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Traveling with ITP

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14 years 8 months ago #12664 by luvcritters
Traveling with ITP was created by luvcritters
I'm new to ITP. How do folks manage travel with ITP? Are there any concerns with flying (exposure to viruses), cruises (being a long distance from a hospital or personal MD), dangers of injuries (sports, hiking, boating, etc), going out of the country? Is it preferable to stay close to home? Or do folks continue with their usual life enjoyments like traveling? Right now, I am kind of afraid to get to far away. Is this usual?
  • Sandi
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  • Sandi Forum Moderator Diagnosed in 1998, currently in remission. Diagnosed with Lupus in 2006. Last Count - 344k - 6-9-18
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14 years 8 months ago - 14 years 8 months ago #12666 by Sandi
Replied by Sandi on topic Re: Traveling with ITP
A lot depends on what your counts are, where you are going and what you respond to. Some people continue to travel and some do not.

I went on a trip to NC with counts in the 20's (about 550 miles). I was on Prednisone at the time and knew I responded, so I went for a week and never gave it a thought.

Some people make prior arrangements, such as finding a hospital close by and taking a letter from their doctor. People who have had ITP for a long time usually just go ahead and do what they want because they are familiar with the whole thing and know what their body can handle. Some prefer to stick close to home; some treat before they go to ensure higher counts during the trip....it all depends on the person and their situation.

There are some people here who travel for a living. Maybe they can chime in.
  • karenr
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  • Diagnosed in 2000, at 59, after being on moderately high doses of NSAIDs for arthritis. Splenectomy and rituxan both failed (2004). Did well on prednisone till summer 2018--then terrible reactions. Promacta since 11-19.
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14 years 8 months ago #12731 by karenr
Replied by karenr on topic Re: Traveling with ITP
It has never occurred to me to cancel a trip because of my ITP, even when my platelets were very low. I do respond to prednisone, however, so my hema would up my dosage before I left--and I couldn't taper down while I was gone because I wasn't getting tested. I've left home for foreign trips and fairly long trips--3-5 weeks--with low platelets. Once I went to Nova Scotia with 5K--on a dose of 30 mg. pred. I also had to take some Ambien to sleep sometimes! I've never worried traveling to Central American countries either--and they have less reliable health care than Canada.

However, I'm a senior citizeness and don't engage in dangerous sports when I travel!
14 years 8 months ago #12747 by
Replied by on topic Re: Traveling with ITP
I've canceled a couple of trips when my platelets dropped below 5k.
Not because of the low count, but because I am not at all pleasant to be around when wired-up on a 5-day course of Dex to bump the count up.
Been over a year since my last course of Dex though...Promacta has been working as advertised.
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The Platelet Disorder Support Association does not provide medical advice or endorse any medication, vitamins or herbs. The information contained herein is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice and is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment, discontinuing an existing treatment and to discuss any questions you may have regarding your unique medical condition.


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