Flying - 8 years later...
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hey folks, 8 years ago I went on a weeks holiday to Tenerife and one week after returning home my left lung collasped. It was the most trumatic experience I have ever encountered and spent 1 week in hospital with a test drain before the lung re-inflated. I am tall and thin and was a smoker when this happened. I no longer smoke.
I have since taken small domestic flights 1 hour at the most, first time away it was slightly sore. In the past 8 years other than colds and chest infections I have been fine. However these events have left me with severe aniexty due to the nature of the collaspe.
Tommorrow I am flying to Tenerife for 1 week and as the past few days I am extremely anxious and nervous that this could happen again but more so the flight. I think its the long flight 4 hrs 30 mins.
Can anyone help by their experiences with this and hopefully I am stressing over nothing.
Thanks 
0 likes, 9 replies
XDKTC Daphk
Posted
I highly recommend getting your doctor's approval before flying.
You are like myself tall skinny build Ive had the pleasure though of 3 collapses since oct 2015 till now. The higher altitudes at longer flights can cause blebs on ur lungs to leak. Better to be precautious with askin doc I was scared enough after first major collapse , the 2nd one was even worse but at least i knew the process.
Bogdan XDKTC
Posted
All this would be for is his/her own personal comfort.
You cannot put your life on hold for something like this.
To my knowledge flying isn't risky, as Michelle says bellow pressurised cabins have gone a long way.
MissMichelle Daphk
Posted
Hey.
You will be fine. If it has been 8yrs since your collapse and you have flown since, it will be ok. You need to get the confidence back in your body.
I had a collapse 2 yrs ago and had to have surgery, the most horrendous thing I have been through. I was able to fly 4 months after and have flown well over 10 times since including long haul.
Fully understand your anxiety, completely normal. Your lung didn't collapse because of a flight, it collapsed probably because you are tall, thin and was a smoker. Have faith and stay strong. You have to continue as normal.
Enjoy your holiday.
MissMichelle
Posted
Oh and remember, it's a pressurised cabin, regardless of altitude.
jenny04128 Daphk
Posted
best wishes
jemma
jenny04128
Posted
Oh also my doctor requested 2 days before that I had an xray.....I ended up having a microcollapse at the time and was told not to fly but I did anyway : / .....I ended up being fine but not recommended not at all. If you can't get zanax take 2 benadryl and have a glass of champagne or wine, I know it sounds lush but it does the trick for my anxiety and keeps the flight stress free for me.....I have had continuous collapses about every 3-4 months since 2009, I have had VATS on my right lung even, and still get them on that side! When I travel I also buy travel insurance, its pretty cheep considerring, like $ 80 so that if I have issues while Im traveling my medical expenses are covered ; )
Bogdan jenny04128
Posted
Jenny, I actually don't think that sounds crazy at all. All of my collapses happened during times of stress, so I am almost certain that it weakens the body and facilitates the collapses (from popped air pockets in my case).
On topic, I have flown twice a month (4h flights) for 18 monthd after left lung VATS only to have my right lung collapse 4-5 later.
Just make sure your health care is covered wherever you go but don't over think this.
Bogdan
Posted
No edit button for some reason.
For clarity, the right lung collapse happened 4-5 months after I've stopped flying but was consistent with the 22 months recurrence rate for bilateral pneumothorax.
Southerngal Daphk
Posted
Had my surgery on both lungs 30+ years ago. Have flown commercial many times over the years with no problems. However, I cannot fly private jet (for work) as they go higher and aren't as well pressurized for folks like "us". Had bad experience and could feel the pain start and worsen during takeoff. Had to cover up for it as we were entertaining really important clients. If you have concerns, check with airline to see what altitudes the various types of crafts fly and try to select your flights by the type of aircraft.