Lung desease

[Wjack]

Has anyone been on holiday .And how safe is it to travel long haul

[Cloudancer]

Morning WjackHave you discussed this with your medical team?

I was advised by my respiratory consultant against long haul flights and once told that any insurance you have is invalid if you fly against medical advice.

Points to consider

Medical advice you have been given.

Changes in air pressure /oxygen levels in the aircraft

What medicines you need

If aircraft diverted if you are taken ill you may be charged by airline if you have flown against medical advice.

I have not seen my extended family in far east since 2005 but I do video call them frequently.

The other factor to consider is weather at your destination -cold/ heat / humidity etc.

Wishing you well and let us know what you decide.

[Wjack in reply to Cloudancer]

Thank you so much for your reply.

I am not on oxygen or any I am just on medication.

[Maureenpearl in reply to Wjack]

You will still need to discuss traveling by air as you might need oxygen even though you do not use it. The pressure in the air changes and can affect the oxygen levels in your blood.

[AngieB72]

I don’t fly anymore as I can’t fly for over 8 hours even with oxygen. Flying with oxygen can be very complicated as some airlines provide oxygen and others don’t. If you have to provide your own concentrator then you have to have the battery power for the whole of your flight plus half again.You need to talk to your respiratory team as you may have to do a fit to fly test. I wasn’t on oxygen and had a fit to fly test and came out needing oxygen on the plane due to the reduced oxygen levels in the plane’s cabin. Insurance can be very expensive too. There is a lot to look into before booking anything - good luck.

[JJ_7]

Hi Wjack. Great advice here from Angie and cloudancer and I can't add anything. I am hoping someone might know of a cheap travel insurer for a 3 day break to visit Venice in short haul from Heathrow. I have been quoted £1350.00 by Able2travel (Similar for other companies) for a 3 day trip. I thnk just outrageous. Any advice is appreciated.

[teenieleek in reply to JJ_7]

Try the Post Office.

[JJ_7 in reply to teenieleek]

Thank you for your suggestion. I tried for a single trip to Europe for 4 days. It came to £382.00 on the lowest tier of cover. Being on a pension I think I would wish to spend this money on essentials. Again, thank you for your suggestion. I will think of asking people to visit me here in UK.

[madonbrew]

Hi Wjack, I have travelled worldwide over the years with severe asthma and multiple other health issues. I never go without travel insurance though and Iike the others have said, don’t fly against the advice of your medics.

Personally at the moment from a covid point of view I haven’t gotten on a plane since the pandemic started as being in an enclosed space with all those people doesn’t feel safe to me,however I guess you need to make your own choice on that.

I don’t know more about your lung condition and see you’re not on oxygen. I would just check with your dr to see if they agree you’re good to fly!

[madonbrew]

Some here will say you only have one life, live it and others will err on the side of caution so I think it’s really how you feel about it and how much you want or need to do it. 🙂

[Karenanne61]

Just to add that travel insurance is bloomin' expensive for those of us with chronic illnesses.

[Bham-Mo]

Hi WJack.In the early days before being fully diagnosed, the doctors told me not to fly. Some lung diseases can have dangerous effects like spontaneous pneumothorax when flying. So check with doctors what you can and cannot do.

Once diagnosed I did a fit to fly test. I was ok for a couple of years and now need oxygen when flying.

The other alternative to consider is car/trains and boats. Takes longer but definitely safer than flying. Like madonbrew says, do you really want to be stuck on plane with all this COVID and other bacteria around?

In short, speak to your doctors.

[Wjack]

Thank you all for your input, Very much appreciated from you all.As Madonbrew said you only have one life. And I intend to live it.

Thank you all so very much