Platelet Disorder Support Association

Join Us:

Become a Member

Support Us:

Make a Donation
    Remember Me     Forgot Login?   Sign up   •  Web site Help & Info
!!! DISCUSSION GROUP RULES !!!

1. You must be a registered website user in order to post and comment. Guests may read only.
2. Be kind and helpful, not rude and cynical.
3. Don't advertise or promote anything. You will be banned from the group.
4. Report problems to the moderators. THANK YOU!

vacation with ITP kids

More
15 years 1 month ago #7475 by md_ys9
vacation with ITP kids was created by md_ys9
Hi

2 of my triplets(4 yrs) has auto immune ds (ITP & nephrotic synd).. we r planning for a vacation (to save my sanity). My daughter ITP been a yr with 1 IvIG, few winrho & then "wait & watch" approach with which her count was stuck at 75K for few mths, today her count is 60K :0( apart from bruising & petechiae she does not have much symptoms.

I am wondering how many of u have taken ur ITP kids for vacation(to another country) & what precautions did u take (alert bands/ letters from docs?????????

thanks
More
15 years 1 month ago #7487 by athos45
Replied by athos45 on topic Re:vacation with ITP kids
ITP has never stopped us from going on vacations locally or overseas. Although a few times AFTER the vacation my sons platelet dropped to levels that needed precaution. The worst time i recall happened in HK Disneyland where i thought my son was just acting up and wanted me to carry him. Little did i know that his exhaustion came from a significantly low platelet count. After seeing traces of blood in his urine, we took him to the ER and after aday and a half of IViG, we were able to salvage the vacation and went to Ocean Park in HK.

Now, whenever we travel, we make it a point to make our son take lots of rests in between activities. I also noticed that sleeping late tends to make his count lower than usual.

If your kid has nosebleeds, you have to lubricate his nostrils during plane rides. The combo of the cabin pressure and dryness can cause a nosebleed.
Father of Tonio, 8 yrs old w Chronic ITP
More
15 years 1 month ago #7526 by alisonp
Replied by alisonp on topic Re:vacation with ITP kids
Hi

If your daughter has no real symptoms and a count that is fairly steady at 60K, I would just go for it. We've just flown to Greece and Dougie's count is usually around 30K - sometimes a bit lower, sometimes a bit higher. He was fine, as he was when we previously flew to Spain and he had a count of less than 10K. I ALWAYS make him wear a medical alert band, and we take a letter from his consultant with us. I don't really think either of these things is necessary, but they make me feel better!!!!

If you think there is any real danger of your daughter needing a hospital, it might be a good idea to go to a reasonably developed country and a resort somewhere near a hospital?

Hope you have a great holiday!

Ali :)
More
15 years 1 month ago #7592 by Kaylas mom
Replied by Kaylas mom on topic Re:vacation with ITP kids
Interesting that I stumbled on this discussion today, we are currently on vacation out of state, and Kayla was showing signs of a low count with increase in bloody noses and lots of bruising and petichiae. I wasn't quite sure what to do so I waited until today and called her pediatrician who faxed the order for a platelet count to the local hosp. down here. Unfortunately her count has come back less than 10k (they don't break it down under 10)and we are waiting on hemo. for a plan of action as I type this. I was impressed we were able to get the draw will very little fuss. I am a bit nervous about how things will go if we decide to treat. ERGGGHHHHHH I hate ITP.
Krissy :(
Krissy
Mom to Kayla 10 dx 2/2009 with a count of 1,000
More
15 years 1 month ago #7653 by jupiter1219
Replied by jupiter1219 on topic Re:vacation with ITP kids
I just wanted to agree with what Ali stated before: we ALWAYS have our daughter wear a medical ID bracelet, regardless of where her levels are at or if she's with us or not. You never know and accidents can happen. Also, this may just be me, but we get a lot of sideways glances and comments about her bruising. Somehow, I feel like people seeing the bracelet wards off some of this because they can clearly see she's got a medical issue.
Sabrina
mom to 6 year old DD with Refractory Chronic ITP
diagnosed at 2.5 years old

Treatments tried to date:
IVIg
WinRho
Rituximab - 4 doses
Dexameth - both IV and oral
Prednisone / Solumedrol - too many times to count
Transexamic Acid prior to proceedures

Currently on Promacta, 25mg
More
15 years 1 month ago #7843 by vsessions
Replied by vsessions on topic Re:vacation with ITP kids
I think the idea of a medical band is a really good one because you never know what can happen to you as well. I will keep that in my mind next time.

We took our 4 year old daughter on a trip this summer. She was diagnosed only about 9 months ago. She ranges from 77-13K counts and has IVIg about once a month. We had a treatment right before we left and I printed out the names and locations of hemotologists at every city we visited. It all went fine and she had no ill effects. She was actually slightly higher when we got back and I attribute it to just being a happy kid for a little while.

We worried about the change in altitude (we skipped Pikes Peak in Denver becuase we didn't want a nose bleed) but otherwise she did everything her older brother did.

I hope you have a great time and get some rest!! :)
Moderators: jaycharness
Platelet Disorder Support Association

Donate

About

Stay Informed

Follow Us

IMPORTANT!

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.


Platelet Disorder Support Association
8751 Brecksville Road, Suite 150, Cleveland, Ohio 44141
Phone: 1-87-PLATELET | 877-528-3538 (toll free) | or 440-746-9003
E-mail: pdsa@pdsa.org


© Copyright 1997 - 2025, Platelet Disorder Support Association. All rights reserved.
The Platelet Disorder Support Association is a 501(c)3 organization and donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.


Privacy Policy and Terms of Use