Advice please from those with breathing issues like COPD, asthma, etc.

[Eeyore's Tiara]

I have recently been diagnosed with COPD and asthma and was told that allergies will trigger flares for me. I have noticed that when I have an allergic reaction it does tend to cause me to need "rescue" treatment.

What have you noticed at WDW that would cause you an allergic response?

I now have a chemical sensitivity that wasn't noticable before. Smells, smoke machines, etc. tend to set me off. I have adult onset asthma, so this is all new to me.

I went to WDW last year, but I cant remember the places that would now be an issue for me. I do remember POTC having a smoke screen, but I wonder if that will trigger my asthma problems? How did it affect those of you with breathing issues and what did you do about it?

I'm already having a hard time transferring into POTC, so I might have to give it up totally if it affects my breathing. :sad2: And I'll miss Jack Sparrow!

I have looked into a portable nebulizer because I don't want to carry the one I use at home around!

Any advice would be appreciated! I will be taking 3 little girls with me and I don't want to dissapoint them, so I would like to get prepared now for what I need to have handy or avoid. Thank you!

[LauraVV]

Allergies are so very individualized so I don't think anyone can advise you about that. We have a portable Pari neb I purchased on ebay. It was actually less expensive than using insurance since insurance didn't want to pay for a battery. Ebay was less expensive for the whole thing than the battery alone from a local DME company. It cost about $120. We've had several Omrons and I like the Pari much better. It comes with a little canvas case that we carries the compressor, meds, etc.

[BabyFu18]

I don't know what might trigger your asthma, but I would recommend a portable nebulizer incase you need it. I have bad asthma and keep multiple meds with me at all times and in the parks will keep my portable nebulizer with me.

[Mary976]

Well, I can give you some ideas of what my DD (16) had problems with. Of course, her triggers may be way different than yours, but here are some possibilities.

She did not have a problem with POTC, but we know someone who did. Also, there is similar "smoke" in the Great Movie Ride in MGM, at the Alien part. DD was fine with the orange "scent" in Soarin, but I could see that being problematic for someone who is very sensitive.

There is fake smoke at the night parade at MK, but you can easily avoid it if you sit back a little bit.

There are lots of potential triggers at Animal Kingdom. DD was fine on the safari, and the walk through animal exhibits at the front, but she had a lot of problems at the Affection Section petting zoo part, both with the animals and all the hay they have there. There's also a lot of trees and plants and whatnot at the AK.

She has some issues with chlorine, although we were able to stay at the waterpark for short time. She tried the shark reef swim at TL, but the very cold water made her chest tight.

She had a bad attack at Teppan Edo, the Japanese restaurant in Epcot, where they cook the food at the table in front of you.

Our biggest problem, though, was cigarette smokers. Some do not stay in the designated areas, and some of the designated areas are very close to walkways so the smoke drifts out. Also, we ended up having to have our hotel room moved. We were at French Quarter and the exterior door of our room was directly outside a smoking area.

I highly recommend the portable neb. She had her rescue inhaler with her all the time, and then we left the neb and supplies at first aid.

Good luck!
Mary

[Eeyore's Tiara]

Allergies are so very individualized so I don't think anyone can advise you about that. We have a portable Pari neb I purchased on ebay. It was actually less expensive than using insurance since insurance didn't want to pay for a battery. Ebay was less expensive for the whole thing than the battery alone from a local DME company. It cost about $120. We've had several Omrons and I like the Pari much better. It comes with a little canvas case that we carries the compressor, meds, etc.

I don't know what might trigger your asthma, but I would recommend a portable nebulizer incase you need it. I have bad asthma and keep multiple meds with me at all times and in the parks will keep my portable nebulizer with me.

Well, I can give you some ideas of what my DD (16) had problems with. Of course, her triggers may be way different than yours, but here are some possibilities.

She did not have a problem with POTC, but we know someone who did. Also, there is similar "smoke" in the Great Movie Ride in MGM, at the Alien part. DD was fine with the orange "scent" in Soarin, but I could see that being problematic for someone who is very sensitive.

There is fake smoke at the night parade at MK, but you can easily avoid it if you sit back a little bit.

There are lots of potential triggers at Animal Kingdom. DD was fine on the safari, and the walk through animal exhibits at the front, but she had a lot of problems at the Affection Section petting zoo part, both with the animals and all the hay they have there. There's also a lot of trees and plants and whatnot at the AK.

She has some issues with chlorine, although we were able to stay at the waterpark for short time. She tried the shark reef swim at TL, but the very cold water made her chest tight.

She had a bad attack at Teppan Edo, the Japanese restaurant in Epcot, where they cook the food at the table in front of you.

Our biggest problem, though, was cigarette smokers. Some do not stay in the designated areas, and some of the designated areas are very close to walkways so the smoke drifts out. Also, we ended up having to have our hotel room moved. We were at French Quarter and the exterior door of our room was directly outside a smoking area.

I highly recommend the portable neb. She had her rescue inhaler with her all the time, and then we left the neb and supplies at first aid.

Good luck!
Mary

It really sounds like a portable nebulizer is a must for me. I will be getting one before we go this year. Thank you all for your help!

I also am finding that I have trouble with chlorine and cigarette smoke. A lot of things didnt bother me before but it does now. The smoke machines are a problem and I was worried about where they used them. I hadn't even thought about AK and the problems there! :eek:

It really sounds like I'm going to have to be on my toes this trip. Someone has already mentioned the smoke machines at MK during MNSSHP. I hadn't even thought about anything like that since I've never been. We were planning to go this year...:sad2:

[Eeyore's Tiara]

I am wondering, how often did you have to use your nebulizer while you were at WDW? I would like to know so I can figure on how much xoponex to take with me.

Did you all leave your nebulizers at the first aid or did you carry it around with you if it was portable?

I know I'm asking alot of questions, and hopefully they're not to dumb, but I'm trying to avoid any major surprises when I get there.:)

[Belle1962]

I would avoid the first (very front) benches at The Festival of the Lion King---show starts with lots of "smoke" being blown up around the floor.

[BabyFu18]

The last time I went to Disney I did two breathing treatments (one early, one late) and used my multiple inhalers during the day. My asthma has gotten worse since then so I'll keep my nebulizer with me in the parks as well as my inhalers. Surprisingly I feel like my asthma is better in FL than it is here at home, so even though I take my meds 4 times a day and breathing treatments at least twice a day it's a lot better than what I do here at home.

[mechurchlady]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23229799#post23229799&highlight=perfume

That is a very good thread to look at. I found out that there are lots of devices that pump in faint odours like mold, plants, and fresh coolkies. If your triggers are smoke related then that is another whole thing. As fas as I know those in that thread are the only ones that are obvious enough or have been reported as existing.

[LauraVV]

I am wondering, how often did you have to use your nebulizer while you were at WDW? I would like to know so I can figure on how much xoponex to take with me.

Did you all leave your nebulizers at the first aid or did you carry it around with you if it was portable?

How many nebs do you use on your worst day? I always take about two or three times that. I don't ever want to be surprised.

I'd never leave the neb in a First Aid center. If you need a neb you certainly don't want to be across the park from your treatments. My daughter received a Tinkerbell bag years ago. We keep important stuff in there like wipes, nebs, meds, dog bags, etc.

[Eeyore's Tiara]

Thank you all for the great tips! I am usually such an avid planner, think crazy planner, and my health has been one thing I havent been able to plan or control. You all have at least helped me feel like I can maintain some control during my vacation.

I will have to watch out for smoke machines and perfumes being piped in. I appreciate the link so I can have an idea of where to be careful.

I will take the nebulizer with me into the park so I have it for emergencies.


How many nebs do you use on your worst day? I always take about two or three times that. I don't ever want to be surprised.

I'd never leave the neb in a First Aid center. If you need a neb you certainly don't want to be across the park from your treatments. My daughter received a Tinkerbell bag years ago. We keep important stuff in there like wipes, nebs, meds, dog bags, etc.

I am having to use it up to 4 times a day right now because of bronchitis and the start of pneumonia from a respiratory infection. So if I take enough for 4-6 treatments a day I should be okay?

My oldest daughter is really good about carrying things around for me in her backpack that she thinks I will need. She always has spare sanitizer, wipes, medicine, etc. She's my little nurse! I am so glad I have people around me who help me and whose memory hasn't gone like mine has...:laughing:

Thank you all for your advice and help!

[ShellChelle]

One thing we learned the hard way is to ALWAYS ask not only to have a non-smoking room, but to find out, if possible, if the room was ever a smoking room, or if there are smoking rooms nearby. I think on-site properties are non-smoking, so this should not be an issue, but it may be if you are off-site, as we were one year.

Three years ago, we stayed at a hotel with both smoking and non-smoking rooms and although the room we were in was marked non-smoking, apparently it must have just been converted. My then 2-year-old had such a horrible asthma attack, even on daily doses of proventil and albuterol, that we ended up spending two days at the hospital in Celebration.

Also, we've found that the time of year makes a big difference, too. DS and DD7 both has a harder time in the spring, so we try to avoid vacationing outdoors in April and May (their worst times of year).

Of course, the Illuminations cruise is out for us, we can't take the chance of smoke blowing in our direction with the kids on board.

I also pack hypo-allergenic pillow cases and pillow covers to use on the kids' pillows when traveling.

[of2dbeach]

I have recently been diagnosed with COPD and asthma and was told that allergies will trigger flares for me. I have noticed that when I have an allergic reaction it does tend to cause me to need "rescue" treatment.

What have you noticed at WDW that would cause you an allergic response?

I now have a chemical sensitivity that wasn't noticable before. Smells, smoke machines, etc. tend to set me off. I have adult onset asthma, so this is all new to me.

I went to WDW last year, but I cant remember the places that would now be an issue for me. I do remember POTC having a smoke screen, but I wonder if that will trigger my asthma problems? How did it affect those of you with breathing issues and what did you do about it?

I'm already having a hard time transferring into POTC, so I might have to give it up totally if it affects my breathing. :sad2: And I'll miss Jack Sparrow!

I have looked into a portable nebulizer because I don't want to carry the one I use at home around!

Any advice would be appreciated! I will be taking 3 little girls with me and I don't want to dissapoint them, so I would like to get prepared now for what I need to have handy or avoid. Thank you!

the only 2 places i can remember that ever caused me a problem with my asthma are soarin in Epcot and a dinosaur ride in Epcot.trying to think of anything else but nothing comes to mind. i tried to go on soarin again last time but couldnt and asked to leave before the ride started and they were Very nice about it. i always travel with my inhailors just in case . maybe try to time it that you can use your inhailor right before getting in line for a ride but remember to space out the inhailor treatments at least 4 hrs apart. you can always ask before you go on a ride if it has smoke etc. i am highly allergic to sulfates, codine and penn of all things. not easy to get around these things but i try to.if in dought just sit it out.if your kids are old enough id let them go on it alone and wait right at the exit for them. my 12 yr old also has a cell phone ( just in case ). hope you have a great trip !:laundy:

[Eeyore's Tiara]

I also pack hypo-allergenic pillow cases and pillow covers to use on the kids' pillows when traveling.

Thank you for the great input, I hadn't even thought of taking my own pillow cases! :thumbsup2

you can always ask before you go on a ride if it has smoke etc. i am highly allergic to sulfates, codine and penn of all things. not easy to get around these things but i try to.if in dought just sit it out.if your kids are old enough id let them go on it alone and wait right at the exit for them. my 12 yr old also has a cell phone ( just in case ). hope you have a great trip !:laundy: Thank you! My oldest dd does have a cellphone, just for emergencies! So that's a good idea.

I am allergic to codeine too! And I found out the hard way I'm allergic to cephlasporins, and now I'm having trouble with some pennicillin products too.......:confused: The doctors I see said I'm developing a drug "sensitivity" issue. :sad2:

I am seriously scared to death:scared: to pass out in WDW. It will take an hour for them to read my health card and with all the new breathing issues, it scares me.

OOoohh, and don't even mention housework or laundry...:rotfl2:

[BeckyScott]

My son has three big triggers- typical hayfevery stuff, some animals, and mold.

Any place that has that "basement" smell to it can be a problem. We can't go to the local movie theatre, he spent most of "A Bug's Life" out in the lobby with the nebulizer, and we haven't gone back since. Since it's the only movie theatre in town, we have to wait for the DVD. ;)

The hayfever-type stuff I'm not so worried about. I also have hayfever, with the same plant triggers as him, and I once lived in Florida for 4 years and the plants are different and it was much better for me. Ah, then I returned to the Midwest. :sad2:

I don't know if he will react to any of the piped-in stuff or not, we have no experience with that at all. I am thinking and thinking... incense and candle smoke, that sort of thing, so I'm guessing fireworks smoke would be bad. The moldy-musty thing, which may be a factor on some of the water rides? But he's been on those *type* of rides before and no problem. Seriously, IIRC, all of Florida kinda smells. :lmao: Not in a bad way, but different. I don't think he's ever been around a fog machine. Hmmm.

The animals, of course, he's only been tested for dog and cat. (does anyone allergy test for elephants?) :confused3 He's okay if it is a ventilated space, and he washes his hands if he touches them. So like, a zoo is fine (which is close enough to AK) but my friend's house which is practically a pet shop, not okay.

I will have his inhaler with me and we're taking the nebulizer although I hadn't planned to have it in the parks, just at the hotel room.

[of2dbeach]

Thank you for the great input, I hadn't even thought of taking my own pillow cases! :thumbsup2

Thank you! My oldest dd does have a cellphone, just for emergencies! So that's a good idea.

I am allergic to codeine too! And I found out the hard way I'm allergic to cephlasporins, and now I'm having trouble with some pennicillin products too.......:confused: The doctors I see said I'm developing a drug "sensitivity" issue. :sad2:

I am seriously scared to death:scared: to pass out in WDW. It will take an hour for them to read my health card and with all the new breathing issues, it scares me.

OOoohh, and don't even mention housework or laundry...:rotfl2:

other thing i thought of is getting yourself a medical allert bracalet. i got one for my autistic son and as his meds change i can go on the web site and change the dosage etc. it also has emergency numbers and if he is allergic to anything. on the bracelet itsself it says Autistic / mostly non verbal call medical allert for more info.. he has run away a few times especialy after the hurricanes and it has been a true life saver for us ;)
lets not talk about laundry or housework.. we have 5 kids !!

[SueM in MN]

and a dinosaur ride in Epcot.
Just in case anyone is trying to figure out what ride that is, it's Ellen's Energy Adventure.

[Eeyore's Tiara]

My son has three big triggers- typical hayfevery stuff, some animals, and mold.

Any place that has that "basement" smell to it can be a problem. We can't go to the local movie theatre, he spent most of "A Bug's Life" out in the lobby with the nebulizer, and we haven't gone back since. Since it's the only movie theatre in town, we have to wait for the DVD. ;)

The hayfever-type stuff I'm not so worried about. I also have hayfever, with the same plant triggers as him, and I once lived in Florida for 4 years and the plants are different and it was much better for me. Ah, then I returned to the Midwest. :sad2:

I don't know if he will react to any of the piped-in stuff or not, we have no experience with that at all. I am thinking and thinking... incense and candle smoke, that sort of thing, so I'm guessing fireworks smoke would be bad. The moldy-musty thing, which may be a factor on some of the water rides? But he's been on those *type* of rides before and no problem. Seriously, IIRC, all of Florida kinda smells. :lmao: Not in a bad way, but different. I don't think he's ever been around a fog machine. Hmmm.

The animals, of course, he's only been tested for dog and cat. (does anyone allergy test for elephants?) :confused3 He's okay if it is a ventilated space, and he washes his hands if he touches them. So like, a zoo is fine (which is close enough to AK) but my friend's house which is practically a pet shop, not okay.

I will have his inhaler with me and we're taking the nebulizer although I hadn't planned to have it in the parks, just at the hotel room.

Mold is bad for me too! I think I'm becoming allergic to everything. :sad2: But at least I'm not allergic to horses...I say this because my youngest daughter is allergic to them and her sister wants a pony so bad....:lmao: So when she asks for a pony I say, but your sister is allergic to them...:rolleyes1 I'm such a mean mommy.:guilty:

I havent had any problems with animals that I have noticed yet. I hope it stays that way.

No scented candles or incense around me. It also triggers it.

other thing i thought of is getting yourself a medical allert bracalet. i got one for my autistic son and as his meds change i can go on the web site and change the dosage etc. it also has emergency numbers and if he is allergic to anything. on the bracelet itsself it says Autistic / mostly non verbal call medical allert for more info.. he has run away a few times especialy after the hurricanes and it has been a true life saver for us ;)
lets not talk about laundry or housework.. we have 5 kids !!

That is a great idea. My little card is so beat up with additions and subtractions on the medicines and problems I have. Doing it online would be so much easier to fix! Thank you!

Just in case anyone is trying to figure out what ride that is, it's Ellen's Energy Adventure.
Thank you for the information on this ride. Doesnt' this ride also have a mold type odor?

[mechurchlady]

I repeat the link that I posted before.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23229799#post2322979

It has that funky old world dinosaur smell which some say is moldyness or mustyness. It is not mold but a chemical compound. I cannot say what is in the stuff but it is chemical and not a real cookie, dog or mold. Who knows what is in those machines.

Some are more strong like when piped into the street to get customers to a bakery but most are just a little magic to make the scene more real. Soarin definitely was noticible in DLR but that was part of the advertising for the ride.

Water rides do get a funky smell and can get pretty moldy or musty smelling. If in doubt then contact Disney for more assistance.

[SueM in MN]

Thank you for the information on this ride. Doesnt' this ride also have a mold type odor?
I guess you could call it synthetic swamp smell. That pretty much describes it.

[DizWisher]

We have a battery-powered neb also; it rules.
But if you use oxygen, you can just hook the neb line up to the oxygen and in-line it if you can run O2 at 6 liters or above.
Incense is my worst trigger ever. We were at a funeral (of all places) last fall, and when the incense was lit, I blocked up. My DH ended up bagging me while we went to the lobby and hooked my vent back up.

Miri

[ShellChelle]

For those with mold allergies, I would suggest that you make sure you get a room away from the pool, so you don't have to worry about dampness/mold issues.

[sandisuze]

If you have perfume or scents issues beware of the following:
one place I CAN NOT go into is the Bath shop ( Basin) at DTD. The perfume smells trigger an attack and I scared the heck outa people turning red and gasping for air until I got my inhaler. Even being around the shop gives me wheezes!
also in Norway I had a bad attack as they wouldn't understand that after the ride I couldn't go thru their perfumes shop and they kept saying you have to go thru the shop. I guess I should have insisted but it was crowded and I was stupid just going where they told me . I basically rushed out of the shop but it made me so miserable.
France has a perfume shop too .

I am one of those who scare the perfume counter girls when they want to spritz me by yelling I have asthma don't spray me ! :rotfl:

I have never had issues with that fake swamp smell or what I call POTC smell :)
but everyone with asthma is different as to triggers
those who bathe in perfume people in line/ seats at shows and those who spritz in line cause me all kinds of issues.
We go to Disney a LOT and I have only had a few bad attacks.
Carry your "equipment" and have a blast!!

[alismom]

I have copd w/asthma too, I also have trouble with perfume and cleaners, I let them know this when I booked my room that it needed to be cleaned without strong smelling cleansers. The stuff they spray on carpets takes my breath away, and they were very good about it, my room was clean everyday and did not have that overpowering cleanser smell.

[Eeyore's Tiara]

THese are all great suggestions! Things that I wouldn't have thought about. The room next to the pool? I wouldnt have thought about that.

I do have problems walking into stores that have candles and incense now. I have to turn and leave quickly. So I will try to figure out what to do about the ride in Norway. My daughter likes the "troll" ride. :laughing: I did notice that is was strong in there last year and I did try to get through it quickly, but didnt realize it might be a trigger. I had an awful headache afterwards.

Having COPD/asthma is so new. Things that used to just cause an allergic reaction now trigger a breathing attack. I appreciate all of your help in what I should look for at WDW.

I love the atmosphere at WDW and I know it's enhanced with smells and sounds, I just wish it didnt have to be a pitfall to be watched out for now...:sad1: I LOVE Soarin', I hope I can still do that one too. I'll just make sure I carry my inhaler on all rides with me until I figure out which ones I can and can't do. I will be avoiding Ellen's ride, it was so long and I remember it being really swampy...so better not try it this time.



DIZWISHER WOW!:eek: I can't imagine having that happen at a funeral. I am truly sorry that you had it happen and I am glad that you're husband was there to help you out. I am beginning to realize how serious asthma can be. I have so much going on with my health right now that I had delegated the asthma to the bottom of the mental list in my head of how bad each disease was. Now I'm not so sure. Especially after hearing about simple things triggering it.


alismom The room! I had forgotten about that! My niece went last year and she has asthma and couldnt stay in the room until they used the ionizer equipment on it. I called and they came to the room and they didnt use the deoderizers while we were there. Since I didnt have problems with asthma at that time, I forgot about it. Thank you for reminding me to put a note on our reservation! Thank you!:thumbsup2

[PrincessKsMom]

The biggest trigger for my DD's asthma was Stitch's Great Escape. I thought we were going to have to carry her out it was so bad. Also, A Bugs' Life was powerful too! Be very careful and stay well.