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Im back from hols

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This post has 12 Replies | 3 Followers

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michelle Posted: 08-28-2009 4:18 PM

Hi everyone,

Im back from a very hot algarve, but loved every minute of it. I was even coming off my oxygen and jogging in the pool.(keeping up with pulmonary rehab) well maybe not jogging but a good pace walking. Not glad to be  back cos coughing all ready. Also my face rash was a reaction to the symbicort, i stopped it the day before i went. Put back on seretide and it disappeared.

regards michelle

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Geof the Miner replied on 08-28-2009 4:54 PM

Hi Michelle.

First of all well done for sorting your allergy out before you went away. I was concern because how you discribed the rash and that was the reason I said go and see the medics, because the symptoms you were discribing match what the paperwork was discribing. So thankfully you sorted it before going to Algarve.

Mitchelle it is great to read that you had a brilliant time and that the conditions over there allowed you to put your problems out of sight for your enjoyment. I am not going to ask you a lot of question you may be tired after your journey. What I would say Michelle in reading your post just how good that place made you feel. If I was lucky enough to win the Lottery I would make sure that you had that new life for ever. Well done a post of enjoyment and positivity lots of love to you Michelle. Geof

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michelle replied on 08-28-2009 9:18 PM

Hi June,

Firstly I have been going to the algarve for the past six years or so. I mainly go cos i know it suits my breathing. Because I have lots of allergies, it gives me respite from the inhalant side of things. In fact most meditierrian countries are good for me. Damp and humidity do not suit me either. I have go to say it was 35 degrees in the shade most days. I mainly go to a villa and as long as i do not have to do alot i can cope with the heat. Thats to say i sit in the pool all day. And air conditioning a must. I would say the ideal time probably would be May, June, September or even October. I have to fit in with school holidays thats why i go july or August.

Although my cough has returned i must say walking up to my house from the road today seemed so easy, maybe because i made sure i excercised in the pool everyday. The flight is about three hours. I have had a flight test for my oxygen and i should up it to 2L per min. But if i am sitting then im fine with 1L. I fly with Monarch because they accept me with my oxygen concentrator.

I felt so good this year that i am seriously considering moving over there once my youngest who is 14 is off our hands. I would sooner if he was not in his most important time at school. Also it would still be a gamble health wise.

Hope I have answered your questions June, feel free to ask anything else. I have been to other countries eg

spain, tenerife, Lanzarote all with oxygen and been equally well .

regards michelle

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michelle replied on 08-28-2009 9:21 PM

Oh Geof thats nice of you,

My Mum and Dad want me to move to the coast, because where I live I am right near M25, about 12 miles from Gatwick airport so the air quality is not good. they are convinced this is half my problem. They could be right who knows,

Regards Michelle

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SusieQ replied on 08-28-2009 10:07 PM

Hi Michelle,

Good to see you back and glad you had a good r & r for your lungs.

I feel the same when I go to Greece for the same reasons.  Somehow because it is dry heat, the bronchiectasis is better and then, as you say, you return to this country and wham ...... especially with the weather we are having at the moment. 

Unfortunately because of the COPD cannot leave oxygen off whilst over there, although can do a bit more exercise than I can in this country.  Just a thought, do you test your sats when you on the plane or do you go by how you feel? I am on 3 l/m and come off to go to the loo - my sats drop right down to the very low 70s and that is in the space of time it takes to walk about 5 rows worth.

Like you, I live in one of the worst places in the UK for lung problems - but all my friends, family and support network are here and could I live abroad?  Sounds wonderful and would be good for health, but have you any idea what the Portuguese Health service is like?  Have thought of relocating to Greece, but not too keen on the Greeks and all that heat in the summer would be overpowering.  Medically I would be fine as I go over there to see a Doc anyway, so would just continue to see him.  Good luck if that is what you decide to do - am sure that the rest of the family will be in agreement ....... think of all those holidays!

Welcome back to the rain and grey skies and everything else that happens on Bank Holiday weekends, like motorway traffic jams!

Sue

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Chris replied on 08-29-2009 1:09 PM

Hi Michelle,

Welcome back and glad you had a lovely time Cool

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SusieQ replied on 08-29-2009 1:24 PM

In the interests of fairness, I feel that I have to point out that the BLF did not campaign alone on the airline oxygen policy issue ... they were well supported by the PHA  and, I believe, the Muscular Dystrophy Ass, plus they had the backing of the Equality & Human Rights Commission.  Also not sure whether people are aware of the campaign, what was involved and how long it has been going and what its aims are .......... basically for people who need oxygen to be able to do fly at nil cost - sorry but you will still have to buy a ticket!

 

It all started  back in May, 2009 and the first step was to get an early day motion tabled in parliament, which involved many members of both organisations writing to their MPs asking them to back the edm.  This was successful and the debate took place on 30th June.

 

As a result of that, several airlines dropped their charges and also allowed concentrators on board - in fairness some airlines had already done that (the larger ones like Virgin, British Airways, Emirates);  others are now falling into line but, be aware, that you may not be allowed to take your own oxygen on board most of them and, in my view, that feels right.  What will happen is that you will be supplied with oxygen at no charge, which is fantastic.

The fight continues to bring the other airlines in line.  Problem with foreign carriers is that they are not subject to UK law on discrimination, but it has been pointed out that as they do land on UK soil, maybe we can have some influence.  From what I understand, talks are ongoing with the Minister of Transport, EHRC and also with European bodies, hoping to make it a EU wide ruling, which will give more clout. 

Sue

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SusieQ replied on 08-29-2009 2:33 PM

Without wishing to prolong this insanity, I had read that article.  In fact thevery same information is contained in my post on 19th August, which announced it to this forum.

All I was pointing out is that the BLF did not fight the campaign alone (they do at least have the sense to realise that there is strength in numbers)  - I should know as I have been involved from the beginning and wrote to my MP asking him to support the edm, which I am pleased to say he did.

Plus was giving a  bit of history for those who might have been interested.

 

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SusieQ replied on 08-29-2009 3:07 PM

For those who might be interested, here is a copy of the EDM in question.

Early Day Motion

EDM 1444
  
SUPPLEMENTARY CHARGES FOR OXYGEN BY AIRLINES
06.05.2009


Ainger, Nick

That this House recognises that patients with pulmonary hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, muscular dystrophy and other conditions require supplemental oxygen when travelling by air; is dismayed that the vast majority of airlines operating in the UK currently charge passengers requiring supplemental oxygen on flights; applauds the work of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, the British Lung Foundation and the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign to end the unfair financial impact of what is effectively a tax on the disabled; calls on all airlines flying from or through UK airports to allow passengers requiring in-flight supplemental oxygen to either bring personal oxygen equipment on board and use it, subject to necessary security checks, or to have supplemental oxygen provided for them by the airline, in both cases without charge; welcomes the recent decision by British Airways, Emirates and Cathay Pacific to drop all charges; notes that as of 1 May 2009 airlines in the United States of America will have to allow passengers requiring supplemental oxygen to be able to use their own portable oxygen concentrator free of charge; and urges all airlines operating in the UK to follow suit.

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michelle replied on 08-30-2009 9:32 AM

HI all,

It was a chorlinated pool, I too cant swim in the baths over here because of the humidity but am ok in the fresh air.

I have not researched the medical issues in Portugal as yet, because unfortunately it will only be a dream until kids are off our hands. Maybe five years or so, or less if we are lucky.

Regards Michelle

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Lorraine-May61 replied on 11-17-2011 4:55 PM

hi michelle

you really seemed to have enjoyed you holliday good for you ' i am new to all of this using a iap top ane making lots of mistakes so please forgive me i have c o p d  my nane is lorraine my age 61 i would like to make frilends wlith people with the same complaint and just be able to chat

regards lorraine.

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graham2 replied on 12-04-2011 10:44 PM

Hi i travelled to mexico this year in june, ihave severe copd and was told i would need oxygen, i have to tell you folks travel Thomson holidays, i had oxygen both ways, there and back total 19 hours flying, and providing you book correctly, there is no charge, and you have a dedicated hosttes to look after you, she keeps checking back.

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