Plain Aspirin for long airline trips - Timeshare Users Group Online Community Forums

Kauai Kid · April 17, 2007, 09:15 AM

Our physician recommended 2 plain aspirin before we go on long airline trips--like from Texas to Hawaii. Beats a heart attack or stroke on an airplane.

Might want to see what your Dr thinks about the idea.

Sterling

JoAnn · April 17, 2007, 09:48 AM

Our doctor said a baby aspirin would work too. And we've taken them for our long flights and/or long bus tours.

GetawaysRus · April 17, 2007, 12:21 PM

If you are concerned about blood clots, another simple precaution is to wear support hose. Look for TED hose - you should be able to find these at a local drugstore. They come in small, medium, and large sizes.

Another good alternative would be Jobst compression stockings. However, Jobst stockings often need to be sized to fit. Jobst stockings come in a variety of different compressions levels.

Get up and walk around the plane occasionally, rather than just staying in your seat.

travelbug · April 17, 2007, 12:41 PM

If you choose to wear support stockings, it is most effective to use the thigh high stockings, not just knee high. These stockings do help to prevent blood clots forming in the legs veins. Much higher incidence of blood clots developing on flights than we realize. Two years ago I had a blood clot form in my leg, which then sent many small clots to my lungs. Very scary.

Marilyn

PigsDad · April 17, 2007, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GetawaysRus

another simple precaution is to wear support hose.

I just don't have the legs for them.

Kurt

JLB · April 17, 2007, 03:20 PM

Here's what yo're trying to avoid, deep vein thrombosis:

http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2004/604_vein.html

I read it quickly and didn't notice aspirin.

travelbug · April 17, 2007, 04:39 PM

Great article, Jim. Asprin is a benefit in preventing clotting. What is does is "thins the blood" - the lay person terminology that means it takes longer for the blood to clot.

Marilyn

JLB · April 17, 2007, 05:44 PM

Unfortunately, I'm all too familiar with blood thinning medicine. Not taking it could have been what recently did in our Great Uncle after he had surgery. To Kansas City Chiefs fans, the most notable person to succumb to this was Derrick Thomas, after surviving an auto accident but being laid up in the hospital.

And a tenny little aspirin is part of my supposed-to-be-daily regimen.

I bet there are some blood-thinning drugs designed for travelers, for those who like to take drugs for every possibility in life.

Some do, some don't.

GetawaysRus · April 17, 2007, 07:50 PM

[quote=JLB;319211]

I bet there are some blood-thinning drugs designed for travelers, for those who like to take drugs for every possibility in life.

QUOTE]

Aspirin is over-the-counter and quite potent as an anti-platelet agent to suppress blood clotting even at low doses.

There are numerous drugs to prevent clotting, but the majority are by prescription only. If you watch the same TV commercials that I do, you've seen lots of ads for Plavix lately. Plavix (and its cousin Aggrenox) are prescription drugs. Warfarin (brand name: Coumadin) is by prescription. Heparin is prescription, and given by injection.

Bottom line: I'd stick with Aspirin along with TED hose. I'm a guy, and I just hate the way those TED hose feel, but I wear them religiously on long flights.

BevL · April 17, 2007, 09:19 PM

Support hose to the thigh? No offence, I'll take my chances with a stroke or heart attack!!

Seriously, my hubby has some health issues and our doctor suggested a dose of aspirin for a few days before a long flight.

djs · April 17, 2007, 10:34 PM

Personally, I don't think stockings are for me.....though my next flight is to San Francisco, so maybe no one will bat an eye

travelbug · April 18, 2007, 08:46 AM

Support stockings are really gross to wear. But they sure beat the alternative!!! Blood clots took two years of recovery and significant long term effects on my health.

Hope

April 17, 2007, 09:15 AM	#1
Kauai Kid TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Texas-elevation 950 feet Posts: 2,099 Resorts: Alii Kai II (AKI-2201) 4 wks Princeville, Poipu Point Vacation Resort (EPP-3682) 2 wks Koloa, Maui Schooner (LMB) 2 wks	Plain Aspirin for long airline trips Our physician recommended 2 plain aspirin before we go on long airline trips--like from Texas to Hawaii. Beats a heart attack or stroke on an airplane. Might want to see what your Dr thinks about the idea. Sterling

April 17, 2007, 09:48 AM	#2
JoAnn TUG Lifetime Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Lehigh Acres FL Posts: 892 Resorts: Jockey Club (wk. 22); Summit @ Massunutten (U & L); Oak Knoll @ FF Glade TN.	Our doctor said a baby aspirin would work too. And we've taken them for our long flights and/or long bus tours. __________________ JoAnn TUG Lifetime Member

April 17, 2007, 03:20 PM	#6
JLB Guest BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Table Rock Lake, Branson, Missouri Posts: 6,891 Resorts: Posts: 7503, Add another 2500 posts!!! Registered Dec. 2000 Registered: Mar 2002	Here's what yo're trying to avoid, deep vein thrombosis: http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2004/604_vein.html I read it quickly and didn't notice aspirin. __________________ 19 years/110 Exchanges Exchanging/Searching/Florida/Kauai/CA/CO/MO/AR/IA/OK/OH/Consumer Advocacy/Estate Planning/Priceline/Sports/Boating/Fishing/Golf/Lake-living/Branson

April 17, 2007, 05:44 PM	#8
JLB Guest BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Table Rock Lake, Branson, Missouri Posts: 6,891 Resorts: Posts: 7503, Add another 2500 posts!!! Registered Dec. 2000 Registered: Mar 2002	Unfortunately, I'm all too familiar with blood thinning medicine. Not taking it could have been what recently did in our Great Uncle after he had surgery. To Kansas City Chiefs fans, the most notable person to succumb to this was Derrick Thomas, after surviving an auto accident but being laid up in the hospital. And a tenny little aspirin is part of my supposed-to-be-daily regimen. I bet there are some blood-thinning drugs designed for travelers, for those who like to take drugs for every possibility in life. Some do, some don't. __________________ 19 years/110 Exchanges Exchanging/Searching/Florida/Kauai/CA/CO/MO/AR/IA/OK/OH/Consumer Advocacy/Estate Planning/Priceline/Sports/Boating/Fishing/Golf/Lake-living/Branson

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April 17, 2007, 12:21 PM	#3
GetawaysRus TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Aug 15, 06 Location: California Posts: 245	If you are concerned about blood clots, another simple precaution is to wear support hose. Look for TED hose - you should be able to find these at a local drugstore. They come in small, medium, and large sizes. Another good alternative would be Jobst compression stockings. However, Jobst stockings often need to be sized to fit. Jobst stockings come in a variety of different compressions levels. Get up and walk around the plane occasionally, rather than just staying in your seat.

April 17, 2007, 12:41 PM	#4
travelbug TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 11, 05 Location: Northwest Posts: 150	If you choose to wear support stockings, it is most effective to use the thigh high stockings, not just knee high. These stockings do help to prevent blood clots forming in the legs veins. Much higher incidence of blood clots developing on flights than we realize. Two years ago I had a blood clot form in my leg, which then sent many small clots to my lungs. Very scary. Marilyn

April 17, 2007, 04:39 PM	#7
travelbug TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 11, 05 Location: Northwest Posts: 150	Great article, Jim. Asprin is a benefit in preventing clotting. What is does is "thins the blood" - the lay person terminology that means it takes longer for the blood to clot. Marilyn

April 17, 2007, 07:50 PM	#9
GetawaysRus TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Aug 15, 06 Location: California Posts: 245	[quote=JLB;319211] I bet there are some blood-thinning drugs designed for travelers, for those who like to take drugs for every possibility in life. QUOTE] Aspirin is over-the-counter and quite potent as an anti-platelet agent to suppress blood clotting even at low doses. There are numerous drugs to prevent clotting, but the majority are by prescription only. If you watch the same TV commercials that I do, you've seen lots of ads for Plavix lately. Plavix (and its cousin Aggrenox) are prescription drugs. Warfarin (brand name: Coumadin) is by prescription. Heparin is prescription, and given by injection. Bottom line: I'd stick with Aspirin along with TED hose. I'm a guy, and I just hate the way those TED hose feel, but I wear them religiously on long flights.

April 17, 2007, 09:19 PM	#10
BevL TUG Lifetime Member BBS Reg. Date: Oct 22, 04 Location: BC Canada Posts: 1,957	Support hose to the thigh? No offence, I'll take my chances with a stroke or heart attack!! Seriously, my hubby has some health issues and our doctor suggested a dose of aspirin for a few days before a long flight.

April 17, 2007, 10:34 PM	#11
djs TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Nov 29, 06 Location: South Boston, MA Posts: 826 Resorts: Ridge Tahoe	Personally, I don't think stockings are for me.....though my next flight is to San Francisco, so maybe no one will bat an eye

April 18, 2007, 08:46 AM	#12
travelbug TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 11, 05 Location: Northwest Posts: 150	Support stockings are really gross to wear. But they sure beat the alternative!!! Blood clots took two years of recovery and significant long term effects on my health. Hope