Flying with copd and Asthma

[Bingo88]

Good morning everyone. Wanted some help from people with 1 or both of the above conditions and there experience on flying short haul on a flight just over 2 hours. I have not flown for over 6 years which was before being diagnosed with both conditions and a bit nervous about flying. But thinking about a bit of sunshine and getting away from our winter. Brian

[sassy59]

Good morning Brian, we used to fly but haven’t done so for13 years now. Pete’s never been on oxygen so was fine on short hall flights. He has both COPD and asthma but also other health issues now which means he no longer wishes to fly.

Can you speak to your doctor regarding flying? Hope you get away to the sunshine. Wishing you well.

Carole xxxx❤️

[Bingo88 in reply to sassy59]

Thanks Carole I think it's my dislike of flying as well which isn't helping me. Hope your both ok. I read that Pete is still struggling with the pain. Hope your doing ok. Brian

[sassy59 in reply to Bingo88]

I can understand that Brian. Pete doesn’t like flying either. We’re ok thank you but Pete is struggling. I’m encouraging him to move but he’s finding it hard.

You take care xxx❤️

[Bevvy]

Pre Covid I have flown with no issues. I don’t require oxygen so I didn’t worry that flying could be an issue. I have COPD/asthma and hope to fly to south of France next summer but the health reasons I am hesitant are due to other conditions not my breathing issues.

Hope you enjoy your time in the sun.

[Bingo88 in reply to Bevvy]

Thanks for your reply and thoughts to..I am not keen on flying which isn't helping me as well as my health. Brian

[Zand60]

Good on you, my great niece has crone's disease and they always forewarn the airport and they get fast tracked and well looked after.Sunshine 😎 I miss it.

Lesley xx

[Bingo88 in reply to Zand60]

Thank you Lesley. Yes it's nice to get away in our winter weather. I would really love to do Gracelands but I don't think I could do such a long flight. Especially if I struggle with a 2 hour flight. Brian

[Zand60 in reply to Bingo88]

Oh Brian, Graceland's would be wonderful 😊 could you do it in stages and turn it into a roadtrip?Lesley xx

[Bingo88 in reply to Zand60]

I think I would be happier on a cruise to America than the long flight. Brian

[O2Trees]

I had a fit to fly test where they put you in a cubicle and simulate the conditions in the pressurized plane cabin. I had this BEFORE I was using oxygen and turned out I did need oxygen for the flight. So I would have a chat with your GP, ask for a referral and take it from there. If your O2 sats are near to normal you may well be able to fly without supplemental oxygen and you do say it's a short haul flight, but best to be sure.

[Bingo88 in reply to O2Trees]

Thanks for your reply and advice. Brian

[Troilus]

I’ve flown with no problems (copd and asthma) flight was approx 3 hours. I had me blue inhaler to hand, just in case. We went to Spain and while I was there my peak flow went up. (Unfortunately it dropped again when we got back.)

Enjoy your break 😁

[Bingo88 in reply to Troilus]

Thanks very much. I should imagine the change of air over Spain helped as well. Brian

[Patk1]

Ivenot flown for 4yrs.ive severe asthma,bronchiectasis& many other lung probs.i prepared myself before flights and kept inhalers&meds in hand luggage.my asthma did complain,but kept under control with additional salbutamol and uniphyllin,as prescribed.i hope I u can go + enjoy some winter sun xx

[Bingo88 in reply to Patk1]

Yes thanks so much for your reply. Sabutamol sadly doesn't help me at all and my respiratory nurse hasn't suggested another inhaler to try. Brian

[Patk1 in reply to Bingo88]

I'd see Yr dr if nurse isn't proactive for u.ru on uniphyllin tablets( bronchodilaters)?x

[Bingo88 in reply to Patk1]

No just on Trelegy inhaler in a morning and Sabutamol to use during the day if necessary. But I told my respiratory nurse the Sabutamol doesn't help with my breathlessness at all. And just said it might be heart related then. But I have severe copd and Asthma so I would think she would give me the brown inhaler to try. I have told her the last 3 times that my morning coughing from January is still no better and she doesn't mention the cause of it. Or any further investigation. Brian

[Patk1 in reply to Bingo88]

I'd have chat with Yr gp x

[Bingo88 in reply to Patk1]

Yes I will do Thanks

[Lynnetp]

Hi, I have asthma and very severe COPD. I’ve recently had a Fitness to Fly test because I wanted to take my daughters to florida. I’d been so poorly for over 6 months and thought I was nearing the end. Having come through it, I’ve decided life’s too short.

I passed the fit to fly test and booked our holiday. My consultant said there’s no reason I shouldn’t fly. So although a bit nervous, I’m trusting my health professionals and currently looking forward to our last bonkers adventure as a family 💕

Maybe have a chat with your consultant. A bit of sunshine sounds wonderful for you. I hope you’re able to do it xx

[Bingo88 in reply to Lynnetp]

Thanks so much for your reply. I have sadly chickened out slightly because I am not keen at all on flying. But wanted to go for a month. But I am going now just for Christmas and New year by coach. Have an Amazing holiday. Brian

[Lynnetp in reply to Bingo88]

That’s wonderful! I hope you have a lovely time 😊

…….and, thank you. I’m sure we’ll have a great holiday too xx

[Patk1 in reply to Bingo88]

Enjoy x

[Bingo88 in reply to Patk1]

Cheers Thank you

[Lutontown]

The air in planes is low quality, and I can remember coming back from Madeira and gasping for breath all the way. The air pressure is controlled by members of the crew, and I've heard that it saves money for the airline to have the pressure lowered. Don't know if that's true. After visiting Endinburgh, I had a chest infection which I was sure I caught on the plane. Took ages to sort.

[Bingo88 in reply to Lutontown]

Yes I have also heard about bug floating around on planes as well. Guess it's the same on any transport. Brian

[BrigidsFire in reply to Lutontown]

I’ve heard the same. I’m usually fine on a flight, even a 10 hour one, but our last flight home was running late and I’m sure they changed the air pressure as my sats dropped to 52%! I felt ill but wasn’t gasping for air, fortunately.

Luckily we were only 40 minutes from landing and it was a short (3 hour) flight anyway.

My rheumatologist has referred me for a fit to fly test before our flight next April.

[Bingo88 in reply to BrigidsFire]

Thanks for your reply. Brian

[armstrong2]

hello flying is no problem with copd /emphysema ...l have had in the past 2yrs a lobectomy due to lung cancer also emphysema we flew to south africa last yr only 1yr after my op ...felt ok but unfortunately came back with covid which fortunately was very mild ...flew again this yr in june absolutely no problem this time so please do not let your health stand in the way of living your life ...you no your limatations so dont overdo that but enjoy your life

[Bingo88 in reply to armstrong2]

Thanks so much for your reply. I will try to my anxiety and over thinking things gets in the way of flying. I haven't flown for around 7 years now and I really would like to get to Gracelands in America. Brian

[Izb1]

I am sure that you would have been ok to fly Brian but now that you have booked the coach do you feel calmer about the trip. I hope you have a great holiday and enjoy some winter sunshine x

[Bingo88 in reply to Izb1]

Hello. I hope your keeping as well as possible. Yes I guess I would. But my anxiety was starting to play on my mind before I even booked it. And I woke up in the night to use the toilet and couldn't get back to sleep thinking about it. Sadly my anxiety stops me from doing a few things and it really annoys me because I wanted to go for a month instead of 10 days. Just hope I can face it next time in the near future before I start to need Dialysis which will make the journey so much more difficult. Take care and I hope you have some sunshine like me. Brian

[Nattfezz in reply to Bingo88]

hey Brian , I too get bad anxiety. I'm so scared to fly. My doct has said I'm ok to fly . I have a heart condition to , so that's why I'm scared 😢

[Bingo88 in reply to Nattfezz]

I just don't like the idea of being thousands of feet up in the air and something goes wrong. Hope your keeping well. Brian

[watergazer]

hi. I have asthma and bronchiectasis and haven’t stopped flying abroad for holidays. The Dreamliner plane is best for air quality. Tui have them and I’ve been to the Caribbean on them Even when poorly once I was okay flying. Take care. Hope you get away xx

[Bingo88 in reply to watergazer]

Thanks so much for your reply and yes I will get away somehow. Brian

[AsthmaandLung Administrator]

Hi Bingo88

I Have added some information for you below that may be helpful. If you have any questions, call our Health Care Advisors for advice on travel. You can call us on 0300 222 5800

asthmaandlung.org.uk/living...

Mon - Fri 9am-5pm

Take care

Helpline Team

[Bingo88 in reply to AsthmaandLung]

Thanks so much for your help. Brian

[Cloudancer]

Evening Brian.Would suggest having a chat with your doctor for advice.I have been told not to fly and that I wouldn't be covered by medical insurance if I flew against medical advice.

I didn't fly for many years but desperate to see my new grand daughter I flew from Birmingham to Arlanda (Sweden)a flight just over 2 hours.

It was tough the changes in air pressure upset my lungs and the smell of smokers perfume etc even wearing a mask was troublesome.

It is not something I would do again even though I had a nebuliser with me.

Best of luck with your decision take the medical advise given and let us know how you get on.

[Bingo88 in reply to Cloudancer]

Yes thanks very much. I have decided to go by coach now. Which is partly due to my anxiety about flying as well. Brian

[katieoxo60]

Hi Brian, I have flown short Haul with both, managed to get insurance too. You have to put your medical things in a clear bag seperate in the basket , plus any open water bottles etc when going through customs other wise you will end up being searched and held up at check in. The first time I flew they put me near the stewardesses station on the plane as they have firstaid there and oxygen just incase. I also have high blood pressure. I had a freind who was ninety and still travelled with her granddaughter long haul with Asthma etc.You can always book for airport assistance as times have changed they meet you at check in. So I would say go ahead and get away from it all to warmer climate , I'm sure you will feel refreshed when you get back. Check with GP that you can have any medical needs before going too. Enjoy your weekend.

[Bingo88 in reply to katieoxo60]

Yes I will do. Thanks

[Ergendl]

I have COPD Asthma overlap, and have flown several times since diagnosis with no problem. One time, I took a blood oxygen finger reader with me to check the SpO2 in my blood at different times in the flight, and there was little change. The worst drop was when I was hurrying through the airport with my heavy wheelie case, but I recovered quickly.

[Bingo88 in reply to Ergendl]

Thanks for your reply. Yes I get sob going upstairs but I recover quickly. I have an appointment with my Respiratory nurse in 2 weeks time so I will ask her for advice. Hope your keeping as well as possible. Brian

[Nattfezz in reply to Ergendl]

That is good to know . I've read it can drop by about 8-10

[Hussain1968]

Hi Bingo88I have stage 4 emphysema at 55 and took a 4 hour flight in March, and to be honest it knocked me sideways due to the altitude. It took a few days to get over the breathing issues due to the flight and will not be flying again. We are all different but its your choice.

[Bingo88 in reply to Hussain1968]

Thanks so much for your reply. I have decided to go by coach now. Hope your now fully recovered from your flight. Brian