My husband is in remission from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and has been clear for five years. The chemotherapy has resulted in peripheral nerve damage and he has numbness in the feet and lack of circulation to both legs. The radiotherapy has damaged the facial sinus tissue and on short-haul flights he always gets an infection in the sinus area. He is on steroid spray daily and regularly washes the nasal area and throat with saline solution in an effort to combat infection. We would very much like to visit Australia next year for a family wedding. Is there any significant danger of DVT, and what can be done to reduce the risk of catching anything through the recirculated air? Would it help if we travelled business class rather than economy?
Dr Jules Eden replies: If he has damage to the blood circulation of his legs, he has to pull out all the stops to avoid a DVT on the flight. Business class would be better, as there is more leg room and so less flexion at the knee, which classically slows the blood return and causes the clot. He should use graded pressure stockings and take 150mg of aspirin. Drink at least 4 - 5 litres of water on the flight and take a regular hourly walk up the aisles. Stopping infection will be hard. He needs to prevent the drying up of the nasal mucous. A mask, like those used to combat Sars, can help. If an infection does get hold though, have some amoxicillin handy to hit it hard.
Every time I fly, I get this feeling of impending doom. Is there anything I can take to calm me down during the flight? Could there be a psychological disorder associated with fear of air travel?
There is a psychological problem associated with flying and people suffer it in different ways. It becomes a problem if it results in you not actually flying, but it seems that you can get on the plane. A 'feeling of doom' may be just mild symptoms so I think you can be easily cured. Do not resort to drugs at this stage but look to go on one of those courses where you are put into a flight simulator with a psychologist.
If you have any questions you want to ask Dr Jules Eden, email travel.doctor@theguardian.com, or write to The Flying Doctor, The Guardian, 119 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3ER.
