Altitude test to fly?

[Jane]

We're going down to Atlanta after Christmas to visit my brother's family. I asked their doc for a letter explaining all our meds/supplied for security. She said she wants them to do an altitude test in the pft lab first to see if they're ok to fly first . It's the first time I've heard of this, and it doesn't seem necessary. Does anyone else know about this? When is it usually called for?

 

[Jane]

We're going down to Atlanta after Christmas to visit my brother's family. I asked their doc for a letter explaining all our meds/supplied for security. She said she wants them to do an altitude test in the pft lab first to see if they're ok to fly first . It's the first time I've heard of this, and it doesn't seem necessary. Does anyone else know about this? When is it usually called for?

 

[Jane]

We're going down to Atlanta after Christmas to visit my brother's family. I asked their doc for a letter explaining all our meds/supplied for security. She said she wants them to do an altitude test in the pft lab first to see if they're ok to fly first . It's the first time I've heard of this, and it doesn't seem necessary. Does anyone else know about this? When is it usually called for?

 

[JORDYSMOM]

Do you think it has to do with the bleeds? Maybe because of the pressure changes.

Stacey

 

[JORDYSMOM]

Do you think it has to do with the bleeds? Maybe because of the pressure changes.

Stacey

 

[JORDYSMOM]

Do you think it has to do with the bleeds? Maybe because of the pressure changes.
<br />
<br />Stacey

 

[LouLou]

Hi Jane, It wouldn't be a test to see if they can fly it would be a test to see if they can fly without oxygen. It's normal to need oxygen when flyer before one needs oxygen on land. The exception to this is high altitudes sometimes people need it on vacations in high altitudes. I wouldn't let yourself get too emotional about her request. Just like they do 6 minute walk tests to see how exercise effects our oxygenation this is a tool they can use to simulate what it will be like in the air for the boys. Otherwise, they may get a headache or arrive very tired due to the lack of oxygen. Hugs.

 

[LouLou]

Hi Jane, It wouldn't be a test to see if they can fly it would be a test to see if they can fly without oxygen. It's normal to need oxygen when flyer before one needs oxygen on land. The exception to this is high altitudes sometimes people need it on vacations in high altitudes. I wouldn't let yourself get too emotional about her request. Just like they do 6 minute walk tests to see how exercise effects our oxygenation this is a tool they can use to simulate what it will be like in the air for the boys. Otherwise, they may get a headache or arrive very tired due to the lack of oxygen. Hugs.

 

[LouLou]

Hi Jane, It wouldn't be a test to see if they can fly it would be a test to see if they can fly without oxygen. It's normal to need oxygen when flyer before one needs oxygen on land. The exception to this is high altitudes sometimes people need it on vacations in high altitudes. I wouldn't let yourself get too emotional about her request. Just like they do 6 minute walk tests to see how exercise effects our oxygenation this is a tool they can use to simulate what it will be like in the air for the boys. Otherwise, they may get a headache or arrive very tired due to the lack of oxygen. Hugs.

 

[kirstynkoffs]

Hello
as LouLou has already said it is fairly common to do an altitude test for anyone with more serious lung damage. Obviously it's harder for the lungs to work at altitude and it best to check you (or your boys) can cope without 02. It is far better to realise this in a lab than on a plane without prior arrangment!!! Also IMO it is worth noting how you feel on the day of the test ie if you are feeling great that day it may be worth clearly mentioning that to the doc incase you end up flying on a 'off' day!
Don't stress too much just look forward to the end result HOLIDAYS<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> !!!

 

[kirstynkoffs]

Hello
as LouLou has already said it is fairly common to do an altitude test for anyone with more serious lung damage. Obviously it's harder for the lungs to work at altitude and it best to check you (or your boys) can cope without 02. It is far better to realise this in a lab than on a plane without prior arrangment!!! Also IMO it is worth noting how you feel on the day of the test ie if you are feeling great that day it may be worth clearly mentioning that to the doc incase you end up flying on a 'off' day!
Don't stress too much just look forward to the end result HOLIDAYS<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> !!!

 

[kirstynkoffs]

Hello
<br />as LouLou has already said it is fairly common to do an altitude test for anyone with more serious lung damage. Obviously it's harder for the lungs to work at altitude and it best to check you (or your boys) can cope without 02. It is far better to realise this in a lab than on a plane without prior arrangment!!! Also IMO it is worth noting how you feel on the day of the test ie if you are feeling great that day it may be worth clearly mentioning that to the doc incase you end up flying on a 'off' day!
<br />Don't stress too much just look forward to the end result HOLIDAYS<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> !!!

 

[cnsky54RRT]

Aircraft are pressurized to the equivalent of 8000 above sea level, and this cuts down quite a bit on the partial pressure of oxygen you breath, although it is still 21% of the total. I skydive, and have done quite a few night freefalls, and we are trained that at 8000ft there is effectively half the oxygen at sea level in the lungs. At that point our night vision starts to disappear.

If the boys aren't oxygen starved now on the ground, they will probably be all right in the air. A test will spot any tendency to get hypoxic on a lower oxygen partial press. My young cf friend needs O2 all the time, and I am trying to figure out a concentrator to take her on a plane ride, one that will get past the TSA. No point in trying to carry a tank past them, looks like a weapon of mass destruction...

 

[cnsky54RRT]

Aircraft are pressurized to the equivalent of 8000 above sea level, and this cuts down quite a bit on the partial pressure of oxygen you breath, although it is still 21% of the total. I skydive, and have done quite a few night freefalls, and we are trained that at 8000ft there is effectively half the oxygen at sea level in the lungs. At that point our night vision starts to disappear.

If the boys aren't oxygen starved now on the ground, they will probably be all right in the air. A test will spot any tendency to get hypoxic on a lower oxygen partial press. My young cf friend needs O2 all the time, and I am trying to figure out a concentrator to take her on a plane ride, one that will get past the TSA. No point in trying to carry a tank past them, looks like a weapon of mass destruction...

 

[cnsky54RRT]

Aircraft are pressurized to the equivalent of 8000 above sea level, and this cuts down quite a bit on the partial pressure of oxygen you breath, although it is still 21% of the total. I skydive, and have done quite a few night freefalls, and we are trained that at 8000ft there is effectively half the oxygen at sea level in the lungs. At that point our night vision starts to disappear.
<br />
<br />If the boys aren't oxygen starved now on the ground, they will probably be all right in the air. A test will spot any tendency to get hypoxic on a lower oxygen partial press. My young cf friend needs O2 all the time, and I am trying to figure out a concentrator to take her on a plane ride, one that will get past the TSA. No point in trying to carry a tank past them, looks like a weapon of mass destruction...

 

[robert321]

I haven't ever had one done to me, but I can see where it would be a good idea. The main problem I have on airplanes is getting all dried out. My sinuses get dry and I'll probably have a nosebleed, and your lungs just feel dry.

 

[robert321]

I haven't ever had one done to me, but I can see where it would be a good idea. The main problem I have on airplanes is getting all dried out. My sinuses get dry and I'll probably have a nosebleed, and your lungs just feel dry.

 

[robert321]

I haven't ever had one done to me, but I can see where it would be a good idea. The main problem I have on airplanes is getting all dried out. My sinuses get dry and I'll probably have a nosebleed, and your lungs just feel dry.

 

[Nervous1]

My blood oxygen levels are normal (usually around 98%) and I fly internationally quite often. Out of curiousity once I took a pulse oximeter with me.

On the ground I was at my usual 98%. During the flight it went down to 92-93%, although I felt fine.

So, if your boys have lung damage it certainly can't hurt to find out ahead of time what to expect during the flight.

 

[Nervous1]

My blood oxygen levels are normal (usually around 98%) and I fly internationally quite often. Out of curiousity once I took a pulse oximeter with me.

On the ground I was at my usual 98%. During the flight it went down to 92-93%, although I felt fine.

So, if your boys have lung damage it certainly can't hurt to find out ahead of time what to expect during the flight.