View Full Version : Can He Fly???????????????????????????
Cals99
04-13-2008, 01:34 PM
Hello, I am new to the forum. I will make it quick. My father is 74, has ALS, is in year 3 of the disease, lives in Greece, is in a wheelchair, lost use of both hands and legs have slowly deteriorated. He wants to come back to the US to spend his last year or so with his children.
The doctors in Greece are ridiculous. Nobody will sign off on him flying back. They are being wishy-washy about everything. The flight time is 11 hours. Will the cabin pressure, lack of oxygen and higher altitudes be a huge risk. He has a breathing machine that is portable, I checked TSA website and the device is allowed and the airlines are fine with it. Ticket must be first/business class as he will need an electrical outlet. Anyone have experience with this situation? Thanks alot for any help.
-Cal
Xtina1217
04-14-2008, 10:50 AM
Cal,
My father is actually taking his second flight in less than 2 monthes. Although it was not the easiest of trips there were no medical concerns from our experience what so ever. The best thing I could tell you is just make sure that the airline is informed of what his medical condition is ahead of time, and also to get to the airport with enough time to make sure that the airline follows through with any accomodations they say they will. I hope that was helpful... any other questions feel free to ask!
Christina
You might want to contact a med. escort team. Google them online and you should be able to find plenty. Even if you don't plan on using them, I'm sure they can give you a lot of info.
My mother in law will be flying from India to the US in about a week. She will have a doctor and a nurse that will be accompanying her along with her son. She is on a vent. has a PEG, and requires suctioning. We are told that all of this is possible to do on a commercial airline with a medical team.
Best of luck to you and your father. I know how confused you must be - I've been there.
quadbliss
04-14-2008, 03:06 PM
Hi Cal,
There are a couple things I would add to what has already been said. I wouldn't rely on the aircrafts electrical system. I would bring back-up batteries, either sealed lead acid (http://www.pulmonetic.com/catalog/catalog_power_and_batteries.aspx?1036369 971) with protected terminals, or Lithium-Ion batteries (http://www.cpapman.com/batterygeek.html) with protected terminals.
Also, get something in writing from the airline if you plan to use the Bi-Pap? during take-off and landing. In my experience, your biggest obstacle will be the flight attendants on the day of travel.
Mike
Cals99
04-14-2008, 07:05 PM
Thank you soo much for your suggestions. I guess my question mainly concerns what a doctor says about flight. If anyone knows what a doctor would say. Getting these europeans to give a direct answer is like pulling teeth. Thanks.
-Cal
quadbliss
04-14-2008, 07:19 PM
Hi Cal,
If he has no problem processing oxygen, ie. COPD, and they will allow him to use a Bi-Pap on the plane to compensate for his weakened breathing muscles, I don't see a problem. However, there could be issues we don't know about.
Mike
