COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
I just returned from a four day vacation in Las Vegas, NV. I consider it one of the greatest educational tools for my disease than any article. I learned to Plan My Vacations with Care.
Las Vegas is not only all about money, it is also, 'All About Walking' and it IS NOT COPD FRIENDLY. I probably walked more in those 4 days than in the whole last year put together. And a lot of those walks were in heat over 100 degress. I can tell you, that in Vegas, if you are on the strip, there is no way around walking a long ways. After you check in you are required to walk through the casino to get to the elevator to your room (several blocks). When you get up the elevator you have to walk down the hall (sometimes more than a block) to get to your room. I was worn out just getting from check in to my room. Actually, I was worn out just there from the airport, that's another story.
To go anywhere you have to repeat the process, this includes dinner, shows. These casinos are all huge some 15 sq city blocks. If you want to go to another casino you will have to walk through your casino, cross the street (several more blocks - some have an escalator for part of the way) and then walk through the casino you are going to. Forget a wheelchair. There are too many people and obsticles to get around. It would be difficult to find a elevator at every place you want to go, a wheelchair or scooter would complicate things even further.
For the first time ever I truly believe I came to terms with being a disabled. I did not see one other person the entire trip puffing on an inhaler (doesn't mean they weren't) and did not see ONE person with oxygen. Up until that trip I couldn't quite believe I was disabled. When we moved from one motel to another I found myself screaming into a phone on the floor we were assigned and saying "I Told You I Was Disabled and Need a Room Close to the Elevator". I was worn out, breathless, gasping for air, practicing everything I ever learned at Rehab (thank God for Rehab). I was glad to get home. Did have a few good meals and saw a great show at the Excalabor. Sorry to say, they didn't get my money.
As far as flying. My pulmonary man said I wouldn't need oxygen. I had my oximeter and used it both ways. Going to Vegas at cruising altitude my oxygen level dropped to about 84. Returning (cruising altitude at 40000) my oxygen dropped to 81/105 (and stayed there). I tested my friend next to me (she is several years older) and her oxygen was 91/78. The little spring chicken next to her was 95/76. I sat next to the window and didn't have to move. I Did NOT Experience Any Breathlessness.
A friend here at DS told me he went years with low oxygen. There are several articles on flying with respiratory disease.
Las Vegas is not only all about money, it is also, 'All About Walking' and it IS NOT COPD FRIENDLY. I probably walked more in those 4 days than in the whole last year put together. And a lot of those walks were in heat over 100 degress. I can tell you, that in Vegas, if you are on the strip, there is no way around walking a long ways. After you check in you are required to walk through the casino to get to the elevator to your room (several blocks). When you get up the elevator you have to walk down the hall (sometimes more than a block) to get to your room. I was worn out just getting from check in to my room. Actually, I was worn out just there from the airport, that's another story.
To go anywhere you have to repeat the process, this includes dinner, shows. These casinos are all huge some 15 sq city blocks. If you want to go to another casino you will have to walk through your casino, cross the street (several more blocks - some have an escalator for part of the way) and then walk through the casino you are going to. Forget a wheelchair. There are too many people and obsticles to get around. It would be difficult to find a elevator at every place you want to go, a wheelchair or scooter would complicate things even further.
For the first time ever I truly believe I came to terms with being a disabled. I did not see one other person the entire trip puffing on an inhaler (doesn't mean they weren't) and did not see ONE person with oxygen. Up until that trip I couldn't quite believe I was disabled. When we moved from one motel to another I found myself screaming into a phone on the floor we were assigned and saying "I Told You I Was Disabled and Need a Room Close to the Elevator". I was worn out, breathless, gasping for air, practicing everything I ever learned at Rehab (thank God for Rehab). I was glad to get home. Did have a few good meals and saw a great show at the Excalabor. Sorry to say, they didn't get my money.
As far as flying. My pulmonary man said I wouldn't need oxygen. I had my oximeter and used it both ways. Going to Vegas at cruising altitude my oxygen level dropped to about 84. Returning (cruising altitude at 40000) my oxygen dropped to 81/105 (and stayed there). I tested my friend next to me (she is several years older) and her oxygen was 91/78. The little spring chicken next to her was 95/76. I sat next to the window and didn't have to move. I Did NOT Experience Any Breathlessness.
A friend here at DS told me he went years with low oxygen. There are several articles on flying with respiratory disease.
You didn't mention whether or not the casinos were smoke-filled. My husband had to go to Vegas a few years back (without me) for a business convention. He mentioned that the casinos were intolerably filled with smoke, and he doesn't have COPD. And since you have to walk through the casinos to get to your room, or anywhere else, there was no avoiding this.
I hope they've cleaned up their act, but it seems like three things, gambling, drinking, and smoking all go together in that town. Let me know if I'm wrong.
Thank you so much for letting us know how flying was for you. It really helps to hear it from someone who's been there, done that, instead of just reading cautions on websites.
Glad you're home safely!
i was told last year about asking for a room on the ground floor and near the rooms you need to frequent. (mine was for a reunion, so i needed to be near the party).
i'm not surprised that the smoke in vegas didnt' bother you. they're known for having some of the best ventilation around! (they want everyone's money! smokers and non smokers)
thanks for sharing your experiences. they help us all.
margaret