guess this is always going to be a tough one, I had multiple bilateral PE's August 07 and did a 3 hour flight in October 07 returning a week later, followed by a 6 hour flight in December returning 2 weeks later.

It worked for me but may not work for you, but if you do fly then make sure you keep well hydrated (not alcohol) try and get up and move every hour and wear compression stockings and you will probably be all right unfortunately in life there are no guarantees.

I was told by a professor of internal medicine not to fly for at least 6 months following my massive bilateral PE. And after that, he said, there are still no guarantees. I don't have any plans for flying. I guess that permission to fly depends also on the severity and extent of your PE, and also on the length of your flight. I would be cautious if I were you.

Hi there,
I was told that it was OK to take a 7 hour flight about 6 months after my PEs - but - as my blood oxygen levels were still low I was advised to arrange supplementary in-flight oxygen. I desparately wanted to visit my son and his family so this spurred me on! There were lots of medical forms to complete but no charge for the oxygen and everything was fine. At least I wasn't afraid of becoming breathless and causing an emergency situation thousands of miles up - and we were given extra legroom bulkhead seats too! If you're worried about breathlessness it might be an option for you - good luck - Sandi x

My cardiologist told me when I was going to fly a 4 hour flight at about 3 months out that he would test my INR the day before and if it was a bit low he'd get me to give myself a shot of Lovenox just before the flight and again on the return flight as a precaution. I didn't have to because it was 2.7. But that was a comforting thing to be told anyways.

Unfortunately I HAD to fly home 2 weeks after having my bilateral pe's, one of which was "massive" because I was in Las Vegas on vacation and then had to fly home after being discharged from the hospital in Vegas. My surgeon, pulmonologist, etc. all said it was fine to fly home because of being on coumadin, the odds were very much in my favor that there would be no more clots...just get up and walk a bit every couple hours. It was a 4 hour flight and I was terrified. Had oxygen and also a wound vac hooked up to 2 incisions. Needless to say they gave me xanax for the flight. Everything was fine but it was the longest 4 hour flight of my life!

I had my clots in early June. I have to fly in 2 weeks. both my general practitioner and hematologist told me it would be fine to fly.
As I am on coumadin, and no longer on birth control, there should be no clot risk.
However they did suggest drinking a lot of water, and definitely moving around, get up and walk, and possibly even compression stockings for longer flights

Everyone is different.

One of the papers I read suggested drinking Gatorade or another electrolyte drink every hour, if you do fly. They found it was superior to water. (I'm not sure about flying myself; hoping I can talk to the hematologist.)

Had my lungs peppered with emboli June 27 with large emboli in both pulmonary arteries as well. I was released to fly back home (a 6 hour flight) July 14. By that time, I was off the low molecular weight Heparin injections and was therapeutic on the coumadin. The Dr. tested my INR the day before the flight and also prescribed an injection to take with me should the value be low. The morning of the flight I got my INR results back and was at 2.4 so did not do the injection. I got up and walked on the plane every hour and drank water constantly. I had no problems and was great to get home. For future flights, the Dr. told me to always test the day before to make sure. Just to echo everyone else, that is not a guarnatee. My Dr. did tell me that I was at a lot less risk than anyone else because of the blood thinner. Hope this all helps for you to make a decision.