Well of course I meant plane flights!

I haven't flown since PM, but here are some things I would probably do. Travel light, because I can no longer manage heavy luggage. Take lots of vitamins beforehand, and wash my hands often during travel, to hopefully keep me healthy despite being exposed to germs in close quarters. Make sure I had all necessary meds with me. Wear comfy clothes and appropriate shoes that would keep me stable on my feet. Also, I would probably speak to the airlines beforehand to explain my limitations and ask if they could make suggestions for boarding and exiting the plane.

Hi Freelee, Nanny covered well the things to consider before flying. Keep in mind the weather for your destination. If you do have lung issues then ask a pulmonologist about handling breathing difficulties in colder climates and higher altitudes.

I would rather drive than fly for many health reasons. I get motion sick so I try to avoid public transportation. At least when driving, I have some control to pull off the road and take a break if I do not feel well.

Hi Freelee. I travel around Europe by plane a lot. My longest journey takes four hours. I usually try to book a seat with extra legroom or an aisle seat so that I can get up and around the plane. I buy good travel insurance so medical emergencies are properly covered. I can't see why flying would cause a flare. My Rhrumatologist tells me he can see a flare coming in the blood tests before I know it's happening. He has also advised me to travel with prednidone and if I do have a flare during my time away to take 15mgs daily until I can get back to him. Autumm

I travel quite a bit. I often fly across the US. The biggest thing I've found is I get tired. So I use a wheelchair assist everywhere. It helps me conserve my energy. I always book an aisle seat because it is tight and can be tough to get out of. For me, I can hoist up to the arm rest and then finish from there. Some days are better than others. The bathrooms are small on the plane and can take come manuvuering. It depends how you do getting in and out of a chair. I often carry a suitcase on but I have lightweight ones with 360 wheels so I don't have to fight with it. It actually helps me with balance. I usually look for someone to help me put it in the overhead. Lifting up is the most difficult for me.

Sometimes I have had a tough time getting off the plane. I tend to get stiff and then the jetways are sometimes a pretty steep pitch compared to the plane. You can request someone help you or if you are traveling with someone, ask them to help. My son "walks off" with me to help me over the transition. Sometimes I hang on his backpack so he can help pull me up the jetway while I am walking. But you can request a wheelchair assist on and off the plane. Just make sure you make that request when you make the reservation. When I haven't hadn't wheelchair assist to get off the plane, I've asked a flight attendant to walk off with me. They are happy to help but they cannot lift or carry you. If you need lifted, you must bring your own assistant to help you.

I avoid the germs. Turn the air vent to blow just in front of me (not on me), wipe down the arm rests and tray with Lysol wipes. Use hand sanitizers, I use Zicam to help as a preventative. When I am gone on vacation (more than a day or two), I bring cold medicine, cough drops, and antibiotics just in case I catch something. I've seen people fly with masks on to help. I've not found they help me and I can't breath well with one on.

I see no reason to not fly if you are interested. It just takes some advance notice and planning.

I have not flown, but plan to do so in a few months, to attend a wedding. If you fly Southwest, if you don't plan to buy a 1st class ticket. You can have someone wheel you to the gate in a wheelchair and ask for assistance, that way you will be one of the 1st to board the plane. You want a short flight, or at least one that connects, so that you won't be sitting for over 2 hours at a time. Make sure to have your meds labeled and if you need to carry liguids have them in small bottles no more than 2 ounces each. The main thing is your comfort.