OK!  I hope that somebody can help me out here.  I am currently in a cycle.  I have never flown when in one and I am considering cancelling my flight and losing alot of money, but I have to do it by tomorrow (Saturday) late morning.  I have gone back and forth on this one for a couple weeks now.  I am doing the vitamin regimen and was pain free for 6 days.  Unfortunately they have been back for about 6 days and I'm scared as hell that I will get one on the plane.  They have been particularly bad at night when i sleep, but these past couple days I've experienced some late morning/early afternoon as well.  I'm hoping that whatever is tipping my D3 in the wrong direction will even itself out soon...but obviously I can't count on that.

Please help if u can, I'd really appreciate any feedback.

Thanks, Lori

Anyway.....my question is, has anyone had a bad experience on a plane?  Will the pressure make it worse?  Has anyone been in a cycle but nothing happened when you flew? Are there any tips or tricks to survive the plane ride if I do go????  It's about a 4 hour plane ride...I just don't know what to do????

Hi Lori,
Have you read about loading doses of the D3?  Might consider doing that the night or two nights in a row before you go.

Also, do you have or can you get any Imitrex injections or nasal sprays?  Might consider taking them aboard.

Lastly, would you happen to have any small o2 tanks you could bring on board?

I would recommend getting a few Redbulls or energy drinks containing Caffeine and Taurine to bring in your carry on handbag.

Will you have meds or o2 or prescription waiting for you when you get to your destination?

I'm sure you will be fine ;)

-Gregg in Las Vegas

I've flown well over 100 times whilst in cycle, mainly short 45 minute flights, but also some 7 and 12 hours flights too. I never had one whilst flying, but for some people it can be a time when they do get them, so everyone is different.

As always with CH, it is all about planning.

You could try getting a prednisione taper dose from your GP. This should give good protection and block most CHs for the time the taper lasts. This can be good for a one off flight.

Otherwise it is a case of making sure you have access to abortives. Some of this advice might not apply, depending on where you are in the world, but here in NZ I always fly with imitrex injections. I've never been asked any questions from airport security, but check what rules apply where you'll be flying.

For long flights, I've also purchased some Red Bull (other energy drinks will work too with caffeine / taurine) cans after international security, so there are no problems with liquids. I've done this on flights that transit the US.

Olanzapine (START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE) is a tablet form abortive you can take for CH.

For imitrex, if you can't take injections through security, try the nasal spray or although much less effective, the tablet form.

Maxalt melts are another alternative. Again not a great abortive, it is an option.

If alcohol is a trigger, make sure you avoid it on the flight, even when tempted by free wines, etc.

Make a plan, have abortives to hand so that you don't have to scrable through a bag in the overhead locker if you need to use one.

You might also want to think about telling the person you're sat next to what might happen and that people shouldn't panic. This is easier done before a CH hits.

If sleeping tends to trigger a CH, avoid sleeping.

Now go take the flight and enjoy where you're going.

LasVegas wrote on Aug 23^rd, 2013 at 9:43pm:

Lastly, would you happen to have any small o2 tanks you could bring on board?

It is highly unlikely that you'll be able to take your own oxygen cylinders on a plane as most airlines prohibit this explicitly.

I've only been stopped at airport security once after hand baggage has gone through the xray in about 250 flights and that was when I was carrying an oxygen regulator. Once they realised what it was, they were really careful to ensure that I didn't have a cylinder with me or in my hold baggage.

However you may be able to arrange one via the airline, but this sometimes needs a few days advance notice.

Hi,
I flew back from Singapore to England (about 15  hours) in full cycle, kip 9 or 10 and going an hour on and  an hour off. It was a miserable journey as you'd expect, but it was no worse than normal. That was before I was diagnosed and I had no meds what so ever. I am shortly going on a big round the world retirement trip and have about 12 flights to do, but I won't let this damn illness ruin it for me. I have meds now, sumatriptan tablets for up to K5 and auto injections for anything worse. I will just explain to who ever is sitting next to me, and then use my injection as normal. I don't think you would be able to take 02 on the plane.
Don't let the beast spoil it for you. If you cancel your flight you are letting it win.
Let me know how you get along. Good luck with it.
Maz