1. < Transplants

X-rays when flying, etc.

Posted by JK @contentandwell, Oct 17, 2022

I know I brought this up a long time ago but I'm wondering if since then anyone has had to deal with this problem also.

Every time I fly and go through the x-ray machine something gets detected. It's generally in my shoulder and thigh areas. This all started happening after my transplant. It even happened with the much less sophisticated equipment they have when you are taking the ferry to Ellis Island. I get pulled aside and have to get patted down, every time.

I have had knee replacements but one was well before my transplant and that never caused a problem before, and the other was over a year after my transplant and the problem started before that.

It's very frustrating, takes extra time, and my property that has gone through the machine is left unattended on the conveyer belt. My husband does try to get to it as soon as he can but it's not ideal, and I may have occasions when I fly without him.

Thanks for any info anyone can provide.
JK

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 18, 2022

For reference, here is the discussion @contentandwell started previously on this topic:
- Airport X-ray results https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/airport-x-ray-results

Do you think this is transplant related or your knee replacement?

REPLY
1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Oct 19, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "For reference, here is the discussion @contentandwell started previously on this topic: - Airport X-ray results..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

For reference, here is the discussion @contentandwell started previously on this topic:
- Airport X-ray results https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/airport-x-ray-results

Do you think this is transplant related or your knee replacement?

Jump to this post

@colleenyoung
Thanks for resurrecting the original posting. I just went through it and there was nothing in it that was definitive. I thought by posting again I may find others who were not here when I first posted but who have had similar problems. We are flying next month so I am anticipating going through it again. 😖

It is definitely not related to my knee replacements. My first TKR was in 2013 and I flew numerous times after that with no problem. The first time this happened was a year after my transplant, and a month before my second TKR.

Nothing ever shows up on fake knees! Maybe I'll bring the card along and with that they will wave me through. It's worth a try. Do they really think a little old lady is a terrorist?
JK

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Oct 19, 2022

I got flagged this past September when the scan screen highlighted my shoulder and the wrist on opposite side of body. I wonder if somehow my right wrist medic alert bracelet or Mt left hand wedding rings were involved(?)
It has not happened before. I credit it to a variety of scanners at different airports.
Contentandwell, since this seems to be a routine experience for you, have you considered contacting the TSA with this question? They might have some information about whether it is your knee?

REPLY
chickytina | @chickytina | Oct 20, 2022
In reply to @contentandwell "@colleenyoung Thanks for resurrecting the original posting. I just went through it and there was nothing..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@colleenyoung
Thanks for resurrecting the original posting. I just went through it and there was nothing in it that was definitive. I thought by posting again I may find others who were not here when I first posted but who have had similar problems. We are flying next month so I am anticipating going through it again. 😖

It is definitely not related to my knee replacements. My first TKR was in 2013 and I flew numerous times after that with no problem. The first time this happened was a year after my transplant, and a month before my second TKR.

Nothing ever shows up on fake knees! Maybe I'll bring the card along and with that they will wave me through. It's worth a try. Do they really think a little old lady is a terrorist?
JK

Jump to this post

If you fly frequently, you may want to look into TSA prescreening. From my understanding, you won't need to go through the X-ray screening at the airport. It also makes it faster that you don't have to wait on the line.

REPLY
1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Oct 21, 2022
In reply to @chickytina "If you fly frequently, you may want to look into TSA prescreening. From my understanding, you..." + (show)
@chickytina

If you fly frequently, you may want to look into TSA prescreening. From my understanding, you won't need to go through the X-ray screening at the airport. It also makes it faster that you don't have to wait on the line.

Jump to this post

Thanks, @chickytina but even with the TSA prescreening you do need to go through the x-ray screening. I know numerous people who do have that and that is what they told me.
The gains are you don't have to take your shoes off, you don't need to take your iPad or whatever out, and you have a shorter line.
JK

REPLY
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