Re: Precautions for traveling on commercial airlines

[Guest guest]

As long as you blood counts are normal you shouldn't be more concerned than

any other traveller. Getting a cold after travelling isn't unusual

independently of cml and it is not only getting in a crowd in a closed

environment, but the jet lag, temperature differences, last day vacation

party, etc. I traveled to Europe a few times since dx without trouble. I

just try to stay warm in the plane, and catch some rest while I am still jet

lagged.

Marcos.

On 10/3/07, barbara <barb521@...> wrote:

>

> Does anyone know if it's ok to take the drug called Airborne prior to

> flying? I was diagnosed July 06 and so far PCR still shows " 0 " . However, I

> had avoided flying as I ALWAYS picked up a bug when I would fly. Now that

> my numbers look good, I'm going to take a flight and want to take as many

> precautions as possible.

>

> Thanks

>

> Barbara

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hey Barbara:

I was DX in 2005 and because I work for an airline I would do quite a bit of

travel for work. I traveled while taking Gleevec and Sprycel with not to much

incidents of illness due to riding in the plane.

Now I am over 200 days post transplant and doing well. I know when I go back

to work I will be flying again. A recent study showed the most infectious items

on the plane were the headrests, armrest, and recline buttons. Of course you

can't control the people around you but you can take disinfectant wipes and

clean the items on your seat. Bring hand sanitizer and gloves (if necessary),

also you can carry a mask in case you get seated near a passenger that doesn't

sound all that healthy.

This type of sanitation is really standard in my life right now. These are just

ideas to help you fly healthy. When I go back , hopefully in January, I will

be practicing the same precautions. Fly safe and have fun!

Therese

barbara <barb521@...> wrote: Does anyone

know if it's ok to take the drug called Airborne prior to

flying? I was diagnosed July 06 and so far PCR still shows " 0 " . However, I

had avoided flying as I ALWAYS picked up a bug when I would fly. Now that

my numbers look good, I'm going to take a flight and want to take as many

precautions as possible.

Thanks

Barbara

[Guest guest]

When Airborne first came out on the market a few years ago it looked like a

pretty good OTC to me so I bought a few to keep in the house. After getting

home I took the time to read the label and discovered that one of the

ingredients was Eccanacea. Last time I checked Eccanacea wasn't something

that people with Leukemia wanted to mess with as it has the

Ability to increase white cells. Its full of ingredients to boost the

immune system which sometimes means boosting the white cells. Considering we

have CML and the 9/22 translocation causes the white count to rise to

unhealthy levels I am not sure that it would be a good idea to take any

supplement that would increase the white cells unless it was prescribed by

our Dr's due to low counts.

I had a friend with CLL who used a homeopathic Dr as well as the same Onc

that I have and unfortunately the homeopathic Dr She used really was a quack

but had convinced her to buy machines and herbal remedies for thousands of

dollars each time she went to his office.

She wouldn't follow the Onc's regime and each time she went to see him her

white count was increasing dramatically.

Finally she broke down and told him about the homeopathic Dr and that she

had been taking Eccanacea which our Onc said caused her white cells to

multiply uncontrollably.

Unfortunately, her condition worsened as she continued to follow the quacks

advice with alternative meds until a year ago when she ended up in the

hospital about to die at which time she finally agreed to the Oncs

treatment.

I have nothing against herbals and homeopathic remedies as long as the

patient is aware of what is and what isn't good for them. I take supplements

my self but will not take anything including the drinks on the market today

that has eccanacea or anything else that's supposed to boost the immune

system.

ez