Not directly diving med but related

[Hoppy]

Apologies but this relates to a dive trip I'm about to take.

I'm gonna be flying for about 20 hours in total, 2 flights. I hear "rumours" that it can be advisable to take aspirin for three or 4 days before this kind of trip.

Is this advisable ( i have no known circ problems), if so how much ? Daily dosage ?

Thoughts would be appreciated, I accept responsibilty for my own actions and if I choose to follow or disregard any advice.

Cheers
Hoppy

 

[Kim]

I'm no doctor but I should think that this relates to aspirins ability to prevent fatty buildup in veins and arteries. I know that taking it regularly reduces the chance of heart attacks. I'm guessing that in this case it might reduce the chance of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) that can occur on long flights. A friend of mine had a very serious heart attack due to DVT after an 8 hour flight between India and Europe.
As far as dosage goes - again I'd be guessing - but I should imagine you'd be OK taking just a normal dosage - a couple of tablets a day or so. I can't see how it would hurt.
Hopefully one of the Medical guys can throw more light on it - I repeat - I'm not a doctor!!!

 

[mania]

I'm not a doctor but I understand that either aspirin or paracetamol you cannot exceed the dosage of 8 tablets per day.
Honestly speeking I never took aspirin before long floghts - and the longest was 22 hours (one flight, 2 stop overs for refueling).
But then I was young :errrr:
Mania

 

[Wildcard]

83 mg/day is the dose your looking for.Thats one baby asprin. As always, talk to your MD before starting anything new. And yes, this will help prevent DVT, but so will moving around, rotating your feet, wiggling your toes, ect. The legs depend on muscle contractions to help with venous blood return. Inactivity can lead to DVT.

 

[TheAvatar]

DVT caused by airline flights is not known whether or not it is true (often in people who were bedridden before the flight, so which was the cause). You can also avoid it by getting up and walking around every now and then on the plane instead of taking blood thinners I would think.

 

[Kim]

DVT caused by airline flights is not known whether or not it is true (often in people who were bedridden before the flight, so which was the cause).

I'm sorry - I have to totally disagree with this. The airlines have run a campaign of denial to try to say this, but even they now admit it. There is a class action going on in Australia against Quantus right now.
My friend who flew from India to Europe had been walking up and down mountains in the Himalayas for two months before he flew home - definitely not bedridden - at least not until he had a massive heart attack 36 hours after the flight caused my a clot moving into his heart. He was in a coma for 6 days. Luckily he just managed to pull through and is slowly recovering.
It's true though that you can reduce the risk by in-flight exercise - moving around etc - as Wildcard posted. Many airlines now show 'do it with me' videos that demonstrate which exercises help. I have heard though that post 9/11 American carriers don't like you leaving your seat except to go to the toilet and that if you try to walk around they will ask you to return to your seat.
To suggest though that only already infirm people are at risk is to my mind dangerously misleading. There have been several deaths already of people in their early 20's after long flights due to DVT. The BBC in particular has run many reports and documentary's about it.

 

[DocVikingo]

I believe that your ultimate goal here is to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This condition is a potentially very serious event and a number of experts believe its relationship to flying has long been underestimated.

While taking aspirin will do no harm as regards DVT (although aspirin can cause other problems), the more effective preventive measures should also be taken. Stay well hydrated both before and throughout your trip. When on the plane, wear loose socks or even better snug support hose, remove your shoes, don't cross your legs, and get up to take frequent walks in the aisle.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience leg pain, tenderness, swelling, increased warmth, redness, skin discoloration or joint pain, especially if only one leg is involved.

Best regards.

DocVikingo