Copd and travel

Chest and lungs
1

Hi all 

So I have a family holiday in November to Florida with my dad stage 3 copd sufferer...I will be getting him insurance for his condition (any recommendations would be great) my concern is he is on inhaler..he has flown last year and was fine this is a 9 hr flight though with a small flight to London...what is everyone’s experience flying?? He still smoke should he get a check up from the doctor beforehand? That’s another think o have said he should be keeping on top of..check ups but if the doctor/nurse doesn’t contact him he just leaves it. 

Thanks 

Leanne 

2

Greetings Leanne,

I have COPD and I'm horrified to hear that your father is still smoking with stage 3 COPD.If he can walk 10 feet without panting for breath, I'd be surprised. Could he even make it through the airport and onto a plane without alarming every airport official/employee. Next, If he is on oxygen, that is yet another hurdle he may need to clear. 

I strongly recommend that he visit his Dr. and discuss this with him/her as soon as possible. Such travel may not be recommended in his case Contacting the airlines may also provide you with help. 

Good luck to you all.

3

Hi Larry 

I have spoke with him about smoking and he’s not planning on stopping which I have had to except unfortunately...

He seems ok which I am surprised with ..he is slower at walking he always was a fast walker....no he doesn’t get oxygen I don’t think he can at home because he smokes? I have noticed him struggle put shoes on late on at night he says it because my house is warmer 🤔.. I just don’t want any issue flying ..can flying cause issues with someone with this condition?? 

Thanks for your help 

4

He will probably  need a fit to fly letter from his doctor so you need to sort this out asap.

Tell him that smoking can cause his disease to accelerate massively and he will end up on oxygen and dying early if he doesn't stop.  You can live on oxygen for many years but it doesn't sound like much fun.

I have mild copd and stopped smoking last year with the help of a good quit site.  Try the platform Health Unlocked and type in Quit to access it.  I couldn't have done it without them.  It doesn't matter what country you are in as they accept members from all over the world.  x

5

Hi 

I thought I might need a fit  to fly..would he need that for insurance..I just need to know why I need it so he bloody does it..

He knows he will deteriorate faster but honestly he’s accepted that...he lives alone and drinks a few beers a night and has always been very slim ..think the way he sees it is he’s happy and it will be the same outcome it will just come along faster 

X

6

Hi Larry 

I have spoke with him about smoking and he’s not planning on stopping which I have had to except unfortunately...

He seems ok which I am surprised with ..he is slower at walking he always was a fast walker....no he doesn’t get oxygen I don’t think he can at home because he smokes? I have noticed him struggle put shoes on late on at night he says it because my house is warmer 🤔.. I just don’t want any issue flying ..can flying cause issues with someone with this condition?? 

Thanks for your help 

7

Not the way it works a lot of the time.  His choice is remaining at the same or nearly the same level, or deteriorating fast where he could be on oxygen and be housebound for years.  That can't be much fun!  x

8

No that wouldn’t be fun...maybe you could answer this.. if he continues to smoke would he be allowed oxygen in the house?? I feel like he’s a ticking time bomb at times

Thanks

9

No he wouldn't be able to get oxygen if he smoked because of the risk of fire.  x

10

I thought that..but then I was thinking maybe if he smoked away from it..what would happen then..sorry about all the questions he just never asks ..I have offered to go along with him but he tells me last minute when he knows I have work ..

11

If he was still a smoker regardless of where he smoked he would be refused oxygen. I guess the thinking would be that even if he only smoked out of doors he might forget one day.  Also he would still have a lighter indoors.  x

12

Ok thank you...

Do you care for someone with this??

My father in laws stepdad just past away and he had this for years and years...I only seen him yearly as he stayed in the states he had gave up smoking before he got diagnosed with copd...but I hope my dad doesn’t get to that stage it was no life for his stepdad