Flying

[anonymous]

My family is thinking about vacation destinations & I wondered if other CFers fly much. I did approx 15 years ago, when I was a lot healthier, but haven't since.
Is there ever a problem w/ altitude? Are you ever nervous about the re-cycled air in planes? Just some things I was considering before deciding if we should take a "car" vacation or fly.
Of course, I will ask my doctor, but wanted some feelback from any CF jet-setters out there<img src="i/expressions/sun.gif" border="0">

 

[anonymous]

My family is thinking about vacation destinations & I wondered if other CFers fly much. I did approx 15 years ago, when I was a lot healthier, but haven't since.
Is there ever a problem w/ altitude? Are you ever nervous about the re-cycled air in planes? Just some things I was considering before deciding if we should take a "car" vacation or fly.
Of course, I will ask my doctor, but wanted some feelback from any CF jet-setters out there<img src="i/expressions/sun.gif" border="0">

 

[AbsintheSorrow]

I flew to Canada once when I was about 11. I flew to the Florida Keys when I was about 16, or so. And I flew to Barcelona only... 2 years ago, age 18. The Canada and Florida trips, my lung health was pretty fine, so it wasn't a problem. But when Barcelona came around, I had started having lung infections (started when I was 16). I was actually having a particularly bad time during that trip... the week I came home, I went into the hospital. But as far as the flight goes, other than being bored, I had no problems. One plane go delayed a few hours, and the AC wasn't on, and that made me nuts, but that's an unusual circumstance. I had no air problems, no altitude problems.

 

[AbsintheSorrow]

I flew to Canada once when I was about 11. I flew to the Florida Keys when I was about 16, or so. And I flew to Barcelona only... 2 years ago, age 18. The Canada and Florida trips, my lung health was pretty fine, so it wasn't a problem. But when Barcelona came around, I had started having lung infections (started when I was 16). I was actually having a particularly bad time during that trip... the week I came home, I went into the hospital. But as far as the flight goes, other than being bored, I had no problems. One plane go delayed a few hours, and the AC wasn't on, and that made me nuts, but that's an unusual circumstance. I had no air problems, no altitude problems.

 

[supermanfan]

Long ago when I was 21 I flew to Australia (I'm in California, USA) and that flight home was excrusiating.. but I was there for three weeks, and even though I took my nebulizer there were so many things we did, the trip home was just exhausting. I was kinda blue by the time I got off the plane. Altitude can definately effect you. The higher you get the less pressure in the air. It's not that there isn't enough oxygen, gut the fact that the pressure is less your lungs done really work right, and aren't able to breath in a deep therefore not getting enought oxygen. Healthy people don't breath right either, but they don't notice it as much because they don't have the lung problem. Make sure you are healthy before you go if you go, and let your family know you have concerns. Talk to your doctor about it. If your doctor tell you you shouldn't fly he/she probably knows what he/she is saying. If he/she says you will be ok, you have good lung function there shouldn't be a problem.

 

[supermanfan]

Long ago when I was 21 I flew to Australia (I'm in California, USA) and that flight home was excrusiating.. but I was there for three weeks, and even though I took my nebulizer there were so many things we did, the trip home was just exhausting. I was kinda blue by the time I got off the plane. Altitude can definately effect you. The higher you get the less pressure in the air. It's not that there isn't enough oxygen, gut the fact that the pressure is less your lungs done really work right, and aren't able to breath in a deep therefore not getting enought oxygen. Healthy people don't breath right either, but they don't notice it as much because they don't have the lung problem. Make sure you are healthy before you go if you go, and let your family know you have concerns. Talk to your doctor about it. If your doctor tell you you shouldn't fly he/she probably knows what he/she is saying. If he/she says you will be ok, you have good lung function there shouldn't be a problem.

 

[anonymous]

I fly all the time!! I actually love to fly. The longest I've done is from Detroit to LA and I did get a little congested in the head for a few days after. Kinda like a head cold but it went away. I usually fly to New York or Florida and the short trip doesn't mess with my health.
Good luck and have a great vacation
emily 22 pwcf

 

[anonymous]

I fly all the time!! I actually love to fly. The longest I've done is from Detroit to LA and I did get a little congested in the head for a few days after. Kinda like a head cold but it went away. I usually fly to New York or Florida and the short trip doesn't mess with my health.
Good luck and have a great vacation
emily 22 pwcf

 

[anonymous]

I also fly offen. 1-3 hour flights are ok. Recently went to Paris, 11 hour flight, we called the airline and they provided in flight oxygen. We had no hassle at all. Actually you get better seats(exit, more leg room) or I even got bumped to 1st class on the way home. I am probably in the lower 40% health wise, so if you are around that or better you should be ok. BTW you can get a prescription for the o2 and your insurance will cover.

 

[anonymous]

I also fly offen. 1-3 hour flights are ok. Recently went to Paris, 11 hour flight, we called the airline and they provided in flight oxygen. We had no hassle at all. Actually you get better seats(exit, more leg room) or I even got bumped to 1st class on the way home. I am probably in the lower 40% health wise, so if you are around that or better you should be ok. BTW you can get a prescription for the o2 and your insurance will cover.

 

[anonymous]

I used to fly all the time. Probably about once a year. I never had any problems. Just make sure that you drink a lot of water and keep yourself very hydrated. Part of the problem when people fly is the dehydration so keep that under control.

 

[anonymous]

I used to fly all the time. Probably about once a year. I never had any problems. Just make sure that you drink a lot of water and keep yourself very hydrated. Part of the problem when people fly is the dehydration so keep that under control.

 

[anonymous]

Thanks for all the input. I will for sure ask my doctor about this before making any arrangements, but just wanted some first hand information too<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

 

[anonymous]

Thanks for all the input. I will for sure ask my doctor about this before making any arrangements, but just wanted some first hand information too<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

 

[Diane]

If you have hemoptysis( coughing up blood) problems, be careful. I was healthy with pft's in the high 90's when i decided to take flight lessons (1990). I noticed every time i flew , i coughed up blood sometime afterwards. Now, its possible it could be coincidence, but not probable, especially since it happened every time, and i was without any real lung problems then. Needless to say, i decided that i wont be flying anywhere anymore.
~Diane 39 / cf / diabetes / b.cepacia

 

[Diane]

If you have hemoptysis( coughing up blood) problems, be careful. I was healthy with pft's in the high 90's when i decided to take flight lessons (1990). I noticed every time i flew , i coughed up blood sometime afterwards. Now, its possible it could be coincidence, but not probable, especially since it happened every time, and i was without any real lung problems then. Needless to say, i decided that i wont be flying anywhere anymore.
~Diane 39 / cf / diabetes / b.cepacia

 

[anonymous]

Hi,
I´m 42 with cf and have been flying "around the world". I´m living in Germany and I have visited the USA ten times,Australia,Bali,Kenia,many destinations in Europe and so on. The longest flights have been over 12 hours and if I didn´t have a "actual health problem",it was no problem. If your lung function is very low, it could be a problem. On my last flight 5 weeks ago back from Egypt I had an infection and couldn´t breathe "normal".When I noticed,that I did feel worse, I asked about and got oxygen. I felt much better with it and for the stewardesses it was no problem. On every flight they do provide oxygen, so if you notice,that you get breathing problems, you can ask for it!

Uli

 

[anonymous]

Hi,
I´m 42 with cf and have been flying "around the world". I´m living in Germany and I have visited the USA ten times,Australia,Bali,Kenia,many destinations in Europe and so on. The longest flights have been over 12 hours and if I didn´t have a "actual health problem",it was no problem. If your lung function is very low, it could be a problem. On my last flight 5 weeks ago back from Egypt I had an infection and couldn´t breathe "normal".When I noticed,that I did feel worse, I asked about and got oxygen. I felt much better with it and for the stewardesses it was no problem. On every flight they do provide oxygen, so if you notice,that you get breathing problems, you can ask for it!

Uli

 

[anonymous]

I am from California and flew to Florida this summer. At the time I was very sick and needed to go in for a tune up when I got back (it had nothing to do with the trip...I just put it off too long) Anyway, I was really sick, but didnt notice any difference on the flight. If your concerned I would ask oxygen to be provided just in case, but as long as your feeling pretty good I dont see why there should be a problem...have fun on your trip!!!

 

[anonymous]

I am from California and flew to Florida this summer. At the time I was very sick and needed to go in for a tune up when I got back (it had nothing to do with the trip...I just put it off too long) Anyway, I was really sick, but didnt notice any difference on the flight. If your concerned I would ask oxygen to be provided just in case, but as long as your feeling pretty good I dont see why there should be a problem...have fun on your trip!!!