Flying with MAC/MAI

Thanks Fran, for starting this new discussion about flying with MAI/MAC/NTM. This is a common question that has been asked within several discussions on Connect. I'm tagging @kaystrand @Paula_MAC2007 @jenblalock @128128terry11t @lindam272 and invite them to share what they have learned from their providers and through the various discussions here on Connect.

You may also be interested in reading these discussions about travel:
- MAC and NTMs with Cavities http://mayocl.in/2riJQUy
- Traveling with the aerobika with or without a nebulizer http://mayocl.in/2qkPK9O

Fran, were you told not to fly with MAI by your doctor? Were you given a reason why not or what precautions you should take?

@fransav, jumping in JUST for a moment since it is SO easy to grab from my File Cabinet .. hope it helps! Doctors do not always know about what we as a community have spent HOURS researching! The mask is GREAT!! By the way .. I have traveled all over the world with MAI, Bronchiectasis, Reactive Airway Disease using these precautions .. BUT do ask your own doctor as all of us have individual medical issues. Hugs! Katherine

TRAVEL-MY LINE OF DEFENSE TO AVOID TRAVEL COLDS/VIRUS: 1. Airborne Vitamin C 1000mg Immune Support Supplement .. several times a day
https://smile.amazon.com/Airborne-Vitamin-Support-Supplement-Effervescent/dp/B000WZI4WY/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1483906644&sr=1-1&keywords=airborne%2Bcold&th=1
2. MORE IMPORTANTLY I THINK .. I have only found it on Amazon.com but I think it works WONDERFULLY! Used it MANY times a day when I felt I was starting to get this bacterial infection .. don't even follow directions .. sorry! Halo Oral Antiseptic, Citrus,
https://smile.amazon.com/Halo-HL00101-Oral-Antiseptic-Citrus/dp/B009240FPK/ref=sr_1_2_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1483906763&sr=1-2&keywords=halo+oral+antiseptic+spray
I don't know about you .. but with my MAC PLUS Bronchiectasis I just seem to catch ANY cold/flu virus out there .. anywhere in the vicinity of me! So the day before airplane travel I use Airborne 2 times .. and Halo at least 3 times. The day of travel I try to do the same thing .. at least Airborne in the am before departure .. and then Halo 3-4 times. Then on the trip if I feel fine .. I just use the Halo 1 or 2x per day just to boost my immune system. This seems to work for me!

Also in my daily life if I hear anyone appearing to have a sick cough around me .. I grab my Halo Spray (carry it in my purse at all times!) and spray away! **

TRAVEL-HALO AND AIRBORNE In terms of travel .. this has been my experience! Traveling with someone who caught a terrible virus that turned into a bacterial ... coughing constantly! During the trip I was able to "nicely" avoid her .. BUT then had to sit across the aisle for 10.5 HOURS on an airplane! The morning of departure I started sneezing like crazy .. nose running like a sieve! SO I jumped on my usual travel remedies. I will tell you what works for me .. may NOT work for anyone else .. but I kept it up for three days solid .. AND did NOT get that infection .. OR stopped it in it's tracks! YEAH!

TRAVEL-MASK I was traveling to a VERY air polluted area .. I did a LOT of research and found there was a BETTER mask than the 3M N95 mask .. PLUS could looked kinda cute! I found it decent to breath with. I travel with it always! Good info at: https://cambridgemask.com/technology/ (Our filter material is comprised of a series of activated carbon filaments, each about 2,000 nanometres in diameter. The pores in each filament are 25 times smaller than those in standard carbon materials, and therefore more powerful. This means that bacteria and viruses are drawn to the surface from further away. The high number of filaments – spun into a yarn and then woven into cloth – concentrate and intensify the Van der Waal forces, including powerful electrostatic charges. This way, not only are molecules such as endotoxins quickly absorbed into the pores from a much wider area, but these forces also attract and immobilise much larger particles including bacteria, which often have a negatively charged membrane. The material traps the bacteria and draws out the gel-like cytoplasm inside – killing it and preventing infection.)

Purchased at: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KK2NSVK/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=cambridgemask-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01KK2NSVK&linkId=f4be07a257cb28b462c1db1dc0c037ab

CLEANING Washing Instructions – can I wash the mask? Yes, you can CAREFULLY hand wash it with some mild soap. Note that the masks are washable, but cleaning them only removes dirt not pollution trapped inside the filter. So the mask needs to be replaced after extended use to ensure proper filtration.

SIZING We have found that the best way to choose the mask is by weight. MEDIUM: 33 – 64kg= 73 to 141#

*REPLACMENT TIME How long can I use it? Cambridge Masks™ are non-disposable, meaning that you can use them for potentially hundreds of hours. The length of time they are suitable for depends on how polluted the environment is when you use it. A table is provided below, but a “rule of thumb” (a guideline) is that you can use the masks on a regular basis for 3-6 months before it needs replacing. Note that the masks are washable, but cleaning them only removes dirt not pollution trapped inside the filter. So the mask needs to be replaced after extended use to ensure proper filtration.

NOTE: Beyond Index Over 500 Visibility below 600 meters. Fog-like clouds of pollution clearly visible even in bright sunlight. WILL LAST 90 hours Hope you find this helpful! Katherine

**ALSO use especially in auto or crowded areas like theatres etc: Air Supply Mini-Mate Personal Ionic Air Purifier-- Air Supply Mini-Mate Personal Ionic Air Purifier--Black https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B6CMZ4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Fran
I am the only person I know who was told by my Mayo doc not to fly for a few months with CAVITARY MAC. They said the reason was pressure could cause the cavity to leak or break into my lung. A few months after antibiotics my cavity reduced and I flew to Europe and back recently. I'm fine, not a sniffle or cold either. I got the ok first.
I washed my hands several times a day and used wipes to clean down my tray etc on the plane. I brought my Aerobika with me. I was fortunate to not get sick- when someone was coughing or blowing in a crowd and was near me, I moved away.
I'm careful, I almost didn't take the trip then began to think what am I trying so hard to live for, if I'm not doing those things I was waiting to do at retirement? I also work at a homeless shelter, plenty of germs. But it gives my life purpose, and again, I wash hands, always so dry from washing. Joy is good for our immune systems!! We have to do things that give us joy.
Eating healthy is I think key too. It's helps our immunity to stay away from inflammation inducing foods like sugar. I'm not perfect, but as a rule I work at 7-9 fruits and veggies per day, not always getting there but something to shoot for!
I wish you the best!! Take care
Kay S

I was going to go to California from NY, & I was told to wait until I was n antibiotiotics for a few months.

Thanks so much for ur response. You sound like a very special person.

My pulmonologist said that he doesn't think that a mask does that much good when traveling. I don't want to take a chance so I got and use the Cambridge mask recommended by this life-saving forum. Also recommended and used by me when I travel are Airborne and Halo spray or Flight spray. It is critical to make certain that the air vent above your seat is turned to the "off" position. If I think of anything else, I will post immediately.
Terry