My mother inlaw is on 16hrs oxygen and takes it from 7pm till 10am in the morning. wants to fly to ireland from liverpool thoughts please.

[Nonny567]

So My mother in law once she has taken her oxygen can walk round the house and goes to peluminary rehab and tai chi once a week. Mainly in a wheelchair. But manages the day really well.She has potentially a flight in a weeks time and cant get the paperwork signed to have oxygen on the plane in time. She was thinking of going on the plane without oxygen as she would of had her 16hrs the night before. She will have oxygen waiting for her on the other side of her flight. The flight is only 1hr long. Have any of you on here had a similar experience. Please share.

And any thoughts from anyone who knows the potential effects of the flight for her.

Cheers Jonny

[Rattled]

Hello Nonny567.

The first thing to say is that this is an opinion only - I am not a doctor and have no medical training. I have, however, discussed the possibility of flying with my own consultant and have undergone the full 'fit to fly' tests.

The big problem with flying is that although the aircraft cabin will be pressurised to a 'height' lower than the actual one the aircraft is flying at, it will still be way above sea level. Even for a 'quick' one hour flight the aircraft will fly at an altitude of 25,000 feet or higher (all to do with fuel economy and routes).

The cabin altitude won't be that high but for those with lung disease the effects of altitude can occur way before the effects on healthy lungs.

Your mother in law's lungs are pretty damaged to start with, plus she will have gone through all the physical and mental stress of travelling through a large airport. I think it could be a disaster.

Sorry to be so negative but I have oxygen only 'as and when required', i.e. hoovering or taking exercise. I am lucky in that I certainly don't need oxygen for 16 hours a day. My consultant, however, has specified that I must have oxygen for any flights at all - even very local ones.

I know we're all very different but I really wouldn't risk this. Can she not use the ferry?

Rattled

[Nonny567 in reply to Rattled]

Thanks for your response Rattled.There has been a mention of ferry but doesn't seem to want to travel for so long it turns the journey into a 8hr ordeal.

Tough decision to be made

Cheers jonny

[CyprusPat]

I would suggest a portable oxygen machine. Most of them are airline approved but of course are expensive. There are companies that sell reconditioned ones. I find mine invaluable now as I can get out and about since my oxygen needs are 24/7. Just a thought.

[Biker88]

it’s complicated I suspect you will need to check with your airline as I understand some won’t allow concentrators on board and if they do you may be limited to a specific brand or hire one from the airline. You need to talk to her GP/ oxygen nurse to make sure she will be ok.

[anng18]

Hi Nonny,

I'm not on oxygen, but the last time I went on an aeroplane, I did not feel good. My O2 sat.s were very low, before the aeroplane took off - presurised cabin! Mid flight, I went to the loo and nearly collapsed getting back to my seat, which was very close. My husband had a vaporised fan going for me, which helped. I could hardly breath or walk when I got of the aeroplane. It took over an hour to recover and I wasn't great the following day. It was a 3 hour flight and did go to 37,000 feet altitude.

I would seek advice, before travelling.

[PaulineHM]

Hello,

Flying with oxygen or even using the ferry when needing oxygen is a complex thing these days.

Any equipment used needs to be FAA regulated and it is wise to ensure the oxygen prescription set for your mother in law can be met during travel. even the ferries restrict oxygen to a certain number of containers these days. For flights it is only specific portable oxygen concentrators which are permitted. The airline will inform you which ones are acceptable.

She will require a recent fit to fly certificate from a doctor-this is available from her GP and there is a fee to pay for it.

As you can tell travelling with oxygen it is a bit of a 'minefield' these days.

Hope you get something sorted out.

Go well Nonny.

Pauline

[Patk1]

Has she been in touch with special assistance,of the company she's flying with for info if she was to need 02 & help boarding etc.I can't advise,but I can understand her wanting to do it.if she's able to, I'd ensure she prepares - keeping stress at bay, relaxing + using salbutamol as needed.read up on aluk website on controlled breathing - help her to relax and keep airflow going,if she struggles at all x