I was wondering if anyone has tried flying with your PD machine? It won't fit in the overhead on the plane and we have been uneasy to check it in baggage. You know how they throw your luggage around. We do have a suitcase that DaVita provided us to put it in and it is a sturdy suitcase. We just don't want to get to where we are traveling and it not work.
We love to travel and my husband doesn't like driving. Any suggestions please.
We went to Vegas in November. My spouse contacted Baxter. You then contact the hotel (our case it was the Sahara) They need to "hold" the solution. They may charge you for the pleasure (they did with us) Arriving at the airport, HAVE a signed Dr. note. (VERY important) The machine needs to be stored on the plane (not in the hold) The larger planes usually have a spot on board. If they store it in the hold, THEY are responsible for its safety. You need to get a carrying case, which you can use for trips like this. Again, contact your treatment center, they can arrange to get you one. Do NOT wait till the last second. Any failures will then be on you! Good luck.
My husband and I have flown a number of times. He useds an Amia machine. It also comes with a suitcase-type carry on, which DOES fit into the overhead. Our clinic nurse told us NOT to check it in. It can get lost. It can get broken. Good luck.
Your PD machine is covered under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) of 1990 so the airline has to take it onboard without charge. In the case of your cycler, PD cyclers are often stored, near the front of the plane by the steward, but some "might" fit in the overhead bin. A day or two of solutions can go with you too, but it's important to arrange to have the bulk of your supplies waiting for you at your destination site. Start the planning early. Make sure you buy or borrow a special PD travel case for transport. Also, I completely agree with others to have a doctor's letter on you to vouch for you. This is a good site explaining how to handle things: davita.com/education/ckd-li....
On the trip to Vegas, no problem going. Coming back on a smaller plane they checked it in (against our wishes) I told them THEY are responsible for damages. Both flights were non stop. No issues, but the warning I gave them at Jet Blue did worry them a bit.
Good! Glad you warned them. A broken cycler would destroy anyone's trip. Cyclers aren't handed out like candy. Sheesh. My husband used the old and clunky HomeChoice Pro cycler. When lifting it off our nightstand, its bottom sagged. I can only imagine it's outcome being handled roughly, out of eyesight.
Who were you flying with and how big of plane was it. I just talked with someone from southwest and they told me they didn't have any place to store our cycler on the plane. She did tell me we could purchase another ticket to put the machine on and after the trip was complete they would refund us our ticket due to medical disability.
Thank you all
I guess no dialysis centers rent you a PD cycler at your destination do they?
I've never heard of any dialysis center renting out cyclers. In our experience, they were in very short supply. And there are different models with their own operating steps - so there's a learning curve. In addition, the machine you're given must be programmed with your specific prescription. It would be nice if everything was standardized, but it's not that way. So your machine with your prescription goes with you. It's completely individualized. Maybe your husband is using a newer model like the Amia. If so, those are really nice when traveling. They're lighter and smaller than others. We travelled with a old HomeChoice Pro - larger and heavier, but doable.
He uses the Home Choice Pro. Yeah our prescription is in our machine so we couldn't rent one if we could. Thanks.
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