Topic: Airplane Flying - how do you know if you can?
Health
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6034
posted
Hi everyone,
I have an appt with a LLMD and was thinking to fly on the airplane, but I am wondering if I would get very ill from the Barometer pressure?
I know when I was very sick with this disease, I drove to see the other LLMD and the trip was through the mountains and high up, and I had severe head pressure. like to die pressure.
I think this may be because of Babesia, I have been treating Babesia for 1 year or more, but still not that well, but thought that to fly
in the airplane is SO much quicker, instead of driving and I also could pay with Airmiles.
What do you all think? Has anyone flown on the airplane and had a stroke? or heart attack from Barometer pressure?
How could I tell if I would be ok? anyone know?
thanks,
Trish
Posts: 1250 | From Canada | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
Rent a portable oxygen concentrator. I've used this on my last few trips, and the $500 or so was worth not getting ill
Posts: 713 | From Los Angeles | Registered: Oct 2007
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
we've got 2 airline pilots who may be able to help you if they read your topic! good luck.
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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I don't meant to (I can't use the term I had intended to here) . . . uh, take over your thread . . . but this may also help others who have similar problems:
-----------------
If those two airline pilots come around, I have a related question:
Is there anyway to have a pilot wait - holding back until the plane in front of them on the runway when taxiing for takeoff is far enough away so that the exhaust of the fuel is not sucked into my plane?
this knock me out every time and makes me very, very ill for a week afterward, usually contributing to a ruined trip.
--
AND - I have Bose noise cancellation headset that I'm told to turn off during take off an landing. But those are the more torturous times for noise and can actually trigger seizures in me due to the intensity of vibration.
no ear plugs or plain muff are enough. I need plugs AND the electronic cancellation.
Suggestions?
---
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
I flew at my sickest to see my LLMD and had no trouble.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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karenl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17753
posted
I am very interested in this topic. I have to fly 11 hours soon and I am very afraid of brain problems. Would the oxygen also help with the chemical sensitivity? If someone has experience with oxygen on the plane please pm me for details. Thanks so much. Karen
Posts: 1834 | From US | Registered: Oct 2008
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posted
Oxygen concentrators help because the cannula pretty much isolates other air from going up your nose. You're pretty much breathing in pure air the whole time. I simply feel noticeably better vs when I used to fly without it. The only hassle is you'll have to have it approved by the airline and carry a physician statement of approval on board, and even then you might get questioned by flight attendants that haven't seen the darn thing before. But then again, you get to pre-board when you present it to the flight desk.
Posts: 713 | From Los Angeles | Registered: Oct 2007
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posted
I've been on a plane a few times in the past few years with lyme and babesia. AND, my husband and I drove to a VERY high elevation in Rocky Mountain National Park on our honeymoon. The drive in the park was literal torture on my head pressure and was MANY times worse than the plane. The plane only bothered me a little bit but was definitely very bearable compared to that drive! I don't know if you'll be the same but just wanted to share my experience.
Good luck!
Posts: 41 | From New Jersey | Registered: May 2009
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karenl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17753
posted
m0joey, so you fly with your own oxygen, which you can try before. Is it oxygen or just air? Can you also go on and off, if you want? With MCS I have trouble with the air in some places / airports, others are fine. So I understand I could go on oxygen and also off when the air is good. Is the oxygen tough for your lungs, does it any harm for the future? Did you get it from your doctor or do you need to go to a specialist?
Posts: 1834 | From US | Registered: Oct 2008
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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I had to have emergency oxygen once during a flight. It nearly saved my life and I felt great even getting off the plane. Usually, I am so very ill just from the flight.
In flights after that, without oxygen, I feel as if I've in a major accident with no sleep for a week and hung over (and I don't drink).
If you can get oxygen, that may very well help your trip be successful. It will cost you but it's well work it. And you'll have to plan it out in advance.
With a doctor's note, the airline will provide for you (but it costs so much for each leg of the trip - every time you touch down, that is considered a leg).
posted
it's pure oxygen from a concentrator. I rented the inogen one which was about 500 bucks for 3 weeks when I went to germany. You can shut it off/on, and with 4 batteries it lasted the whole 11 hr flight for me
Posts: 713 | From Los Angeles | Registered: Oct 2007
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groovy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6304
posted
I flew when I was at my sickest and had no problem --Jay--
Posts: 2999 | From Austin tx USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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For anyone with any sort of inner ear involvement, flying requires more attention.
I have lots of notes about what I've done - ginger, etc. -
and with MCS, oxygen would be a big help. But, for some of us, flying is just much rougher than for others.
For me, it's as if I, myself, hit the runway. And I'm a very laid-back and centered personality. It's my body that disinegrates (sp?). I used to have a fantastic time of flying - until I got ill - and the inner ear stuff really affects it more than anything.
For someone who is fine with balance and inner ear stuff, it is much easier.
Same thing if you go to a higher elevation, and especially when you are in a plane! Any depressurization or decrease in pressure will flare our symptoms.
Typically aircraft are pressurized to create a 6,000ft to 8,000ft (which is usually the max) environment at the highest cruising levels.
This varies depending on which altitude the aircraft is at and what type of equipment you are on, but if you are currently living in an area that is at about 1,000ft (Cincy,OH) and your body is sensitive to pressure changes, in theory I suppose you would feel it much more than someone living in Denver (5,000ft).
If it is a short flight and they don't need to climb really high it is possible the cabin altitude could only be at 4,000 ft or so.
I am guessing Flyinpiker is familiar with air travel?
You might want to check out the whole thread. I would maybe take something to help if you have any congestion in your head, before the flight, and be sure to drink plenty of water and get lots of sleep before and after.
Some people seem to be fine with flying, and others not.
Not concerning flying, but a related response to shift in air pressure - I know that I get lots more pain, especially in my head, joints and tendons, when a storm system moves in. Those are larger areas of inflammation.
I haven't been well enough to go through the process of even getting *onto* a plane since I got really sick. I think that's almost worse than the flight itself, in my estimation anyway.
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