Has anyone been abroad to Cyprus?

[Carol3]

We have a family wedding next july and I am concerned the weather is going to be too hot 29th July 2013. If you have been therer how did you cope with COPD etc?

[swallow]

Just some general info, I wish you the best of luck, it would be nice if you could make it.

I'm off to Cyprus in October and visit twice a year have done for the past 15yrs RAF connections. We have friends who live there, never visit July because of the high humidity and temps, average daily temp in July is 33c which is ok but the humidity is tough even for the Cypriots!!

I've just been given the ok by the hospital that I'm fit to fly in October and will be visiting Cyprus then for a few weeks. My oxygen levels are just on the cut off mark of 95 anything below and oxygen is required.

Most local hospitals in the UK actual do assessment to a see if you require Oxygen during your flight and also to find out if you're well enough. There is a charge for this procedure and the average cost is anything between £60-£130, some units are cheaper than others. The procedure can be organised by your Respiratory Nurse or GP.

There are ways to cope with it and providing you don't plan to go hiking lol the best way is to take life very much in the slow lane and don't sleep with air con on of a night, but a fan is good.

Every where is air conditioned, so you'd be fine going out to restaurants etc.

If you go and need medical care make sure you take your EHIC card with you and check also it's in date before you leave, the card allows you to have medical care including meds at the General Hospital without charge, the same applies for all EU countries.

There are also many private hospitals, but take care your condition is not excluded on your insurance otherwise you'll be paying the bill yourself, after saying that to see a Dr in a private hospital doesn't cost a fortune, approx 50e.but meds can be costly.

I stay in Paphos and although I've never used the General Hospital I know many that have, it has a good reputation and good care, but not like UK hospitals, Cyprus is still a few years behind but not when it comes to treating people, it's good, many Dr's trained UK. If you're staying Limassol or Larnaca I don't know there so well.

If you require oxygen and fly Easyjet you have to provide your own, no charge, it's approx a four and half hour flight, so you need to take sufficent for the journey. A number of airlines flying from Manchester to Paphos provide the oxygen free!! but others may charge to use theirs.

[HuwieHex in reply to swallow]

I have had fitness to fly assessments on three occasions at my local hospital upon the instruction of the Thoracic Consultant and there has never been any suggestion that this is a chargeable service.

And I do endorse the advice above about traveli insurance. You must declare any condition which may give rise to a claim.

[Carol3 in reply to HuwieHex]

Thanks a for your info too, these days we half expect to be charges for everything! We have not been abroad for several years so will look around for best- (Cheapest or best suited) Insurance policy.

[Carol3 in reply to swallow]

Thank you for all your very useful information. Based on what you said about humidity it sounds like Bernie would find it really bad in July.We could visit another time as you suggest and meet up with them, then. Never thought about oxygen side of flying.

Bernie has a appointment in September with his Lung specialist so will seek advise as well. We appreciate your reply as someone who has" been there" with the same condition does help. His health is more important.and at present is stable.

So thanks again for "all" the info. xx

[swallow]

Both local hospitals to where I live make a charge, one £60 and the other £130.

[Carol3 in reply to swallow]

Thank you swallow for all your useful information. We think the humidity will be too much from what you said with C O P D in July. It might be better to meet up in April or October as you suggest. Will take on board all your advise about Cyprus as it is useful to know.We have not flown for a few years to say the least! So thanks again and will let you know how we get on .

[Carol3]

Will keep you updated as to how we get on as it may be useful to others. So thanks again for all the info. xxx