This is topic Advise for airplane travel? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.


To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/55958

---

Posted by LuLuFlorida (Member # 12066) on :
 
I was just wondering if anybody here takes any special precautions before traveling on an airplane? I know that Lyme lowers are immune systems and I want to avoid getting sick at all costs. In March, I flew to NY and caught a nasty stomach bug and I want to avoid this happening at all costs! Any suggestions would be helpful. By the way I am on Zith/Mepron and want to make sure whatever I take does not interact with these meds.
 

---

Posted by 5dana8 (Member # 7935) on :
 
Here are a few tips for air travel that help me:

Take wheel chair service. This helps me conserve strength. Could not make it from gate to gate unless I took wheel chair service.

Drink lots & lots of water. Flying can dehydratae you. I try to drink extra water as much as possible. But it does make me have to go more often, but in the long run, it's worth it to me. Do not drink any water from inside the plane, Always make sure it's bottled & No ice.

Bring along some towelettes or hand sanitizer lotion. They sell hand wipes with just alcohol in them if you are sensitive to the anti-bacterial hand saniterzers. Make sure to wipe off your hands frequently specially before touching foods or even drinking something.

You can get alcohol toweletts in the bandaid section of any drug store.

Another germ protector is if you get a glass of beverage on a plane make sure to cover it with a napkin. Lots of airborn stuff floating around that can settle in your glass.

Also wipe your tray table off with an alcohol wipe before you use it.

Try not to touch your eyes nose or mouth with your hands while travrling. Bring along a travel sixe packet of klenex.

I have worn a mask before, in the beginning of lyme when I would catch everything that comes down the pike. I know I might look like funny but at the point now, I just don't care what other people think.

You can buy airborn tablets. All this is extra c & other supps to boost your immune system. Some friends takes it on their trips & swears buy it. I never travel without my botttle of echinacea & golden seal. I get it at my cvs. It's in an acohcol tincture. Start a few days before you travel & a fews days after you get to your destination.

Hope this helps & be well

Dana
 

---

Posted by greg (Member # 1250) on :
 
howdy, as a flight attendant i think i can help...I have lyme, and fly 10 hours a day, three days a week. I"M "better" meaning i havent had abx for three years now. I manage with herbs and a rife machine. The plane is a dirty, hostile environment for a lyme patient. Stay hydrated, take b complex and stay away from carbs and sugar. If your immune system is on the fritz wear a mask and sanitize your seating area. Dont worry what the stews are thinking, we know the plane is gross. hell we would wear masks if we could!!!. the lack of o2 and pressure will wreak havoc on the neuro sx. not much you can do there. When you get to your final destination hit the dry sauna or go for a run, thats what I do. I stay healthy on the road and havent been sick (cold flu) in a long time. Remember to sleep well and stay away from the booze and coffee. dont touch anything in the bathroom, but your mom prolly already told you that....enjoy your flight:)
 

---

Posted by trueblue (Member # 7348) on :
 
Looks like you're pretty well covered there LuLu.

The only other thing I do (I haven't done all the things Dana and Greg have suggested but) is I use Xlear nasal wash usually after getting off the plane. It's got Saline, Xylitol and Grapefruit seed extract. I figure a couple of spritzes will at least rinse away and, hopefully, kill anything that found it's way in my nose.

Ok, one other thing. When I'm offered drinks I tell them I want water and lots of it. The more I drink the better I feel. I had one attendent give me a liter bottle; I had no problems drinking it. (Oh but you do wind up trying not to touching anything in the bathroom more often. ;D)
 

---

Posted by lifeline (Member # 3445) on :
 
When flying, I seem to get severe head pressure now. My LLMD said it is due to sinuses plus ear pressure (tinnitus), which I've had since Lyme.

He told me to take 2 Sudafed tablets before plus use Afrin. My ear doctor also told me to use Earplanes, which you can buy at Walmart stores.

I will be flying the end of July, and you can bet I will have my earplanes handy along with extra Sudafed and Afrin. The head pressure was unbearable - never have I had head pressure like that before Lyme.

Lots of water is good advice as others have said, also.

lifeline
 

---

Posted by LuLuFlorida (Member # 12066) on :
 
Thanks everybody! I started taking Airborne two days prior too my trip and throughout my trip. I also sanitized my seating area by using alcohol. I have been home for 3 days now and have no sign of a cold!
 

---

Posted by savebabe (Member # 9847) on :
 
Dr B once told me to take levaquin for two weeks prior to flying, especially if the trip is longer than 6 hours.

Personally, I try not to use the bathroom and buy my own water prior to boarding. I also wash my cloathes immediately after I get home.

Gotta love my lyme OCD. lol
 

---

Posted by MariaA (Member # 9128) on :
 
I was flying a lot when I was really ill last year prior to treatment, and I found that you really need extra water- it's hard to get enough just from the flight attendant drinks service as they tend to give out pretty small servings of drinks. I started bringing along an empty water bottle and filling it in the water fountain inside the gate (you cant bring your own water through security but you can buy it after you've passed through the security checkpoint, and bring it on the plane with you.

If you're worried about the bathroom sanitation just bring some disposable medical gloves. Seriously. If anyone asks and you don't want to discuss your medical condition, just say that you're immune compromised. They'll understand that part.
 

---

Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
 
outstanding tips from greg; breaking up to read points given better...

quote:

---

Originally posted by greg:

howdy, as a flight attendant i think i can help...I have lyme, and fly 10 hours a day, three days a week.

I"M "better" meaning i havent had abx for three years now. I manage with herbs and a rife machine.

The plane is a dirty, hostile environment for a lyme patient.


Stay hydrated, take b complex and stay away from carbs and sugar. If your immune system is on the fritz wear a mask and sanitize your seating area .


Dont worry what the stews are thinking, we know the plane is gross. hell we would wear masks if we could!!!.

the lack of o2 and pressure will wreak havoc on the neuro sx. not much you can do there.

When you get to your final destination hit the dry sauna or go for a run, thats what I do.

I stay healthy on the road and havent been sick (cold flu) in a long time.

Remember to sleep well and stay away from the booze and coffee. dont touch anything in the bathroom , but your mom prolly already told you that....enjoy your flight:)

---