Airport X-ray results

Posted by JK @contentandwell, Aug 20, 2019

Ever since my transplant, I get stopped when I go through that machine in security at the airport, and I even got stopped going to Ellis Island on the ferry! The airport machine shows a suspect area in my shoulders and upper chest, and in my upper thighs. This started with my first flight post-transplant, about a year after my transplant and since then I've had about 10 flights, the last in February. I will be flying on Thursday morning so I know I will get stopped then too.

Has anyone else had a problem flying? I am wondering what it could possibly be and since this did not happen before I had a transplant I can only think that maybe the immunosuppressants collect in the tissues in that part of my body and have a metallic component, but I am very curious. I asked my transplant contact at MGH last year and she didn't seem to have any idea at all.

I realize just knowing the cause won't stop it, I will still apparently always get stopped, but I can't help but wonder why.
JK

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Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Aug 20, 2019

I have never had this happen to me. I transplanted in 2009, and I only fly once a year for vacation.

JK | @contentandwell | Aug 20, 2019

In reply to @rosemarya "I have never had this happen to me. I transplanted in 2009, and I only fly..." + (show)

@rosemarya I can’t remember if I had changed to sirolimus before this started happening or not. I think I was still on tacrolimus though. The first time it happened I thought it must something like a body cream so the next time I made sure to not use that but it just keeps happening.
I do have to say that each agent that has patted me down has been respectful and done it as well as possible so I wouldn’t feel upset at all.
JK

estrada53 | @estrada53 | Aug 20, 2019

Hi @contentandwell. I have experienced the same situation. Just to and from Chicago during this past week. The xray machine found something in my shoulder area on the way to Chicago and at OHare there was something in my upper thigh groin area. Never happened before my transplant. Honestly, I thought it was a fluke, but I saw the images myself.

cmael | @cmael | Aug 20, 2019

I have flown since my transplant and have been stopped as well as at the government center screening. I always tell them I have an artificial knee. They check me with the wand, and at the airport a pat down, and I’m allowed to go on.

Dana, Volunteer Mentor | @danab | Aug 20, 2019

I know as a Heart transplant recipient i wonder if the sterno wire would cause a problem but haven't flown yet. I have been thru metal detectors without problem but not at the airport yet.

gaylea1 | @gaylea1 | Aug 20, 2019

In reply to @contentandwell "@rosemarya I can’t remember if I had changed to sirolimus before this started happening or not...." + (show)

@contentandwell I know this sounds way out there but have you had an xray to make sure the surgeons didn't mistakenly leave something metal in you? Crazy I know but it has happened.

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Aug 20, 2019

Wow, how interesting! But that triggered my memory, that in June as I left Providence, RI to fly back to California, the machine indicated something also. I have not had a transplant [my husband, yes, but he was not along]. They had to do a patdown, also, and found nothing. I will be flying in October and wonder what will happen then....
Ginger

estrada53 | @estrada53 | Aug 20, 2019

In reply to @gaylea1 "@contentandwell I know this sounds way out there but have you had an xray to make..." + (show)

I have an xray every time I'm at Mayo or even at my PCP or pulmonologist (I had sarcoidosis) if I have a cold. Nothing has shown up. Always all clear.

JK | @contentandwell | Aug 21, 2019

In reply to @estrada53 "Hi @contentandwell. I have experienced the same situation. Just to and from Chicago during this past..." + (show)

@estrada53 Thank you, I feel better to hear that it happened to someone else. Expect it to be a regular thing, it has been every time, and as I said, I’ve been through that machine about 10 times. Seems odd that it’s just very few of us that this is happening to. What immunosuppressants do you take? I take sirolimus and prednisone.

@cmael I have had two TKRs but neither has ever been a problem and they are two different replacement brands.

@gaylea1 I think the whereabouts of where something is showing up makes that pretty unlikely, plus I have had hip and leg x-rays for my recent fracture and other and nothing showed on them. Thanks to you and to cmael for the suggestions though.
JK