[hopeful27]

How safe is it to fly in January with myeloma?

by hopeful27 on Fri Nov 07, 2014 10:08 am

Have any of you asked your doctor if it's safe to fly? One doctor did not advise it, the specialist said go ahead (although from my experience he seems more liberal in terms of what my mom should/should not do). We were looking to fly in January, but since that is such a high time for sickness, should we avoid flying?

Thanks.

[Ron Harvot]

Re: How safe is it to fly in January with myeloma?

by Ron Harvot on Fri Nov 07, 2014 5:08 pm

I have never had an issue with flying and sickness and I fly regularly all year round on business trips. Make sure you have had your annual flu shot and that all your immunizations are up to date. Unless you are prone to get infections very easily, I would not worry about it.

Ron

[antelope1225]

Re: How safe is it to fly in January with myeloma?

by antelope1225 on Fri Nov 07, 2014 11:16 pm

I flew in September, which was about 22 months after my SCT. I wore a mask and gloves (more people are wearing masks, so it doesn't feel so weird), and I took a bath as soon as I got to where I was going and when I got home. I still got sick, but I got over it.

So, how long after her SCT?
How is her White Blood Cell count?

[rumnting]

Re: How safe is it to fly in January with myeloma?

by rumnting on Sat Nov 08, 2014 10:37 am

My husband will be flying in Jan. He also just flew home from Mayo when he had something like 300 neutrophils!
Besides a mask, also bring some sanitizer wipes along. Wipe off the tray table and arm rests. Needless to say: frequent hand washing and/or hand sanitizer.

[vicstir]

Re: How safe is it to fly in January with myeloma?

by vicstir on Sat Nov 08, 2014 5:50 pm

Hey Hopeful,

I had planned my 40th birthday (mid-life crisis tour) to New Zealand paid and booked for it all then found out I had multiple myeloma. I started treatment and was 3 cycles in when my trip was due to proceed.

My doctor prescribed me some antibiotics just in case I got sick whilst I was away. Being on the plane was where I would most likely pick up a bug. Which I did. So I took the antibiotics as soon as I felt off and was able to enjoy my entire trip.

In reality I think the skydive, white water sledge, canyon swing and other activities we did were of more danger to me than the flying.

So take the flight.

Vicki

[Jetlag]

Re: How safe is it to fly in January with myeloma?

by Jetlag on Sun Nov 09, 2014 8:35 am

FYI - As a long time airline employee, I can tell you the worst thing to touch on a commercial airplane is the lavatory door handles. Hundreds of passengers touch those handles during the flight and likely not in the most sanitary situations. So, after you use the lavatory, consider being careful not to touch your eyes, face, etc until YOU have had an opportunity to cleanse YOUR hands afterwards.

Just saying ...

Kevin

[NStewart]

Re: How safe is it to fly in January with myeloma?

by NStewart on Mon Nov 10, 2014 1:16 pm

I also have flown many times since diagnosis, treatment, ASCT, and relapse with no problems. The first few times after my transplant my oncologist gave me a prescription of antibiotics to take along with me in case I got sick while on my trip. But I never had to use them. This past May I was in the UK and Europe for the entire month and flew between countries. The only time that I was anxious was on one flight where the woman in the middle seat was obviously ill - sneezing, coughing, and unable to keep her head up. She had her head on the seat table the entire flight. I had no ill effects from sitting next to her.

I haven't taken any extra sanitary precautions, like wearing a mask or wiping down my seat, table, etc. I will sanitize my hands after touching the lavatory door handles from now on. I had never considered that one.

One of the things that I have found important for me when traveling is to be really aware of my fatigue level. I do need to allow for the fact that I don't have the stamina that I once had. During my May trip I found that I needed to take the morning off from activity a few times because I was on the verge of becoming too fatigued. But traveling is so enjoyable to me and reaffirms that even with myeloma I don't have to limit my life completely, but can enjoy it with some considerations.

Nancy in Phila

[darnold]

Re: How safe is it to fly in January with myeloma?

by darnold on Mon Nov 10, 2014 7:32 pm

I have also flown many times, wearing a mask. At first, when I didn't wear a mask, I got a respiratory infection every time. I've flown twice so far this year, however, with no problems.

I always ask my oncologist if it's ok to fly while I'm in treatment. When I was in remission, I didn't ask -- just took precautions.

The advice about wipes to use on the plane is a good one that I plan to start doing. I had recently read an article about a study of germs on planes. It was disgusting -- germs found on the drop-down tray, on the arms of the seats, and especially in the magazine holder. Some of the germs found during the study included MRSA.

Dana A

[antelope1225]

Re: How safe is it to fly in January with myeloma?

by antelope1225 on Mon Nov 10, 2014 9:29 pm

I heard that the magazine holder is the worst for germs, too! (Though lavatory handles makes sense).

So, I will not touch the Sky Mall magazine next time I fly.

[Eric Hofacket]

Re: How safe is it to fly in January with myeloma?

by Eric Hofacket on Mon Nov 10, 2014 9:49 pm

For a reference point, I have constant low WBC cell count since my SCT from the maintenance Revlimid. In the three times I have flown I have gotten sick twice just after or during the trip. On one of those trips it was one of the nightmare travel days all the flights across the country were backed up with long delays in airports packed with people sleeping everywhere and trash overflowing and the planes not really being cleaned between landings. I remember looking though at this through my myeloma perspective that the plans and airports where just filthy dirty places with no place to hide and I knew I was doomed to get sick.

If you can plan travel to minimize time in airports and on planes use smaller airports if possible I would do that.

I really do not like traveling unless it is really necessary.