International Travel

[anonymous]

Hello all. I am a 27 y.o. female with CF. I am planning on doing some international traveling and I was wondering if anyone else had any tips to offer. I know that I will have to get an electrical adaptor for my neb and I'll do ok without my vest for that period of time. I am not planning on going any where that I'd need to have vaccines (sp) before entering/exiting countries. (wanting to go to Ireland, Scotland, Europe, Germany)
I was just wondering how others have dealt with this and any concerns, regrets, ideas they have regarding this.
Thanks so much!
Kelli

 

[Emily65Roses]

I went to Barcelona when I was 18. I had no major problems, omitting one. We bought an adapter for my neb before we went over there. We got there and I attempted to use it, and it didn't have the right voltage or something. It was a European plug, but the voltages didn't match up, and the adaptor did NOT work at all. Luckily my dad and I were staying with my dad's friend Juan, so we turned to him for help. Haha. He located a medical supply place, and translated for us when we got there (he's fluent in both English and Spanish). And oddly enough, the nebs they had were very cheap. Juan bought us one for roughly $35 USD that I used for the week and a half we were there. It worked perfectly well. So that was the only problem I had.

Otherwise the only thing I might mention is that generally in Europe, there are more public places where people are allowed to smoke. But it's not too big a deal. Just try to avoid it. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> Oh oh! And have fun!! <img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0">

 

[anonymous]

you don't only need an adapter but a converter, to change 220 to 110. We recently went to Italty with adapters and no converter because the travel agency said the bathrooms had 110. Long story short it didn't work, I didn't feel well, and I lost my cool with the hotel staff. I actually have a 220 nebulizer that I bought in Italy(40 euro) that I wouldn't mind to loan you. I will just UPS to you and you can send it back. If you are interested E mail me. With it you would only need country specific adapters, no converter.

Of course be sure to take your meds carry on and have them labeled. I was never stopped or searched but they say that is a big thing.
LukeMBARRT@yahoo.com


Luke

 

[shamrock]

I'm from Ireland and was in ny at christmas. We had to bring with us a transformer because the voltage is different in the US then it is in europe. When you operate machinery like a nebuliser in a place with different voltage, without a transformer it could blow up!!
The one we had was quite heavy and about the size of a shoebox. We rented it. You will need one. When are you travellling?<img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0">

 

[anonymous]

Hi I'm from Ireland and when I went to America for the first time I had no clue about the voltage difference but went to radio shack and bought a voltage converter, definitely buy it there before you travel it' much smaller and lighter than the ones available here. Other than that mainland Europe uses different plugs than we do here and in scotland but it's easy to pick up the adaptors at the airport. Also one thing I will say is bring spare mouth pieces in case you loose one - I left my tobi mouthpiece in a hotel room in costa rica and hadn't brought a spare luckily our next stop was florida and after a bit of internet research I was able to buy one in Orlando, I hate to think of the hassle it would have been if it had have happened the other way around and I had to try to get a mouthpiece in Costa Rica! I have travelled in south east asia as well and found that the biggest hassle with my cf was carrying all the meds so I compacted them as much as possible removing packaging etc. also if your coming and going from the same place you can leave a bag in the hotel and only carry what you need like if your going to travel around Ireland odds are you'll keep coming back to Dublin so you could leave some meds in a bag in your hotel. Also good news - smoking is banned here in all bars, clubs, restaurants and so on and it makes such a big difference the ban came in last march, Scotland and Spain are talking about doing this also but haven't done it so far but fingers crossed. Hope you have a great trip!

Ruth 27cf/cepacia

 

[anonymous]

One good idea for travel whether it's national OR international is to have your doc write a short letter stating that you have CF and that you NEED to carry loads of medical equipment and medications on you....in case there's any problem and the airport people give you trouble. I have a port and and an insulin pump, which i guess can look suspicious, so this note for me is especially important.

I'm going to the Dominican Republic this spring so I plan on having that note translated into spanish to make it easier for everybody. Also, my doctor told me only to drink bottled water and beverages from cans, bottles, etc. Depending on where you're going, this may or may not apply.

One more thing. I went to Italy and bought the proper voltage converter, but my nebulizer still managed to cause problems. One minute I was going TOBI and before I knew it, smoke was coming out of my compressor!!! Hopefully this doesn't happen to you!

 

[anonymous]

Well, first all of thank you for the advice, it's very helpful. And thank you for the kind offer of your neb, Luke. I am planning on going to the Bahamas in about 2 weeks. Then I'd like to do a trip to Ireland/Scotland in around April or May. One of my friends went in early April, last year and she said the weather was wonderful, it only rained one day, and it was the most beautiful place she had EVER been. One problem I've had is finding reasonable air fare, etc. Everything I see is over $2000. just for the flight. Do any of you have any ideas of cheaper filghts, or where I should look. I checked shamrock.com, and irelandtourism.com. and still can't find anything. Let me know if you have a better idea than what I've come accross.
Thanks for everything.
Kelli

 

[anonymous]

Kelli,
Go on the the aerlingus.com website! They are usually cheaper than actually going through an agency...let me know how u do!

~Dee

 

[anonymous]

Well, I now have plans to leave for the Dominican Republic on Mon. I will call my hospital tomorrow and get a letter stating that I'll have carry-on nebs, meds, and inhailers. I also have a Medi-port in my chest so I'd better include that with the documentation from the drs.
I will not drink the water (I made that mistake in Mexico). But I am very careful and aware now of germs, illness, etc. that my be in their water.
Thanks for all of the advice and help. I truly appreciate it! I will try to check tomorrow to see if I can get a battery for my neb...just incase!
And Dee, I will check the e-mail address you provided. Thanks so much.
kelli

 

[Beowulf]

I lived in France for a little over a year and I did have some difficuties with my adaptor/nebulizer. Some nebs have electicity demads which cycle in a special way. In Europe this cycle is different and usually a converter can resolve the problem. Though in my case, using an adaptor, my neb gave out after a month, though I had warn the nebulizer machine in pretty well before my travels. I knew something was wrong when my neb put out these power surging or wobling noises. At first i thought it was weird, but then after some time my Pulmo-Aide and my power adaptor device both busted. The motor of the neb couldn't handle the taxing surges. I ended up renting a neb from a local medical supply store. If your neb machine is newer, or not warn in, you should be ok. But if it is older, possibly weaker, it could give out. I have no idea how a Pari Trek or other nebulizers might perform. Lastly, I would call the manufacturer of your machine and see if there is something you could do to assure its performance during your travels.

 

[Liza]

Hi Kelli, We lived in Germany for three and a half years. Many of the Pari Compressors are dual voltage, I'm not sure about other brands. You might want to check out your compressor if you haven't already. It should say on it. IF it is dual voltage it will say 110/220 then all you need is an adapter. If it is not then you need a converter as well. Most all of europe has the same plug, it changes when you go to the UK. To giant sized one. Be sure to carry at least two adapters for the plugs just in case you lose or forget one someplace. We left my daughters at home when we went to Istanbul. It accidentally got left in the wall. We could not find one anywhere, nor could the hotel staff. Luckily she did well without it. We had enough juice (rechargable Duraneb 2000 at the time) to just do Pulmozyme and used the inhaler instead of an albuterol neb. I am a fan of Pari products. My younger daughter has one of the new Pari Treks, also a rechargeable, and its very small. The bag is the size of a small camera case. If you plan on traveling alot internationally or even domestically, you should look into it if you're not familiar with it. I paid $219., the bag, the machine, the battery pak and a car adapter. No insurance coverage for that one because she's also got a regular Pari Turbo that they bought just two years earlier. My other daughter has a Duraneb 3000, also rechargeable, but larger and heavier. Anyhow, off the subject sorry. Hope you have a great trip.

Liza

 

[ClashPunk82]

I have never been anywhere at all. I was always too sick to travel anywhere and my brother has CF too so we could never coordinate trips. And at this poiint I am being evaluated for a transplant so I am not able to travel. I hope after my transplant I will be able to see some of the world! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

Nicole 22 CF

 

[Starfall99]

I've been to Israel twice, and managed to blow up my neb each time (once quite dramatically, smoke pouring out and everything), even with the converters. I ended up just buying a neb there, and would plan to do so again for any further international traveling, because it just isn't worth the hassle of suddenly finding myself neb-less and having to scramble to find one.

 

[anonymous]

Hi Kelli
Hope you enjoy your trip.
Im from Ireland and as far as I can remember, Ireland and England use a different plug systems from the rest of Europe also. So you might need to get adaptors for Ireland and adaptors for Europe. Im not 100% sure but I think this is the case. The voltages may be the same but the plugs are different.
David

 

[anonymous]

Well Hello All again!
I am going to the Dominican Republic this Monday (as I said in an earlier post.) Do any of you know if the voltage/ wattage is different there than here. I have the Pari Trek and love it. I was just wondering if I'd need an adaptor/converter. I am unsure and I'll just have to find out I get there.
For all of you from Ireland/Scotland (Shamrock, Ruth, Dee) can you give me any adivce on traveling there. I checked out the aerlingus.com site, WOW much better air fare. Can you tell me where you'd suggest I go, do and see? I love the history (castles,etc) but what else is the main attraction? That is where my ancestors came from so I'd love to see where they lived, etc. but I'd like to plan a well-rounded trip so I don't miss out on anything great or regret not doing my 'homework' before going. I'd really appreciate your opinions.
Thanks,
Kelli

 

[anonymous]

Prior to my TX with CF I have gone into Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Ecuador several times, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Bonaire, Aruba, many times into Mexico, Guatamala, Honduras, quite a bit of Europe, Oz and NZ. If you need a nebulizer get a portable Paraneb with a battery and a twelve volt adapter and plug in when in any car worldwide. I have kayaked in the jungles of Costa Rica in the early 1980's and taken my nebulizer on 20 days kayaking the Grand Canyon with Tobi and pulmozyme. Europe would be zero issues with good care in most countries. (Altitudes over 14,000 feet were an issue). Watch the potential for TB near Eastern Europe.

The only limits to CF's traveling is your mind (provided you are not on oxygen). Go, have fun and enjoy.

CF 54 TX cepacia

 

[anonymous]

Wow you're amazing and inspiring! I am 27 and I want to do all the traveling I can do before I am unable to do it enjoyably. I am not on O2 so it makes things that much easier. I do have a car adapter for my neb, so it all else fails....
Thanks so much!
-Kelli

 

[anonymous]

Kelli

Good idea, travel while the health permits. You will never be sad that you traveled when you were able.

My neb. has a battery and will run for days without charging (not plugged into power). Charged by a car or a solar charger will keep it running for another 2-3 days.

CF 54 TX cepacia