Flying With Dodgy Lungs

[seonai]

As a lot of people know I have been suffering from a seriously dangerous bout of TB recently. Anyway my lungs have extensive damage including large cavities. My current Consultant hinted last time I saw him that he wouldn't recommend long flights as 'something could rupture inside my lungs'. I stupidly didn't ask for more info and just left smiling as usual.

Does anyone (Sheryl maybe) know of this and what should I do - not fly or fly?

Seonai

[cathyy]

There are two issues involved here. One is whether you have enough functioning lung to keep you alive at 10,000 feet, which is how much they pressurize the inside of the plane. I suspect you do, as you can get by with the loss of a lot of lung tissue.

The second issue is those cavities. At altitude, the air pressure in the cavity will press outward against the lower air pressure in your lungs. So it seems that a cavity could rupture. I am completely ignorant as to the effects of that happening, but I don't think it would be good. I'd ask a specialist about flying.

Sheryl?

[Sheryl]

Seonai,

If you still have (or may have) any active TB bacilli within the cavitations in your lungs, the collapse of a cavity might release these and re-activate the TB.

The best advice I can give you is to return to the specialist and ask him specifically (1) How long a period you can safely fly for (i,.e. what does "long" flight mean...or is it a question of altitude?); (2) whether there are anythings that can be done to make it safer, for example antibiotics before, during & after; using oxygen in flight (with a doctor's note this can be arranged with the airlines) etc. and (3) whether it will become safer with the passage of time.

With all that info you can then make an informed decision.

Take care

Sheryl

P.S. I take it you did not have the surgery??

Are you flying back to LOS??

[Tywais]

One is whether you have enough functioning lung to keep you alive at 10,000 feet, which is how much they pressurize the inside of the plane. I suspect you do, as you can get by with the loss of a lot of lung tissue.

Actually 8000 foot equivalent is the maximum allowed by regulations. 10,000 feet is marginal and dangerous for long distances.

"By government regulation, the cabin pressure cannot be less, at maximum cruise altitude, than the equivalent of outside air pressure at 8,000 feet."

Source: Boeing

[Mossfinn]

Anyway my lungs have extensive damage including large cavities.

Seanai,

As you know, I have damage to the lungs with cavities and I have flown to Thailand and back again with little trouble, however they are not as extensive or nearly as damaged as yours.

My current Consultant

Is this the one you are happier with? If so, you really need to ask her, and be very direct with your questions, listen to the answers and possibly question again. Do not leave until you happy and clear about whether you can safely fly or not.

I have a feeling that they might play on the safe side and suggest you shouldn't risk it, even if the risk is less than they might think.

At the end of it all, you will have to paddle your own canoe, just ensure you go through the whole Risk assessment strategy.

Good Luck

Moss

By the way, if you are there in December, we might actually, finally meet up

[seonai]

Thanks peeps, it's all a bit depressing really. I'll talk to my conslt and see what he says. Can you magine being trapped in one country because of an illness... jeez my whole life has been altered by TB - if anyone wants further info on TB or to read my story please look at my member profile for the web link

[zzdocxx]

Google "pneumothorax blebs flying".

[seonai]

thx but I don't think I have blebs do I? Mine is damage and cavities caused by TB

It's very confusing

[Sheryl]

Seonai,

I'm sure you are not trapped, and will be able to fly. The question is how soon and how long (i.e. should you schedule stopovers) and what if any precautions (meds, oxygen) you might need to take. I've not heard of anyone being permanently unable to fly at all from this condition.

Fingers crossed!

Sheryl

[Ijustwannateach]

Jeez, Seonai, I read your website story. Horrific! I hope things get better for you soon.

[zzdocxx]

thx but I don't think I have blebs do I? Mine is damage and cavities caused by TB

It's very confusing

(They are basically variations on a theme.)

Good luck, sorry to hear this has been such a trial for you.