Flying while on tamoxifen

Well that is a mixed bag of answers

Can I strongly suggest one of you posts in the Ask an Expert  section where you will find a nurse with access to lots of current information

It wont necessarily get a reply until early next week but post it today

Jacmatholmad sooner the better

Hugs

Leolady56

We went to OZ & NZ this year and Mexico 2 years ago and it was never mentioned that taking letrozole while flying, and I checked with my BCN before booking.

It was suggested (strongly) that I take low dose aspirin every 4 hours while flying. Flight socks are essential . 

Hi my surgeon and consultant oncologist knows I’m going to OZ  USA  on tamoxifen I’ve got flight socks and arm with mit stocking they said have a lovely time going to drink fluids walk around etc I’m allergic to aspirin so can’t take it.

no one suggested not a good idea or it would have been cancelled. 

 I guess all things are possible. Pharmacist may be good to ask they know medication interactions etc I’m going to ask mine

xx

This is so confusing ! 

So I picked up my first precription of tamoxifen yesterday but was told not to start it yet as I've flown recently,

I was told to stop  4 wks before and 4wks after.

Short flight should be ok ie Paris and to wear flight socks. 

On coming home I realised I'm flying again in September so on those guide lines there's no room to start them before I fly again meaning I wouldn't actually get to take my first dose until near end of October. 

Going by this if I flew twice a year I'd be having 4 months of no tamoxifen a year which seems odd to me.

Every thing I've  read seems to be of different opinion 

Will be interested in further replies 

Xx

Hi again,

ive sent a message to ask the expert, thanks

as I understand the problem with tamoxifen and I’m not sure if this is for letrozole too is the risks of blood clots which when flying is obviously compounded.

i think from what I have heard and read so far I will just take all the precautions normally given to anyone rat risk egarding DVT and flying

wear flight compression socks

wear my lymphedema sleeve

take aspirin

walk around

drink lots 

i have read through the leaflet again and nowhere does it mention additional risk when flying.

thanks all for your replies and happy holidays xx

Hi all, I flew twice to lanzarote while on tamoxifen, I was told to wear compression socks and take 75 mg aspirin daily 2 days before and while I was there and stop after I got back. Had no problems at all xx

love and hugs Jenny xx

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_experiences/ask_the_expert/ask_a_nurse/f/ask_a_nurse/165070/tamoxifen-and-flying?Page=0#1236084

This was the answer I recieved form ask an expert.

im not going to stop taking tamoxifen but will make sure I take all precautions to avoid DVT. Have just realised I’m actually flying to 3 different places this August. Definitely lucky me. Glasgow on Friday, New Youk next week and Malta  middle of August. This BC recovery is not keeping this girl down

Although may need to crash when kids go back to school in Sept....will be my respite!

enjoy all you’re destinations this summer people

Hi

II’ve  just come back from Florida and stopped tamoxifen 2 weeks before I went and started it a week  after I came back this is the 2nd time as I am in my 4th year of taking it, this was in the advice of my oncologist x only problem I’ve had is got a period just as I started taking it again but didn’t got the side affects like when I 1st started x 

Enjoy your holiday x

Sara

Hi

thought id update you on the flight!!

Spoke with GP before I left and he said that the risk is only increased whilst on Tamoxifen if you are already predisposed to blood clots in the first place. He said taking 75mg aspirin day before, day of flight and day after would not hurt but was up to me.

so I deceid3d to take the aspirin and I wore flight socks and my lymphedema sleeve. 4hours in and my hand starts to feel odd and cold so I started clenching and unclenching it. I had been drinking lots of water and going to the toilet or for a stretch every hour. The hand had swollen completely so I took the sleeve off. Was in a slight panic and on my own so no one to chat to. Thankfully within about half hour of being offf plane hand returned to normal.

flight home I left the sleeve off.....will discuss next time I see specialist!! On taking socks off feet were pudgy but settled down quickly......maybe I’m just predisposed to swelling up!!!!

happy flying everyone. I had a fantastic weekend in New York, suffering a bit today from jet lag....but oh so worth it

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