A medical question

[New Flyer]

My mother-in-law is loking into possibly flying down south this summer. She is 80, in good health other than a blood clot in her leg.
Is there anything about flying that makes travel with a blood clot more inherintely dangerous?
Is there any chance the pressure changes in an aircraft could effectively dislodge the clot?
Just looking for general info, as we await a long sought after doctors opinion.

Thxs

[200hr Wonder]

Have her go see her Doctor before flying. That is the ONLY safe course of action. I say again have her go see her Doctor before flying. Now there is such a thing as a Deep Vein Thrombosis which sounds similar. Info here: http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/s ... t-1086.htm. Talk to her Doctor really.

[Castorero]

How long has she had this blood clot?
Where in the leg is it, lower leg/upper leg/thigh?
Has she had any treatment for it?
Is she on anticoagulants (blood thinners) ?
How long of a flight will she need to take?
How mobile is she?
Does the 'leg' still hurt?

Inquiring minds need to know, before brain can engage on topic...

[New Flyer]

She has had the clot for a few months now, and is on medication ( I think its cumodin ??).
It still hurts from time to time, which is what worries us.
We are awaiting a doctors opinion, she has an appointment later this week.
I was just curious if generally its normal to fly with it, or if it is generally a no go thing.

[Castorero]

Old blood clot below the knee, on medication, generally would not raise too much of a concern as the "clot" would no longer be a clot , but a stable structure within the lumen of the affected vein.
Not at all unusual for the area of the leg to remain somewhat tender for a long time.
Long and short there would be no problem with that patient flying.

Now for the CAVEAT: The above pronouncement is completely meaningless without examining the woman and her leg, so wait for the doctor's visit and go with that.

It is the right thing to do.