Anyone with asthma?

[Cameo]

Has the humidity or salt air bothered your asthma. We travel to WDW frequently and sometimes the humidity bothers me. I'm worried that the sea air might add to be breathing problems. Anyone have experience with this?

 

[ciadriamom]

I have asthma and the sea air didn't bother me. I even had my nebulizer with me and my several inhalers, but only time I used them was after a spa treatment in the scented sauna rooms.

 

[kellib36]

We just got back from a 4 day cruise in May, and in addition to having asthma, I was getting over a sinus infection. In the past, I haven't had too much trouble, but this time, I made sure I had one of those waterproof lanyard things. I've found that the wider size is great for carrying my cards and an inhaler.

I've found that as a general rule, if you're managing your asthma, travel isn't as big a deal as if you're struggling with asthma. Not to try to treat anyone on here, but a couple years ago I gave up and talked to my doctor about getting something other than just my rescue inhaler. He prescribed Pulmicort, which is a inhaled steroid. I immediately went from using my rescue inhaler 15-20 times a week to almost never. I think I used my rescue inhaler twice in the first 3 months I used Pulmicort. This was really something for me, as I would use my rescue inhaler whenever I did anything strenuous.

When we were in St Thomas in Jan, we even went "snuba"ing, something I never would have tried if my asthma wasn't 100% under control.

Again, my advice is to get your asthma under control, and the trip should be smooooooth sailing!! ;-)

 

[judynpa]

I traveled on the western Disney Magic last August and was very concerned about the heat and humidity bothering my asthma. I had no problem at all. When you are sailing, there is usually a breeze blowing. Even the day we were in Key West was very, very hot and I was fine. I minded the heat like everyone else, but the humidity was not bad at all, and that is also what bothers me.

 

[CindyBeth]

I too have asthma and had no trouble on both of the cruises I did!

 

[natdencro]

The air conditioning is the worst culprit for aggravating sons' asthma, but in that heat of the caribbean you cant do without it on! We turned it off at night. Nat

 

[FLGalInTN]

I think kellib36 is right - having your asthma well managed before travel is key. My son is asthmatic and so many things (pollen, mold, exercise, cold, illness) used to set off a major attack. Now he is on Singulair and Advair and life is good. He plays soccer, basketball, and swims and hasn't used his rescue inhaler in nearly 2 years. But, of course, we always have it with us.

Cameo - Mold is usually the biggest irritant in a hot, humid environment. Are you allergic to it?

 

[huckster]

Hi, i have very bad asthma , i use singular , advair and combivent and albutral. when we cruised i had no trouble except when my when we floated out at castaway in tubes and dh cant swim so i hopped off the tube and swam us both in that is the only time but it was far out and i am not in the best of shape .dr gave me a dose of prednezone just incase never used it.

 

[plutojudy]

I had no problems with my asthma on five Disney Cruises. Of course I used my inhalers same as home and I take Singulair. I always feel better in the sea air.

 

[Cameo]

Thanks for all your answers!

Certain moldy-smelling things or dirty-smelling things do bother my asthma. I am on Azmacort inhaled-steroid and I seem to be pretty well under control, but something things make me act up.

Actually, now I'm wondering more about my DS-4. He has mild asthma which only acts up when he is getting a cold, but the comment about air conditioning rang a bell with him also. Now he is only on albuterol or a nebulizer. I'm not crazy about taking the nebulizer along if he is not having a problem when we leave. Do you suppose the ship's doctor will have that kind of thing available in an emergency? We aren't planning to sail for another year, so I may ask his doctor if he would be better off on a daily dose of something before we go.

 

[spotdog]

The only problem I had with my asthma was when I would come from the hot humid air outside into the air conditioning. Since there was no way to do this slowly, in order to acclimate, I just kept my inhaler nearby in case my wheezing didn't settle down on it's own.

I loved the idea about using the larger "water safe" for my inhaler. I'll do that next trip.

 

[Disneyfan37]

I have asthma,and the humidity here in FL affects me a lot.Both times we have cruised with DCL,I have been fine.The sea air helps me a lot,but as soon as we hit home bound FL again not 24 hours it is bothering me again. I take both my inhalers with me,but not once have I needed to use them.

Maria

 

[myfairygodmother]

On my last cruise I had the opportunity to talk with the ship's Dr about their equipment and facilities. They do have the neccessary medication/equipment to treat an acute asthma exacerbation. That being said, I definately echo the above comments--try your best to have your asthma well managed and bring your meds even if you think you won't need them!

Just a reminder for everyone who doesn't use their rescue inhalers(Albuterol/Ventolin/Proventil/Combivent) on a regular basis---Check your expiration dates!! Be sure that the dates are still good and check to see how full your MDI is BEFORE leaving for vacation.

Shaking the canister is not an effective means of determining what is left--there will still be propellant when all medicine is gone. The best way to determine how much is in the MDI is to drop the cannister only in a pot of water. If it sinks all the way to the bottom, it is full. If it floats on top, it is empty. If it just hangs out in the middle, it's about half full.

 

[carol9999]

does disney give any priority on line for children that have asthma, like they do for some disabilities?

 

[DutchsMommy]

I second the Advair suggest - or any coticosteroid (sp?). I made a HUGE difference in my asthma and the frequency I use my ventolin....from everyday, several times a day to maybe once a month if that....it is an unbelievable difference.

 

[ciadriamom]

Originally posted by Cameo
Thanks for all your answers!

Certain moldy-smelling things or dirty-smelling things do bother my asthma. I am on Azmacort inhaled-steroid and I seem to be pretty well under control, but something things make me act up.

Actually, now I'm wondering more about my DS-4. He has mild asthma which only acts up when he is getting a cold, but the comment about air conditioning rang a bell with him also. Now he is only on albuterol or a nebulizer. I'm not crazy about taking the nebulizer along if he is not having a problem when we leave. Do you suppose the ship's doctor will have that kind of thing available in an emergency? We aren't planning to sail for another year, so I may ask his doctor if he would be better off on a daily dose of something before we go.

Cameo: check with your health care provider about a travel size nebulizer. The one I have is about the size of a small video camera.

 

[Cameo]

Travel-size nebulizer - now that sounds great! I will definitely check on this as we aren't cruising until next June. Thanks!

 

[sweetpea3470]

I 2nd the travel size nebulizer. I got one right before our June cruise. I just knew my son would need it if I didn't have it.
I know the ship's Dr. has all the equipment...however, don't forget there is a BIG CHARGE for going to the ship Dr.
From what I've heard its around $250.00
Soooo I felt it was worth bringing my own!!!!

 

[sandygirl]

Originally posted by myfairygodmother
On my last cruise I had the opportunity to talk with the ship's Dr about their equipment and facilities. They do have the neccessary medication/equipment to treat an acute asthma exacerbation. That being said, I definately echo the above comments--try your best to have your asthma well managed and bring your meds even if you think you won't need them!

Just a reminder for everyone who doesn't use their rescue inhalers(Albuterol/Ventolin/Proventil/Combivent) on a regular basis---Check your expiration dates!! Be sure that the dates are still good and check to see how full your MDI is BEFORE leaving for vacation.

Shaking the canister is not an effective means of determining what is left--there will still be propellant when all medicine is gone. The best way to determine how much is in the MDI is to drop the cannister only in a pot of water. If it sinks all the way to the bottom, it is full. If it floats on top, it is empty. If it just hangs out in the middle, it's about half full.

I never heard of this method of finding out what is left in an inhaler. My DD was just prescribed an inhaler (been on singulair and liquid albuterol for a few years) so I found this interesting. Can't tell you how unsure I am with the inhaler. She had a problem during soccer practice last week and we were both frustrated trying to use the inhaler properly. This week I made her use it BEFORE practice so we were a little more successful. She hasn't had a problem on any of our cruises but we carry all her meds just in cse and we have a portable nebulizer. Being under control is the key, I think.

 

[Cameo]

Those of you with the portable nebulizer - did your insurance cover it? Did you doctor have to perscribe it? About how much does it cost?