Ahhhh I did it. I actually did it!
For some travelling may be a natural thing to do full of excitement. For me however, the thought of travelling filled me with fear. As you know, I am a catastrophic thinker and my anxiety (well.... yeah I have anxiety problems). Not to mention at the start of the year I was preparing for a trip to Miami and that is when I had a bad experience with IVIG, which deflated my plans and made me even more skeptical about leaving the safety of home. Nevertheless, instead of admitting defeat, I pulled my socks up and even though I was fearful of travelling, I decided to face my fears and go for it.
Travelling with ITP
Travelling with low platelets is no easy feat. It takes a bit of preparation, consideration and determination. You have to be aware of your body more so than the average healthy individual. For example are you going to be exposed to viruses whilst on the plane (some ITP patients like me have a flare in their platelet count when they catch a virus and considering that if someone with the flu is seated near you on a plane there is an 80% chance you will catch that virus - that in itself is a risk that you have to be willing to take). You also have to consider travel insurance, medication whilst travelling, if you are approved to travel (if your platelets are too low the doctor may say no), Deep Vein Thrombosis (yes you have thin blood already because your platelets are low but this doesn’t prevent DVT in fact my doctor suggested because of my condition I may be more acceptable to blood clotting on a plane), emergency backup plan if you have a flare and so much more.
As you can see, there is a lot more to it then what the average healthy individual has to do to prepare for their travelling experience.
Preparation Tips
Tip 1 - plan your travel and talk to your doctor to ensure your platelet count is within a safe range to travel
Tip 2 - do your research on travel insurance and make sure you are covered for ITP
Tip 3 - taking medication with you is important however be sure to check the visiting country regulations and that you can bring your medication into that country
Tip 4 - get a doctor's letter that states your condition and what medication you are bringing with you
Tip 5 - keep all your medication in one bag with your doctor’s letter and in its original packaging. If possible, take your medication on the plane with you (this way if your baggage gets lost you still have everything you need)
Tip 6 - have your doctors contact details on standby!
Tip 7 - Also, pack some first aid essentials (eg. Band-Aids etc.)
Tip 8 - know your surroundings... where is the closest hospital and MD to where you are staying.
Tip 9 - make copies of your passport
Tip 10 - know your body and its warnings signs
Tip 11 - have fun!