Received bad news from DM doctor

[BETTYDISNEY]

My mom just came back from her Doc. app. and she told him of our upcoming trip and he told he does not want her to travel by plane. She had suffered a blood clot in her leg last year and he said that the planes are not fully pressurized and it would not be good for her to fly. Needless to say we are all devestated because she is a big part of our fun down there, you have to understand my Mom is 80 yrs old and the last time we went she went on everthng including Revenge of the Mummy at US, Splash Mountain etc. So it would not be the same without her.

Has anyone got some advice regarding traveling when you have had a blood clot or on blood thinner? I just don't know if Doctor is just covering his bases or she really should not travel. She is so upset. We are seated in the bulkhead so she would have plenty of room to put up her feet if we bring some sort of stool.

Any advice, PLEASE

 

[Belle1962]

So sorry to hear that. How about train or bus?

Was this your mom's GP or a specialist? Maybe a second opinion?

 

[BETTYDISNEY]

Thank-you! this was her GP. We have already bought our plane tickets. Bus or train wouldnt help because it would be even longer for her and I cannot make such a long trip either I am paraplegic. What a sorry bunch huh

Thank-you for your kind thoughts.

 

[Belle1962]

Keeping pixie dust for you and DM. Keep us updated.

 

[mamaloya]

I am so sorry to hear about your issues.

I believe the doctor is more concerned about the pressure than the lack of movement. The problem with a blood clot, even in the leg, is that it can move with the pressure of air travel. It could wind up in the brain or lungs, which can be fatal.

Boston is a far bit away. I believe there is a train that comes from that way and goes to Sanford (near orlando). If you let the airline know what the doctor said, they MAY refund your money with little or no penalty. Not sure about that though.

Does she still have a clot? I am not sure what specialist to see on that issue. If there was a way to make sure she did not currently have a clot. I would definitely get a second opinion. If he second doc still seems wary, don't take any chances.

While waiting on the second opinion, you may look into your other options. I live in Louisiana, almost to Texas. I had to break our trip up into 3 days (for a 14 hour drive, 850 miles) and only 2 hours in the car with 1 hour breaks in between. For you it is 1300 miles and 22 hours. That would be at least 4 days. A train may take only 1.5 days and you would be able to walk around, maybe even get a sleeper car. I don't know about the cost as I have never done it.

I hope the next doctor gives you better news and all works out for you.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The maximum effective cabin altitude for an airliner is 8,000 feet. This is if it is at or above 40,000 feet. When the aircraft is at lower altitudes the effective cabin altitude is less.

 

[mechurchlady]

She can take the train from Boston to Washington DC or for a longer layover I would take it to New York City. Transfer to the Orlando bound train which is over night. They have handicapped sleeper cars and trains on the east coast usually are single level due to low bridges. If they are told she is disabled then they will bring meals to her. She can walk around and there are places to stretch your legs as well and meals and snacks available.

It is not that bad and is much better than risking the clot moving. I did it in 1998 and they were very nice except one employee. I had fun.

 

[Madonna3]

My mom has trouble with blood clots in her legs too. Normally, she takes flights less than 3 hours and wears her compression stockings. However, unless your mom has a current clot then I don't understand the doctor's concern about not flying at all. Maybe he is worried that she clots easily and could have an undetected clot at time of travel.

I'd ask again. Ask what exactly his concern is and maybe you can offer some suggestions that would reduce her risk. Sometimes, I offer a solution to my physicians that they did not think to present to me which works in favor of my health and satisfies the concern for the ailment.

 

[videogal1]

My mom just came back from her Doc. app. and she told him of our upcoming trip and he told he does not want her to travel by plane. She had suffered a blood clot in her leg last year and he said that the planes are not fully pressurized and it would not be good for her to fly. Needless to say we are all devestated because she is a big part of our fun down there, you have to understand my Mom is 80 yrs old and the last time we went she went on everthng including Revenge of the Mummy at US, Splash Mountain etc. So it would not be the same without her.

Has anyone got some advice regarding traveling when you have had a blood clot or on blood thinner? I just don't know if Doctor is just covering his bases or she really should not travel. She is so upset. We are seated in the bulkhead so she would have plenty of room to put up her feet if we bring some sort of stool.

Any advice, PLEASE

She would not be allowed to use a footstool in a bulkhead seat. Everything has to be put up in the bins overhead...I can't tell you how many times an attendant has casually glanced at my pile of service dog and insisted that I put my "luggage" in an overhead bin...until she realized that it moved...Can your mom wear TEDs? Would she be able to make a couple of marches up and down the aisle? Is the trip worth her life?

 

[pumpkinboy]

Well, if her life is at stake, it may be prudent for her and one companion to take the train. From Boston to NY or DC it would be the regular train during the day, then change trains (in NY or DC) to the Kissimmee bound train and get an accessible sleeper car (a roomette perhaps?). 30+ hours on the train is not as convenient as 2.5 hours on a plane (and probably more expensive), but if her health is at stake and you really want her with you...

Good luck with your planning!

 

[Vjale]

Good luck to you all in whatever you plan to do. I will say a prayer that it will work out for you.

 

[DisOrBust]

You need a second opinion.

If she has no current "blood clot" she could be put on plavix for the trip as an option. I would contact a hematologist/oncologist for a 2nd opinion. The easy answer is to say don't fly but that isn't necessarily the only answer.

 

[BETTYDISNEY]

I cannot begin to thank each and every one of you who has sent me good wishes and advice You are all a very special bunch! I am sorry I have not respoonded to each one individually but, as you can imagine it has been pretty over here trying to figure our next step.

I will resspond to those of you who asked if she has an active clot. She does NOT have any. As a matter of fact my visiting nurse came today and I told her the predicament and she looked at my moms legs and said that she cannot see any active clots. She says that what she sees are superficial veins, but nothing hard. She told us she does not underastand why the Dr. said that because my mom is on Coumidin (Spelling? ) and also wears compression socks all day. She suggested walking as much as she can through the flight and drinking lots of water to keep hydrated.

I believe my next step is to contact her Dr. on Monday and see what he says.I told my DH that I cant leave her behind and she refuses to take a train because she says "That will really kill me"

Meanwhile, I am also having some health issues. My Dr. wants me to have a colonoscopy because I am having some rectal bleeding and my mom had colon cancer 3 years ago where she had her colon removed. She says it might just be internal hemmoroids because I have to strain so much to go to the bathroom. I am so scared I saw what my DM went through. I have no clue how I would even do the prep for the colonscopy

Anyways, one day at a time

 

[Ohio Disney Girl]

Hang in there! I am 32 and had similar issues requiring a sigmoidoscopy last year. Scared me to death, but ended up being just a fissure. Apparently, these are VERY common. FYI- if the bleeding is bright red, ask if a sigmoidoscopy is an option rather than a colonoscopy. This only examines the lower colon and does not require as extensive prep or anesthesia. I drove myself home from the outpatient procedure!

I would not risk a clot breaking free in you DM, but if she has none currently, I would get a 2nd opinion for sure as if her health is that fragile and Disney is what she wants to do, I'd try to find a way to make that happen as safely as possible. I try to live with no regrets.....

 

[SueM in MN]

I was gone, but you got a lot of the same advice you already received.
I would suggest asking the doctor the specific issues he is concerned about - what they are and if there would be anything you could do to make air travel safe enough that he would not be as concerned.
There may be things we don't know about - such as how easily she has clotted in the past, etc. that he can explain his concerns about.

 

[zumbergc]

don't they do an utrasound or something similiar, to scan over the legs, to look for active clots?

They thought mom might have had some serious clots during chemo, and they had that done rather quickly at the hospital. I would think if he thought she had an active clot, he should verify it.

About the prep for colonoscopy. I talked to a friend about this recently. He suggested bringing the tv, and dvd or vcr into the restroom, and make it a movie day. He also suggested you load up on vitamins after the colonoscopy, because it cleans everything out. Also all your acidopholis the friendly guys in your digestive track.

Hope everything gets resolved so you can travel.

 

[chirurgeon]

Meanwhile, I am also having some health issues. My Dr. wants me to have a colonoscopy because I am having some rectal bleeding and my mom had colon cancer 3 years ago where she had her colon removed. She says it might just be internal hemmoroids because I have to strain so much to go to the bathroom. I am so scared I saw what my DM went through. I have no clue how I would even do the prep for the colonscopy

Anyways, one day at a time

Betty, I'm sorry your Mom and you are going through so much. I have had 3 colonoscopies in the past 2 years. I am a rectal cancer survivor. The prep is not fun, I will not lie, but I would recommend the Fleet Phospha Soda. It is over the counter. You take one 1 1/2 oz bottle mixed in a clear liquid and a few hours later you take another one. They don't taste good, but it is much better than the gallon stuff. PM me if you would like the name of my dr. He just moved to Boston (I am not happy he left me, but I don't need him any more thankfully). He is one of the best in the country. Please PM me if you have any questions.

Kim

 

[vafarmmom]

Just wanted to say that I have multiple, bilateral pulminary embolisms. I was on coumadin (still am) and lovenox. I was cleared to travel by plane to wdw by the pulminologist, hemotoligist, and pcp as long as I moved every hour, 1 month after hospital discharge. I made arrangements for oxygen, a scooter, and seroiusly modified our plans, but all went well.

Everytime they thought I might have a clot, they do an ultrasound of my legs and a d-dimer blood test.

 

[Sparkleradmd]

Yes, I'm a doctor and first of all let me correct a few things on the previous comments.

First of all, only acute (new) clots can be dislodged from the leg or pelvic veins and they go to the LUNGS, not the brain (unless one has some sort of congenital shunt between the heart chambers).

Second, you cannot tell just by looking at someone's legs whether they have a clot or not. Superficial clots, the ones you might see or feel on the surface of the leg, are not dangerous and can't dislodge to travel to the lungs. Only clots in the deep veins of the legs (and they are truly deep and beyond sight or feel) can do that.

Finally, while there have been isolated reports of airline cabin pressure being related to clots, it's never been proven or confirmed. We are talking here of long haul flights at very high altitudes, not short flights at lower altitudes.

The biggest risk factor for anyone to develop a clot while traveling, whether it's on a plane, bus, train, or car, is a long period of inactivity. Truck drivers get clots. So do roofers who squat for hours at a time.

Your family member is on a blood thinner so she's somewhat protected. The worst thing you could do is to ditch a shorter airline trip with a longer car, bus, or train trip. Have her wear her stockings and either get up and walk the aisle now and then or do some leg pumps or foot pumps every now and then. Even if she just stands up from time to time and flexes her feet at the ankles or does a few tippy toe exercises, she'll have the blood running out of her legs instead of pooling there.

If she has post-thrombotic syndrome, all those hours of walking in the park may cause he leg to swell. Have you thought of renting her a scooter so she can navigate the park without having to suffer too much discomfort in her legs? More and more people are doing that these days.

I don't know what her GP was thinking but I'm sorry that he very nearly jeapardized this woman's Disney World Trip! I would not hesitate to take her to WDW on a plane. That clot from a year ago is either long gone or has been incorporated into the walls of her vein and now has become a part of her venous system. It isn't going to go ANYWHERE, but SHE should go to WDW!

 

[BETTYDISNEY]

Yes, I'm a doctor and first of all let me correct a few things on the previous comments.

First of all, only acute (new) clots can be dislodged from the leg or pelvic veins and they go to the LUNGS, not the brain (unless one has some sort of congenital shunt between the heart chambers).

Second, you cannot tell just by looking at someone's legs whether they have a clot or not. Superficial clots, the ones you might see or feel on the surface of the leg, are not dangerous and can't dislodge to travel to the lungs. Only clots in the deep veins of the legs (and they are truly deep and beyond sight or feel) can do that.

Finally, while there have been isolated reports of airline cabin pressure being related to clots, it's never been proven or confirmed. We are talking here of long haul flights at very high altitudes, not short flights at lower altitudes.

The biggest risk factor for anyone to develop a clot while traveling, whether it's on a plane, bus, train, or car, is a long period of inactivity. Truck drivers get clots. So do roofers who squat for hours at a time.

Your family member is on a blood thinner so she's somewhat protected. The worst thing you could do is to ditch a shorter airline trip with a longer car, bus, or train trip. Have her wear her stockings and either get up and walk the aisle now and then or do some leg pumps or foot pumps every now and then. Even if she just stands up from time to time and flexes her feet at the ankles or does a few tippy toe exercises, she'll have the blood running out of her legs instead of pooling there.

If she has post-thrombotic syndrome, all those hours of walking in the park may cause he leg to swell. Have you thought of renting her a scooter so she can navigate the park without having to suffer too much discomfort in her legs? More and more people are doing that these days.

I don't know what her GP was thinking but I'm sorry that he very nearly jeapardized this woman's Disney World Trip! I would not hesitate to take her to WDW on a plane. That clot from a year ago is either long gone or has been incorporated into the walls of her vein and now has become a part of her venous system. It isn't going to go ANYWHERE, but SHE should go to WDW!

I can't begin to thank-you I even printed your post so my mom could read it. I also thought it was a little extreme what the Dr. said and she even told him we were going the end of January (cooler) and that we rented a house where she would stay to rest most of the time. We were definitely renting a scooter for, She probably will only go to the parks a couple of days and just hangout on the lanai by the pool for the rest. Again, thank-you for your post which I noticed was your first. I hope we have you around the boards for long time.