Emphysema and flying

[janec68]

I’ve recently been diagnosed with borderline copd looking like emphysema were the words doctor used?? I’ve been given incruse (green one) my question is I had lung capacity of 75 in early June flew to Prague in late June when I came back I went for a spirometery test and dropped to 65 also came back with swollen legs doctor can’t or won’t say that it was the flight that caused the downturn , I’m due to fly in October and don’t know what to do for the best ??? Do I fly and take a chance ( I love my holidays)

[Skatergirl1]

Hi Janec, I am still flying without a problem, I also have emphysema and my fev is 35%. I always feel a bit bloated after flying but it goes away after a couple of days, so I think that it is the cabin pressure that affects me. If you are really concerned maybe have a word with your doctor, but for me I will continue doing what I enjoy for as long as possible and would take that holiday xx

[janec68 in reply to Skatergirl1]

Thanks for taking the time to reply, have made an appointment with go before I go but deep down I think I will go

[Caspiana]

Hello janec68 . 😊

Hmmmm..... The doctor can't say for sure if your loss of lung function was due to flying. I expect it is hard to say. Sometimes lung function tests come back lower if we aren't very well, and especially in winter. But I must say if you truly lost 10% that is quite a big loss. As for the swollen legs, did you take little walks during the flight (I assume it wasn't a very long haul flight , but important to move anyway) and were you hydrated? Did you avoid alcohol? All these factors could have been a contributing factor to the swelling?

Could you not holiday by train or ship instead of plane? That may ease your mind. I'd say go on holiday. We must live life to the full, but perhaps try a different mode of travel to preserve your very precious lung function. Once we lose it, it doesn't come back. In any case, I hope you have a wonderful time . 🚆⛵😄

Cas xx 🙋🐕

[janec68 in reply to Caspiana]

Thanks for talking the time to reply its all new to me I have an appointment with go before I go but I think I will still go

[Ergendl]

When my FEV1 was around 69% with emphysema I flew to Venice and Spain from the UK without problems, checking my blood oxygenation with a finger monitor. As said above, I moved around a lot, doing seat dancing to keep the blood circulating. I also used Cold and Flu Bloc during the flight and Vick's First Defence immediately after getting off the planes, to stop any infections that might have been floating around in the recirculated air onboard. My FEV1 has since improved to low end of normal.

[janec68 in reply to Ergendl]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I have an appointment with gp before I fly deep down I think I will go just scared, will follow your advice on the Vicks defence and the cold and flu

[Ergendl in reply to janec68]

Both available from chemists like Boots.

The Cold and Flu Bloc is a small expensive tube of clear cream you put on around your nostrils to catch any bugs in the air as you breathe in. You do have to remember to nose breathe all the time you use it. I think others use petroleum jelly instead, which is much cheaper, but I'm not sure if it's as effective.

[skischool]

Fly.Fly.Fly Jane,your lungs are in pretty good nick and spirometry readings when your condition is mild can fluctuate for fun and the only important figure for flying is your oxygen level which i imagine at the moment is nigh on perfect.

However if you have any other underlying conditions then obviously take advice,but just follow the sensible rules of keep moving and regular hydration and you should have no problems.

[janec68 in reply to skischool]

Thanks for taking the time to reply I have the go before I fly deep down I think I will go

[powderpuff]

I would still plan to take your trip & look forward to it.

Your swollen legs on a previous flight sounds like fluid accumulation which can be helped in the ways the other replies have suggested. It’s also helps to rotate your feet from the ankles while in your seat oh & don’t forget flight socks!

I’m flying a short haul flight nex t month, the first since dx, so we’ll see how we both get on if you decide to go ✈️🧳🕶🏖

[janec68 in reply to powderpuff]

Thanks for taking the time to reply

I have the gp before I go and will ask for flight socks and a previous reply has suggested to take cold and flu capsules which I will also do. Will let you know how I get on