Reply With QuoteSorry to hear about your Dad.
Re flying to NY, gawd!
I would certainly see his doctor but I would worry about DVT etc and I'm sure insurance would be very difficult.
Good luck and I hope it all works out.
Quick question to those that know:
My dad suffers from very bad circulation in his lower legs. He's had stents / vein transplants previously. He is currently awaiting surgery to open up a stent at the top of one of his legs that has closed up again. This has been said to be urgent.
I am wanting to fly him over to New York next month as a surprise but obviously the issue of long haul flights comes into it. I can check with his doctor for his specific circumstances before we go but I don't want to mention it to him and then subsequently disappoint him if it's a definite 'no way'.
Thanks in advance.
Sorry to hear about your Dad.
Re flying to NY, gawd!
I would certainly see his doctor but I would worry about DVT etc and I'm sure insurance would be very difficult.
Good luck and I hope it all works out.
Cheers,
Neil.
Originally Posted by Dave O'Sullivan
Parents eh, who'd have them? My father in law has a full set of stents, and he can't practically get travel insurance any more - the premiums are extremely high. That sounds like it could be an issue travelling to the US - I assume he'd want medical insurance.
This is my worry.
And thanks for your thoughts.
- - - Updated - - -
Yes, insurance is a concern too.
Given what you have written i would say a no no.
This^^^^ it's nice to do things for our families but it really doesn't seem to add up.
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."
'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.
It is all about risk of blood clots such as DVT which could then develop into a Pulmonary Embolism (which can be fatal) developing which seems that it could be very high.
He would really need to speak to a Haematologist rather than just his GP to discuss his options because he needs to understand his risk level and which blood thinning options would be suitable and reduce this risk to an acceptable level for both doctor and patient (if possible).
This would also be useful when applying for travel insurance.
In my personal opinion it seems that a ‘surprise’ trip of such length is not really possible or even in your Father’s best interest due to his high risk. However, a planned trip may still be an option following any outputs from a discussion with his specialist.
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Thanks all.
I sort of knew the answer already but it's nice to hear someone else say it!
Travel insurance and flying restrictions are an inevitable consequence of getting older.
Generally speaking, if you are in good health, reasonable travel insurance is easy to get up to the age of 75 and there after the premiums rocket.
You have to plan your life accordingly and accept the fact that once you get old, swanning around the world isn't as easy as it once was.
An old person with health issues is akin to an 18yr old lad trying to insure a Porsche, it's possible but the insurers are going to squeeze until the pips squeak.
Also GPs and Doctors are aware of the consequences of giving bad advice, so they play safe and always recommend caution.
In truth, they don't want an old man with a medical condition up 38,000ft in the air on a 5 - 6 hour journey.
Basically, it ain't going to happen.
Especially one with a medical condition likely to be exacerbated by being at 38,000 feet.
Two thoughts straight off.
When my father was ill the doctor wouldn’t/couldn’t talk to me.
What about a cruise ship to New York, I don’t even know if they do that but it’s possible.
It’s a risk vs benefit thing isn’t it. Clearly, there is a vast increase in chance of a DVT/PE on a long flight in your dad. I am not sure any doctor would quantify that risk for you, it wouldn’t really be possible other than saying the risk is much higher than general public. But that risk could be worth it if it is something you really want to do. Being a doctor, if I was asked, I would give that information and hand the responsibility back to the person flying to make the decision, because it is their decision.
Your doctor may consider something like Clexane or Aspirin for the flight but that would be another risk vs benefit decision due to risk of bleeding.
Last edited by watchstudent; 4th May 2019 at 07:11.
If, worst case, there was a problem on the flight, how would you feel? If there's an issue on the way out and your father needs medical treatment over there it's going to be very expensive, and will need to be sorted out before he can come home. It's a great thought, but maybe not the best idea.
I agree with the overall general advice and the natural caution us doctors tend to lean towards. The statement about bleeding is an example of this tendency. This is why you need the advice of a specialist, haematologist because they are more likely to have a more in-depth understanding of the risk benefits due to their solid understanding of Anticoagulation.
Whilst there is always a risk-benefit to any medication, the use of Clexane (enoxaparin which is an injectable low molecular weight heparin), aspirin or even the now 11 year old DOACs have such a low risk of any bleeding including minor bleeds such as nose bleeds that it is such a minor point of concern in this discussion when compared to the clearly high risk of DVT/PE which could be life changing!
The other point to note is that as none of the drugs above have strong evidence for use in this type of situation and therefore it is unknown what their actual risk-benefits would be in this situation and it would generally be extrapolated from the findings of their own key studies and evidence in the literature! Hence, why please speak to a specialist rather than take our advice!
I just wouldn’t risk it,have you enough time to take a cruise instead?
Personally, I am still unconvinced about greater risk. A few years back I watched NASA documentary about retired astronauts (in their 70s) completing a very dangerous mission in outer space, can't remember what they exactly did now, so surely the risk can be managed with the advances of modern medicine and rocket science/aviation technology like increased cabin pressure or flying at a lower altitude, say 10,000ft?
Fas est ab hoste doceri
The risk is more to do with the immobility involved in a long flight than the actual environment when flying.
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Just another angle, as a father of well-meaning children myself. I think in your father's situation I wouldn't want to end up on the wrong side of the Atlantic with a major medical issue. If my kids had kindly planned the trip you have in mind, lovely thought as it is, I probably would be a little miffed they hadn't talked about it first, given the circumstances. There may also be some medical issues your dad knows about but hasn't told you. So I feel that's another reason to start the communications.
Surely one can walk up and down the plane once the seat belts signs are off and even do squats if health allows? Plus there is an added benefit to it, if you go to the back of the plane there is always at least one (sans BA naturally) a very pretty members of the cabin crew who would be happy to chat with you that alone would benefit the lower body circulation through the moderate increase in blood pressure?
Fas est ab hoste doceri
You may find that the insurance premiums are sufficient to put you off....
With thanks to all the answers,
The idea has been binned. As said, not worth the risk.
I dunno Dave, you sound a bit hesitant. C’omon chaps, lets talk Dave out of it.
Fas est ab hoste doceri
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