Flying and heart (?) problems
 

I've been diagnosed with a PFO, which means I have a small hole between the upper chambers of my heart. It's supposed to be treatable with aspirin therapy, but my main concern is I'm planning on flying from the U.S. East Coast in May to the U.K. and wondered if this is going to be a problem? I've been reading that I should get up and walk around the plane (guess that means no window seat - darn!), but does anyone else on the forum have this condition and have suggestions? I also will be discussing this with my cardiologist, of course, but sometimes you get better advise from people who have "been there, done that." Thanks!

You should only seek medical advice for a licensed practitioner like your cardiologist. How can you even think of comparing comments made by strangers on a website with your own doctor?

I agree.

I see you missed the part where I said I'd be discussing this with my cardiologist.... ;)

I agree ...only listen to your doc.

Getting medical advice from a travel forum could prove deadly.

No, I didn't miss that part. My point is: How can you compare or even consider the advice of complete non-professional strangers with that of your cardiologist? What if the Fodor's posters disagree with your cardiologist?

Well, pardon me, but I guess I thought that in addition to my physician's advice, I also might have someone who has a PFO say that certain things they do (no salt, support hose, whatever) might come in handy for me.

< I also will be discussing this with my cardiologist, of course, but sometimes you get better advise from people who have "been there, done that.>


What do you mean by "better advice"?. Would you take advice from a travel forum member over that of a medical professional that is familar with your medical history? I hope not.

Gee, how silly of us to think that a cardiologist is an expert on heart conditions and just might offer the best advice.

If you want a second opinion or further help why not go to your doctor and ask him if there are any help groups associated with your complaint.

Most posters here will give you an honest answer, but like everyone we occaisonally get things wrong.

You are all missing the point here! I don't know anything about heart problems, but can give a comparable example of flying while pregnant:

I would ask my care provider's opinions on what is safe to do while flying while pregnant, what precautions I need to take, how long a flight is safe, how late can I fly, etc. And I would believe them over anything any stranger on the internet told me, or I would do further research if I doubted the medical professional in any way.

But, my doctor is not as likely to tell me that lemon drops might help any flight-induced nausea since I can't use dramamine, or that I should be sure to take a certain type of pillow because it greatly eases back pain, or to wear loose-fitting shoes because of swelling, etc. But I might post somewhere asking those who have "been there, done that" for their advice on flying while pregnant. It's not medical advice, it's comfort and practicality advice.

Perhaps if everyone would lay off of Twina49, some useful advice could be had that would make his/her flight a more comfortable experience. I'm sure if the advice conflicts with medical advice, that won't be an issue, because Twina49 likely has a brain in his/her head and can evaluate the situation and determine the right choice. ;)

I'm even going to add that since most people are posting anonymously, isn't there a danger of malicious mis-information?

It's one thing if you ask advice on different ways to overcome jet lag, but any kind of a heart condition.....

Thank you jlm_mi! I appreciate it that somebody got the point of my post.

Maybe Twina49 is really asking us for some first-hand reassurance that it is possible to fly safely with this condition.

Wow! Bet twina49 is sorry he/she posted. My take is that the cardiologist comes first and his/her inquiry is simply a few words from someone with the same affliction who has flown abroad. What's the problem?

My husband had an angioplasty years ago. When our nephew suddenly needed the same procedure, my husband went through his experience with him before the procedure was done. When we visited him following his angioplasty he was most grateful to my husband, as much of what he had told him was exactly what he experienced and it lessened the anxiety and scariness considerably.

I'm confident this is the sort of advice twina49 is seeking. Too bad instead it ended up with the responses he/she got.

Sorry, I can't help. Fortunately for me, I have no heart irregularities, so I have no relevant personal experiences to share. But, since it is clear that you are seeking your cardiologist's advice, I don't see anything wrong with your having asked for support and anecdotal info from forum participants who may have a similar condition. Lots of people here do that, sharing experiences and suggestions re dealing with everything from diabetes and food allergies while eating out, to getting around when their ability to walk is impaired, to conquering pathological phobias when flying. So why shouldn't you. When you mentioned the possiblity of getting "better advise," I didn't think you really meant you were seeking better medical advice from strangers on a travel forum. I note that this is what you asked: <<...but does anyone else on the forum have this condition and have suggestions? I also will be discussing this with my cardiologist, of course....>> So I hope your post will get you either help or, second best thing--silence.

Not to sit in judgement of the posters on this board - but the massive amount of mistaken "medical" information floating about is truly shocking.

Many supposedly intelligent people become confused abut their own disease (understanding exactly what it is - what it's called when many diseases/symptoms/syndromes sound alike) and their MD's advice. (A recent exit survey among patients as to the advice just given by their MD showed that more than 1/3 got at least part of what had just been said wrong - sometimes dangerously wrong).

And things that seem innocuous - like grapefruit juice- can in fact be very dangerous under many circumstances.

And how do you know that what they have is exactly the same thing you do? And how do you know if their MD has specific reasons for what he recos for them - due to concomitant disease, specific therapeutic choices etc. - that are different from your case?

This is not like discussing seasickness - and taking any "advice" from anyone - can be dangerous - and is in fact simply ridiculous.

I suffered with debilitating pain in my lower abdomen for about 15 years. My GP ordered a lower GI series. Negative. He sent me to a GE, who ordered a colonoscopy and CT scan. Negative. Nobody could figure out what the problem was.

I postponed an appointment with my barber. She asked what the problem was and I described my odyssey. She said, "I had that. Sounds like you've got kidney stones."

She was right

Oh for God's sake...why are some people dumping on this poster? He didn't ask anyone to perform surgery or adjust his meds.

Twin, I get the the gist of your question and sorry I can't offer suggestions but I would like to share something...

A few years ago I was diagnosed with a thyroid problem. Now my doc is great but not having the affliction himself, his practical advice was lacking. So I consulted (oh the horror!) a web chat room with other sufferers.

People who have been there done that can offer practical tips and suggestions that can greatly improve quality of life.

Hang in there Twina; someone will answer you who shares similar problems. Someone will realize that first and foremost you'll deal with your cardiologist's recommendation.
And that you were just wonderin'...

Thanks to those who understood where my question was coming from. I was truly surprised at some of the posts that came across that I'm some kind of idiot for asking the question in the first place. It reminded me of years ago when women who had mastectomies could be contacted by an organization called "Reach for Recovery," but only if their physicans approved. While the doctor (usually male at that time) could offer his version of the medical aspect, it's not as if he was likely to experience the different symptoms first-hand.

And by the way, all I've seem to have done lately is talk to physicians, so it's not as if I weren't covering all those bases, also! And for the record, I'm a 49-year-old (hence the screen name) woman who happens to feel quite fit!

twina49
Not real sure about this, but in re-reading the posts, I think the difference is between man and woman. It seems to be the men that say, "are you kidding? Just ask your doctor" and the women who say,"Let me support your feelings, I do understand" Could be wrong, that just my take.

Twina49, just make sure you write down any advice you get concerning your medical condition from on-line strangers, and run those tips by your doctor to make sure they are okay for you in your condition.

Also since this is a recent diagnosis, I recommend you spend time reserching your condition...get some books about the heart.

Maybe you aren't sure why you are here on fodors. Maybe you don't know what you're looking to hear but you're concerned about flying and you're looking for reassurance and support. I wish you well.

Twina49,

Sorry your simple question has really gotten blown way up. I am a paramedic. During my career I spent several years as a flight paramedic on both fixed wing (private and commercial carriers) and rotor wing.

I don't believe clots to be your greatest concern. Clots are something all travelers should consider when their legs are in a fixed position for long (hours) periods of time. If your MD is concerned about clots he/she would advise Baby aspirin every day or prescribe a blood thinner, such as coumadin (sorry about the spelling, I said I was a paramedic, not a English major :) )

The concern I see is oxygen. At higher elevations the oxygen molecules are father apart. So if you have a slight leak of un-oxygenated blood from the right ventricle (which sends the blood to the lungs for oxygen) to the left ventricle which has blood full of oxygen you may find yourself light headed.

I don't know if this would happen, but it is the only concern I know of based on your condition. All airlines carry Oxygen bottles for emergency use. You may ask your MD about this. Another possibility is getting your own bottle for the flight. You may want to contact the airline about this to ensure you can bring it on board or if they will supply one.

If you want more information please contact me. I have worked with NWA on their equipment.

areinert, I believe she said her defect was betwwen the upper chambers of her heart.

ummmm, I dont recall a condition of the atruim that has a hole. It is usually the septum (wall between the two sides). The logic would still apply.

Well, I am a medical professional and can assure you that I understand your intentions as to getting information from "people who may have a similar condition.'

Unfortunately, hearing from people with a similar condition is not a substitute for hearing from a professional who is totally familiar with YOUR PARTICULAR condition.

Giving out any sort of "medical advice" can be a violation of local practice act laws and regulations and there's a good reason for that..YOUR ultimate safety and welfare.

Swallow the hurt and the wounded pride and spare yourself from any further grief and possible dangerous misinformation.

And, by the way, are you planning on telling your cardiologist that you asked for this sort of information here????