Can't fly

Noticed the ad on this page "How soon can I fly again". I was told not so long ago by my cardiologist that he would prefer that I don't fly again in future - have to take holidays in UK which wouldn't be bad if my OH was keen on driving!
I have pulmonary hypertension and believe this is why he has asked me not to fly.

10 Comments

Hmmm....

by ela-girl - 2008-04-26 01:04:10

This seems strange to me. I would also say get another opinion. I started flying 5 months after my implant with NO problems. Well, the only problems I have from time to time is waiting for someone to come pat me down at the security gate! It's my understanding that pulmonary hypertension is exacerbated with exertion...I don't see how flying qualifies??? Unless we're missing something here...

ela-girl

Why????

by Ignatius - 2008-04-26 01:04:47

Hi, I had my dual chamber pacemaker implanted in June 2006. My first flight from SA to China was in November 2006. I didnt have any problems during the flight or after the flight. My doctor have no problem for me to fly. Get a second opinion on that. Keep pacing, Regards Ig

BLF

by Lotti - 2008-04-26 02:04:57

Hi there.
Had a quick browse as I don't have PH.
Take a look at the British Lung Foundations website and put in "flying" in the search. It mentions the cabin pressure as an issue but if you can walk without getting breathless then you should be OK.
I would suggest asking your doc to be specific about why they think you cant fly. As if they say no, then you wont be able to get insurance as that is one of the specific questions the insurers ask.. Do you have medical permission to fly?
Hope you get a satisfactory answer. (and a holiday!)

Lotti (UK)

pulmonary hypertension

by mytrose44444 - 2008-04-26 03:04:45

hello

my partner has very severe pulmomnary hypertension she has had many problems associated with this disease .we recently moved from colorado to california and we were wondering about her flying instead nof driving but was told by her pulmonologist and cardiologist that she could not ever fly because oof the pressure ,also this disease causes yoy to be short of breath 24/7 but there are different degrees of the disease some have it worse that others some use oxygen some don't .my partner is on oxygen 24/7 and still can't walk more than a few feet without stopping,there is a PH web site that may help you get some answers.
valerie

Can't fly

by MHCHAMPION - 2008-04-26 04:04:47

Hi Florald,
I have flown at least four round trip flights since getting my PM in Aug 2005. One to New Orleans, one to Seattle, one to Nevada, and just this past week to Florida. I live in South Carolina. I've had no problesm with my PM at all!
I always ask for a hand search and have always gotten it with no problems there either. All TSP employees have been very nice.
I hope you find out WHY you can't fly? It must be something other than the PM.
Keep on Pacing,
Margaret

Flying

by bini - 2008-04-26 07:04:46

I would get a second opinion about flying. I had to fly out of state to get my PM implanted. Five days after the implant I was flying home. Everything was fine- no problems at all!

I would ask your Doctor why he said this too you, what is his reason?

Anyway, I hope this helps!

Christine

Flying

by bini - 2008-04-26 07:04:52

I would get a second opinion about flying. I had to fly out of state to get my PM implanted. Five days after the implant I was flying home. Everything was fine- no problems at all!

I would ask your Doctor why he said this too you, what is his reason?

Anyway, I hope this helps!

Christine

Flying

by shawna123 - 2008-04-26 09:04:13

I agree with everyone else. No one ever told me not to fly. They just cautioned me that I would have to have someone to pat me down because I couldn't go thru the detectors.

Check with your doctor for the reason and/or get a second opinion.

Flying

by IanMcC - 2008-04-26 09:04:47

Hi, I dont know anything about pulmonary hypertension but I know a lot about flying with a pacer.
I fly every month to different places in my job as a ships Captain and my wife and I have home's in southern China and Australia so we commute back and forth there too.
My first flight with my pacer was a week after immplantation (yuck I hate that word, sounds like I have something growing). Anyway, I never mention to anyone that I have the pacer and walk straight through the security screens with never a beep and with no effect to me. I have even been in an airport where the security was extra tight and everyone was scanned even after going through the security gates, my leather shoes and glasses in my pocket made the beeper go off but not the pacer. I do mention the pacer if I am being scanned with a wand so as not to frighten the guard if it goes off. But have found that the pacer does not set this off either. I think it is because it is beneath the skin, like false teeth etc. So don't worry about security at airports, just behave as you would have before the pacer.
All the best; Ian.

There are other modes of travel...

by Swedeheart - 2008-04-28 01:04:33

Hello,

Well, I agree with others, get details from your doc on not flying... but then there are lovely cruise ships, trains, busses... so you can still consider foreign travel if desired...?

Good luck!

Swedeheart

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