individual.

I have no issues with travelling, i'm not a bleeder though, i can handle really low counts very well. I'd speak to your doctor, but in the end i'd rather travel and have fun, rather then be stuck at home and missing out on lots of fun things in life

i'm not a bleeder either but my counts get low, i really want to travel but i am more worried about the flying, what is it thats so dangerous about travel with itp, is it the flying or the countires/activities?

Hi melasund,
When I asked my Physician about overseas travel he said the flying wasn't a problem - the insurance was. I am about to travel overseas (from Australia) & managed to get insurance cover for my pre existing condition at an added cost of $300. My latest count was 35.
As the others have said, it depends on your itp situation, the destination & the activities. You'd need reasonable counts, limit physical activities & good medical care available if necessary.
I'm more nervous about getting through several major airports than anything else. Other than that we are visiting several friends, so apart from curbing the red wine I don't intend mountain climbing or white water rafting! Just wish I was 30 years younger . . .
mj

yeah i wouldnt be doing anything overseas that i wouldnt do here. im from australia too! me and my mum have been talking about going to europe, well spain, london, france italy and greece. we want to go for about 4-5 weeks it's the flying i worry about. not the actual fear of flying but if flying will affect my platelets. i know that clser to the time i'll have to talk to a doctor about it but it's nice to know that it's possible to travel without any hospital visits.

Some doctors say not to fly but mine says it's fine at any count. So as long as you ask the right doctor you'll be good to go!

My concern is with being x-rayed at the airport would be the greatest concern for me. It is my understanding that x-rays can be dangerous with low platelets and could cause bleeding to occur.

I've never heard about any problems with xrays and platelets. I travel all the time, every single week these days, and my counts are doing fine. I also traveled when my counts were extremely low and never had any problems.

Can you tell us where you saw the information about xrays?
Erica

Never ever heard that airport x-rays can cause problems for ITPers!!

I never even asked my doctor if I could travel - moved overseas shortly after diagnosis on 60mg of prednisone & with a passport photo that did not look like my bloated fat prednisone face.

I can say with some authority that Xrays don't harm platelets or ITPers. I work in an xray department.

My counts are usually around 10 and I've been to Egypt, France and Denmark. As long as you avoid anything too extreme and don't have any side-effects except for bruising easily it should be fine.

For many years I traveled every week, with ITP, and I never noticed any issue with the Xray machines, or the newer-type body scanners.

Thank you for the positive replies. The security xrays issue hadn't occurred to me & I was a bit anxious after it was raised. I was thinking I'd be covered in bruises after opting for a pat down!! :silly:
mj

My counts are usually in the 40's. This year I have been to South America for just over a month, Fiji and Australia for 3weeks. Now in the process of planing a trip to Sweden-Finland, Germany etc.

I always check with my DR first, he gives me Prednisone and Cyklokapron to take with me just in case, I have any problems. Also take letters from my Dr and Haematologist to show customs which has helped at some places when they see the drugs in my bags, along with a copy of my last CBC.

I have been more worried about any vaccine I may need to have, and have never worried about Flying or Xrays. Plenty of people on this site have said their platelets have gone up at altitude. We went to Machu Picchu and Cuzco (12,000ft) ASL while in Peru, and spent several days there with no problems. I am 68yrs in Sept and I do not want to Die saying I wished I had done this or that in my life when I had the chance.

I always take Travel and Medical insurance, spent a night in hospital in Spain once a few years ago, pleased I learnt a little spanish before we went as you do feel all alone in those situations.

Ask your Dr or Haematologist if you could txt or Email them while your away if you have a problem, mine have said yes to that request. Good luck and enjoy life, you never know you could be run over by a car tomorrow and miss the enjoyment your trip will give you, so I say, why not go, after all there is no guaranties in life.

Benny, you're a gem!
Thanks for the encouragement.
mj

Hi,
I've travelled with counts as low as 11, but unfortunately since my current count is between 3 - 5 my haematologist has strongly recommended that I do not fly. The problem is in the quick pressure changes of take-offs and landings. Apparently everyone of us have small hamorrages in tese situations, but for us with really low counts there aren't enough platelets to clog the hamerrage, and if it's internal and in the brain area - you get the picture.
I have also asked about platelet injections, but in my case they anly last about 5 - 6 hours, so I'm kind of stuck at the moment in Europe from visiting family and friends in Canada.

Ann wrote: Some doctors say not to fly but mine says it's fine at any count. So as long as you ask the right doctor you'll be good to go!