help! what if DS needs his nebulizer while flying on SW?

[shinysparklybubbles]

DS (19 months) was just diagnosed with bad asthma because of his age a nebulizer is our only source of relief/treatment for him. I forgot to ask the dr on Friday if DS is able to fly or not (I'm calling Monday) but was wondering if anyone here knows is it possible to use a nebulizer in flight? If not I guess we will be seeking another way to get there (and trying to get travel insurance to cover my $811 worth of airline tickets!).

 

[newdrama12]

Here is a thread from the DIS boards where someone else had that same question: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1068781

 

[dclfun]

I don't think you'll have any challenges in bringing it onboard but you want to be sure you have a power source. I travel with a ventilator and as I have to use it during the flight, I have to get pre-approval to travel with and use it onboard the aircraft. Any of this type of equipment that is non-oxygen related *may* require prior approval. You can contact UPMC 1-877-633-3358 to find out if you need pre-approval. I am flying next week and they looked up the brand/model number of my equipment, told me it is approved and asked that I fax over my Dr's. form saying that he feels I am safe to fly with my vent along with the record locators for my flights and they'll fax me back the approval letter. This may not be necessary for a nebulizer. You may want to check with your vendor or just call UPMC to find out- the rep there was very helpful/efficient and I think you'll get an answer there.---Kathy

 

[disfan07]

I would call SW. They have outlets on the plane but they are not really used by the passengers but I believe that in an emergency they can be used.

Also, I see by your signature that you have a couple of months. Is that correct? I would suggest getting a portable nebullizer. It works on batteries so you will not be dependent onan outlet to use it. If your trip is really 2 months away, I personally wouldnt base anything that is happening right now on what you can do it 2 months. The situation could be totally different. Most likely, you will be able to use it on the flight if needed.

If you are not yet, I would suggest seeing a pediatric pulmonologist because they will be able to give you the best advice and teh best treatment. Are they trying any maintenacne meds to control it? If they try any maintenance treatment, it very well might be under control in 2 months.

Does he just take the neb as needed or does he take it on a regular basis? If you are concerned about him possibly needing it, I would talk to his doctor about whether it would be okay to do a preventative treatment before the flight. A dose should last at least 4 hours so you should be okay.

I have severe asthma (multiple hospitalizations a year plus steroid dependent adn low O2 levels) and I fly all the time. I have never had to use my neb on a flight. I do a preventative treatment at the airport about 30 minutes before boarding and I have never had a problem. (but i do a preventative treatment because I have sevre allergies as well so the neb treatment helps with any possible allergy problems).

HTH. Good luck!

 

[daneenm]

Have you asked your Dr. about and inhaler with a chamber? DS started using a nebulizer for illness induced asthma at 14 months. At the time, we were sent home with both a nebulizer and an inhaler with a chamber. The neb is the usual treatment, but if we were somewhere it was not possible to use the neb the other worked until we could use it. The chamber can have a mask (goes over the nose and mouth) on the end for little ones. We found it very helpful on several occasions.

 

[antree]

My son used the chamber too when he was 18mos old. I has shocked how he would just sit there holding on to it and breathing, it was like he knew it was helping him. I would differently ask about it and give it a chance, you might be surprised with your little one.
Up to this year I never even thought about taking it with me April was the first time we took it, but we drove. In Nov. we are flying and I will pack it in the luggage. Thankfully we haven't need it while we were in Disney.
Good luck!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

. In Nov. we are flying and I will pack it in the luggage.

Please do not put any medical supplies or equipment in checked luggage. Keep it in carry-on only. The airlines are not allowed to deny any carry-on with medical supplies and equipment, and cannot charge additional fees.

Recently I was stopped when boarding with a backpack, a computer case, and a tote bag.

The bag had the basket from my ECV with the ECV charger in it. The backpack had a CPAP machine and all my medications and testing stuff, and the computer case had my computer, reading materials, and junque. As soon as they were aware that two of the three bags were medical only I had no problem.

 

[antree]

Please do not put any medical supplies or equipment in checked luggage. Keep it in carry-on only. The airlines are not allowed to deny any carry-on with medical supplies and equipment, and cannot charge additional fees.

Recently I was stopped when boarding with a backpack, a computer case, and a tote bag.

The bag had the basket from my ECV with the ECV charger in it. The backpack had a CPAP machine and all my medications and testing stuff, and the computer case had my computer, reading materials, and junque. As soon as they were aware that two of the three bags were medical only I had no problem.

Thanks for the info. Since I never flew with it I wasn't sure if I could. I have flew with the epi-pen but wasn't sure about the machine. I will carry it on.

Thank you.

 

[PrincessAndrea'sMom]

My daughter has a trach. We have taken a suction machine on board with Southwest with no problems. On one flight home, the flight attendant asked us about it, made a call before take off and they said all was fine. I second the suggestion about the inhaler and chamber. My dauther used to have a neb machine, but we have switched to the inhaler and spacer. It is so much easier and faster.

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

Thanks for everyones input!! The whole situation is new to us and then to add traveling on top of it, I am a bit overwhelmed!