I am wondering how folks with lung restrictions fair while traveling via airplane. I may have to take a flight soon and I have not flown since before my illness began 18 months ago. I am just now off the oxygen support. My lung capacity back to the normal range but my lung diffusion/efficiency is still around 65%. I live at sea level and don't know how my lungs would handle high altitudes. I am also still on prednisone and Imuran and suppose I would need to wear a facial mask the entire flight to protect myself from viruses. What have your experiences been in this area? Kelly

Hi Kelly I checked with my London respiratory doctors about me flying, (a four hour flight from the UK to Malta) and they said I was ok and gave me the go ahead. We decided however not to fly this year because of the airstrikes and the volcanic ash problem and went by ferry to France instead, So, i'm afraid I can't help any more than to say, my doctors were ok with it, and didn't have any special instructions for me. I would worry too about picking up a virus, as the air system in the plane is notorious for picking up coughs and colds, so a mask might be a good idea, Alison

Thanks for your reply Alison. I'm guessing I'd be okay, but I may be flying alone so I want to avoid any complications. And the hassle of having to deal with airline requirements of doctor's notes and getting ahold of the particular portable concentrator required for flying, well, I'm tempted to just go without and risk it. My doctors' never seem to really know about these things so I'm going to see if I can get a call into the respiratory therapist at my former pulmonary rehab facility. The RT's seem to be the only ones who know about negotiating the real world with these lungs. But I would definitely wear a mask! Kelly

Hi all, I have the same Q's about traveling via airplane, I haven't travel via airplane since getting sick from this disease. I am going to Nepal from Northa Carolina USA on 08/15/2011 it is a long flight, so is there going to be problem me traveling this long flights, please any advice would be appreciated. Thank you :)

I have traveled several times via airplane since my diagnosis and have not had any problems other than being very stiff when I got off the plane. I am on Cellcept and monthly IVIG therapy. I did not wear a mask, but I went through bottles of hand sanitizer!

I have traveled twice by airplane since going through this. Both flights were during time periods when I did not require supplemental oxygen so I did not have to deal with renting travel equipment or having doctor's notes to comply with airline regs. If you do require supplemental oxygen gear, each airline has their own policy that you can look up on their websites and they usually require doctor notes within 30 days of travel indicating what your O2 requirements may be. I did well on the flights but I did wear masks, use hand sanitizer and wipes on the armrests and table. I also tried to avoid using the bathroom and did not partake of any snacks/drinks (other than what I brought with me). But these were relatively short flights. have a wonderful trip! Kelly