I'll be flying from Cali to NC in June...Not sure how that works with O2. I looked online and the airlines "rent" oxygen containers but they only give out 6L...Will they let me fly with a full tank/s? Is each airline different? I can't find any info online (of course I suck at searching)...
Thanks for the info!!

Megan,

Trying to get a decent oxygen therapy system with a flow rate of at least 15 liters/minute on a commercial airliner is a pain in the wazu...  and not really worth the cost or the effort.  They know nothing about CH and assume oxygen is for folks with COPD or heart problems so they never have high enough flow rates.

See your Unit Quack for an Rx for imitrex and take along some imitrex nasal spray applicators (one for each flight/leg) in case you do get hit while airborne...  and then take a 25 mg. imitrex tablet 30 minutes prior to each flight.  Imitrex is an abortive but the tablets have a half-life of 2 hours and 25 mg should give you therapeutic levels for at least the duration of the XC flights.

If you do get hit while airborne shoot the nasal spray ASAP at the first indication then ask the flight attendant for an ice bag and a couple glasses of ice... one with water.

The important thing to do is to arrange for oxygen cylinders to be delivered at your destination.  I've used Oxytravel on trips to Europe and Apria Healthcare covers all the states.  As long as you email them a pdf copy of your Rx for oxygen therapy everything else is a snap.

I generally make sure they deliver the aluminum M60s as they are light enough to carry around and they hold enough oxygen for 10 to 15 aborts...  If you're going to be in the NC area for a week or more, order the aluminum M.  They're larger and should be good for 20 aborts so order accordingly.  Both services have reasonable prices for the oxygen cylinders but the cost doubles if they deliver the cylinders with a regulator...  BYO regulator is the only way to fly...

Both of these oxygen cylinders have the CGA-540 fitting so make sure you bring your regulator and O2PTIMASK™ kit in your carry-on luggage in a zip-lock bag....  The TSA mafia may want to see them going through security so I always tell them I have an oxygen regulator in the bag before I send it through the X-Ray machine.  They may or may not ask to see it.

Take care and have a great trip.

Semper Fi

V/R, Batch

I noted in another post that you have trouble with Imitrex, so I would suggest you take along a couple of 5hr Energy shots as backup in case you get hit on the plane.  I carry one in my pocket at all times for times I get hit out away from home.

Jerry

I'm still figuring out the boards so if I reply to the wrong post...oops! I'm already having issues with the O2 company on THIS side of the coast....UGH! Tricare gets to hear from me on Tuesday as they have started charging me for the tanks. Sorry that Tricare only pays you $2.30 for your $25.00 tank. (Smack my head against the damn wall!!!!!) AND they keep trying to get me to get the dang O2 machine!!!! GRRR!!
OK I will call Apria and see if they take Tricare, get the Rx taken care of at next appt and try the 5 hour thing BEFORE i need it! In case I didn't say-I HATE TO FLY and will be drugged. Klonopin. And will have my 3 kids with me. I told my 12 year old she's in charge. HAHAHAHA! Gotta try the 5 hour thing to see how I'll react before I actually need it. It's small enough to take on the plane I take it?
If worse comes to worse, my Aunt has emphazima...she said she'd share her O2...HAHA!

I'm near you, out here in Lakeside, just east of San Diego. Yell if you ever need emergency 02, help with it etc. I keep 6 E-Tanks in the garage on and off cycle. It's my insurance policy. PM me for contact info if you need it. Good luck on the flight. :)

Joe