Pneumothorax: To fly or not to fly?

[lilywing]

I am in hospital now with an exacerbation as well as a "small" pneumothorax. Over the last 9 days of this admission, the pneumothorax seems to be resolving! Without the aid of chest tubes!!
In 13 days, I am scheduled to fly from Calgary to Colorado to attend a medical conference. Can I/should I go?
I have not had a pneumothorax before (as far as I know), so any info/advice would be appreciated.
THanks

 

[lilro]

I've had pneumo's a few times, and I don't think traveling would be bad, especially to a medical conference. If something goes wrong I'm sure there'd be someone around to help. One thing I'm not sure about though is the cabin pressure and high altitude in a plane. I have no idea if that could be problematic after a recently resolved pneumo.

 

[jbrandyn]

Such a short flight should not have any pressure problems, a sudden drop is what you want to worry about and cabin pressure is very well controlled, if in doubt get a prescription to have a supplemental O2 with you for the trip. Being in Colorado is another issue entirely. It's just plain harder to breathe in Denver and Colorado Springs (one of which I am assuming you are going to) because of the high altitude w/o the benefit of cabin pressurization. Perhaps a supplemental o2 prescription for the trip would be good in general just because of where you are going... Plus you get to pass all the lines in the airport and for boarding <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">
I have taken them with me on flights and even hiking in the North Cascades, they make them very portable and you only have to use it when you need it.

The other consideration is the wildfires, they make the CF act up like none other, but if you are indoors most of the time it really doesn't make any more of a difference than allergies do. (This insight brought to you by living in Eastern Washington during a couple summers)

Hope you can go and have a great trip!

 

[mamerth]

One thing u should know is the air quality here right now is pretty bad in Colorado. I live north of Denver and we r under air quality alerts. I hear Colorado springs isn't much better likely worse due to the smoke. Just an FYI. Hope u enjoy your conference/meetings.

 

[lilywing]

Thank you for all your input! I have canceled my trip. One contraindication of any pneumothorax is flying, and the recommendation is to wait for 6 weeks after a pneumothorax has completely resolved. It sucks!! If I was travelling within Canada, I might have considered it more, but I can't take the risk of worsening my condition and getting stuck in a hospital so far from home. With the air conditions as they are, maybe it just wasn't meant to be.

To all the people of Colorado, you are in my prayers xo