I live 5 minutes from 6 flags and always get a season pass. I love roller coasters. I was told that going on them was fine, if I remember correctly. I am pretty sure I asked because I do love them so much. I didn't get a season pass last summer (PE was in April) I just figured I'd take the summer off from anything too crazy, but plan on getting one this year. I can't wait!! I don't know anything about scuba diving or heights though.

Hi, no you shouldnt scuba dive with blood clots , as I scuba dive I can explain why if anyone is interested.

Altitudes are different, at extreme heights above sea level you could experience some pain although most of us will never be at these heights, if you already live high above sea level you should experience no problems what so ever.

The main problem with heights isnt so much the height itself but the speed that you get to the height, Im assuming that you reach the 750ft by elevator .even though 750ft isnt extremely high if you reach it quick you may experience some pain as your lugs will expand slightly more than at ground level, the pain you were feeling was probably down to this and shouldnt cause you any problems other than discomfort.you could try taking deep breaths for a few mins before and during the accent, it may help.

Last year after a lung injury, the cause of my PEs, I rode my motorbike to the swiss alps. During this trip we were regularly between different altitudes, often a few thousand metres difference, and at the higher altitudes i regularly experienced discomfort in my lung.

As for rollercoasters I would seriously advise you to copy/paste this link in to your browser and make your own mind up.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/01/000112075818.htm

I do know what you mean about not wanting to live your life in a box, me neither. As I have said elsewhere just about everything I enjoy doing I have been told not to do and Im sure this is getting me down as much as the illness. Im currently deciding what to do about it as it feels as though someone has pushed the pause button on my life. One thing for sure life is for living!!!!!!!!!!!

AJ, hey there, was just wondering... is this the same thing as being on an airplane? i posted something AGES ago, saying I knew flying was a risk, bbut was it because of the altitude or just because you're cooped up and not moving around... so yeah, i dunno, you got any advice on that one? cos everyone keeps saying its just cos you're not moving and cramped up, but i thought that surely with the pressure differences that it would cause some strange behaviour in the lungs/blood... or does it not as you're in a pre-pressurised cabin? hmmm...

Hi shyla, the diving issues are completely different, I have been asked about the diving issues in a message so I will copy and message you.

As for flying the jury is still out, the main issues are undoubtedly due to inactivity as people end up with DVT for various reasons linked to inactivity like, not moving on long haul flights, lack of mobility after or during illness, people who are confined to their bed, people confined to wheel chairs, even recorded episodes in long train, car and motorbike journeys and would you believe even in people who spend long periods of time with one leg crossed across the other. The general advice is take regular breaks and exercise your limbs where possible. I say limbs as DVT as even started in peoples arms.

Drs still dont fully understand the causes of DVT but flying is thought to be the bigger risk as you tend to be in cramped conditions, I often feel theyre inhumane being 6 feet tall, LOL.

Its thought that the pressurised cabin could make the problem worse. Even though the cabi is pressurised it is only at a higher pressure than the outside when your at a high altitude, its actually at a lower pressure than when you entered and thats why your feet swell. Because of the low pressure your veins will expand too and this may add to the problem as they may trap blood when they return to normal size, tests on clotting factors under aeroplane pressures have been carried out and no significant differences were found. Its also thought that the terrible air quality doesnt help, believe it or not the air quality was better when you could smoke as it had to be replaced more frequently, and now they recirculate more of it as its cheaper and the fact they recirculate it is why if someone has a cough on the plane we all end up with a one.

As for flying with clots or PEs your best off asking your dr, I asked mine and he said not yet maybe in a few months but everyones at a different place in their recovery. When I was in hospital I was planning a month of doing bugger all in lanzarote to recover but Dr said no, and then INR said not a chance, then as I found out more about my condition the anxiety said no, looks like Im confined to doing bugger all in sunny U.K for now. LOL. Hope this helps.

Andy.

yeah, that makes a lot on sense, thanks aj!!

This topic is an example of why I LOVE this forum. I learn so much about so many things from you guys. It's so cool.

I wish I knew all of you in person under different circumstances!

I have now been asked several times via message if I can explain the scuba issues , so here goes.

When diving your body experiences pressure pushing in equal directions all around your body. As its equal it normally causes no problems as body tissue and cells are mainly made of fluid so they dont compress.
Your lungs however contain air and as you dive your lungs compress and you breath in a smaller volume of air, although its a smaller volume it contains more molecules as its compressed air your breathing..

If any of this compressed air becomes trapped due to the clot while diving it will cause problems as you ascend because it contains more molecules, so as you surface it will expand. This expansion can cause the clots to dislodge which as you no can be fatal. The clots dislodging are actually the best case scenario, the worst been a condition called pulmonary barotraumas, this is when the air expands as you surface and it ruptures small air sacks in your lungs forcing air it to your blood. With this condition you may drown or you can die within minutes and it can happen in just a few feet of water whilst breathing compressed air.

If you already have trapped air due to clots, anywhere in the body, you could end up with a condition called nonpulmonary barotraumas. This is when trapped air compresses and damages surrounding tissue and this can be the case due to a clot anywhere in the body.

Hopefully you will be clot free for your trip, please discuss the diving with your doctor before going even if your clot free and also tell the dive instructor at the time of booking, again even if your clot free. If you are given the all clear please dont worry as nobody will allow you to dive if its not safe for you to do so and make sure your dive master is PADI registered as they are by far the best.

Finally if you are given the all clear please do it, its defiantly one of the best experiences you will have and as soon as I get the all clear I will be back in the water.

Andy.