I too use a vent at night because of PPS. I had difficulty last year with a
flight that was about 4 hours long - shortness of breath and VERY nervous.
That was when I was not yet using the vent. I took a flight this past July
and had no problem whatsoever - it was about 2 hours long and I didn't use
the vent at all. My doc said that I hsould have oxygen available on short
flights - just in case. But on longer flights, it would be detrimental
because I have a high CO2 level. Also, on the last flight I took a Xanax
before the flight and I think that my being calm had alot to do with it. I
also made sure that I was breathing deeply - inhaling thru my nose and
exhaling thru my mouth. Hope this is some help and good luck to you.
Marilyn Marilyn(AT)cybernex.net
At 10:38 AM 11/13/96 -0500, you wrote:
> I have breathing problems from PPS characterized by shortness of breath and
>inability to sleep at night without use of a ventilator. I'm contemplating
>my first airplane flight in years and am wondering what the effect of reduced
>cabin pressure might be. My understanding is that cabin pressure may be
>something like that at 3000-5000 feet altitude.
> My reason for concern relates to an experience in 1988, when my breathing
>was better than it is now. I was attempting to drive through Rocky Mountain
>National Park in Colorado. At 7000 feet I got really short of breath, knew I
>wouldn't make it at 11,000 feet, so turned around and went 500 miles out of
>my way to avoid this mountain pass.
> So now I am wondering what flying might be like. Does anyone with
>breathing/ventilator experience have comments to offer? I could, of course
>use the vent on the plane if the internal batteries last, but wonder if that
>will be necessary.
>
>Thanks
> DickT
>
>