Pulmonary Embolism Support Group

By far the most common form of pulmonary embolism is a thromboembolism, which occurs when a blood clot, generally a venous thrombus, becomes dislodged from its site of formation and embolizes to the arterial blood supply of one of the lungs. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, pain during breathing, and more rarely circulatory instability and death.

1,102 Members
7,473 Posts
0 Online
Lungs & Respiration
/ Pulmonary Embolism Support Group

Travel

shevvy
shevvy

How long after you had your PE did you travel and what did you do on your trip? I'm supposed to travel in two weeks and my doctor said that the blood thinners are protecting me so I shouldn't be worried. She said that i just need to stay hydrated while there. I can't help but feel nervous still. 

rmb
rmb
Your doc is right. Drink lots of water, try to get up and move around, but yeah, if you're on anticoagulants, you'll be fine. Enjoy your trip!!
shevvy
shevvy
Thanks a lot!
soola
soola
My doc wouldn't let me travel more than 2 hours from him/the hospital for the first few months. I was initially on xarelto for the first month when they only thought I had multiple DVTs. When they found multiple PEs, they put me on 150ml. of lovenox. I was 'cleared' to take road trips after being on thinners for 4 months, but yes -- stop every 2 hours and walk around and drink plenty of fluids. (which of course, makes you stop every 2 hours to find a bathroom!)
drpenni
drpenni
Left hospital after 3 days last Wed following discovery of multiple bilateral PEs. Am on the 21 day, 2x per day xarelto. Docs cleared me to continue with previously planned Disney vacation with my family. Told me to take more breaks than usual so we set a timer for every hour and a half for stops. We departed early Sat morning and after LOTS of I95 traffic and multiple stops, made it to Orlando safe and sound. First time in forever we actually sat down inside restaurants for meals rather than hitting the drive-thrus and plowing on. Except for being a little winded, it's going well so far. I am taking it VERY easy though. Not even Disney is going to stress me out this time.

Very thankful to find this group....lots of fears and concerns alleviated.
echo86
echo86
Hi,

After my first PE in May 2014, I travelled in July 2014 for the first time. It was a short flight, 1.5 hr, and then again in August 2014 for a 3 hr flight.
At the time I was still on Coumadin. Both times my doctors gave me heparin shots as extra precautions, but I am sure I would have been fine anyway (the flights were also very short).

After my second PE in November 2015, the first flight I took was three weeks later. I was then on Xarelto, and I did not do anything special.

Nowadays I am on Eliquis. When I fly for more than 1 hour, and especially if I fly overseas, I make sure to drink plenty of water and to stand up regularly. Moving your legs and doing simple movements such as flexing/circling your feet also help. I have also been told never to fly with boots or other constrictive footwear. I usually remove my shoes on longer flights and just wear socks (unless I want to stand up and walk).

Do not worry too much and enjoy your trip!
Posts You May Be Interested In
  • GreenEyes727

    Caricatures

    Posted by: GreenEyes727
    Last Reply: Tired
    6
    Look at what my best friend did with my picture!
  • GreenEyes727

    Truths

    Posted by: GreenEyes727
    Last Reply: GreenEyes727
    14
    We all have 24 hours in a day.  How we spend these hours is important.  Watching a little bit of a video about how sitting affects us made me aware of how much sitting and laying down I do.  Gonna have to work on that.Your turn.  Tell me another truth.