Travel with vest, Aerobika and Pari Trek nebulizer

I once traveled with my Vest but shortly after stopped using it so never traveled with it again. I had zero problems getting through TSA if that’s what you’re asking. I had a note from my doctor just in case. The trek and aerobika was straightforward. I packed it in my carry-on.

Thank you. Would think it would be cumbersome to travel with. Will check with Pulmonologist to see if necessary for the 2 weeks traveling.

The vest and machine are very cumbersome when flying so when I go to NJH I just bring my nebulizer machine with Aerobika (and continue to use it 2X daily). I have never had an issue going 5 days without the vest because when I return home I begin using it right away.

@winterfelllvoyager75
sonal item Everywhere I go, my vest comes with me. I always plan a trip to the Pulmonologist's office 2 weeks before I leave on vaca to get "what if" meds prescription and time to get filled. I also always have a letter stating I am medically fit to travel and a letter I always have the a letter from my Doctor explaining what my machine does and why I need it. They will always bomb test it even in the states. Not a big deal usually. However, Paris was a nightmare. Both my husband and my knee replacements set off the scanner machine. But I did warn them that I would set it off and why. I did!!!! They did an overly cautious frisk and search of my body, shoes, and watch. The nice young man asked me if he could test my airway clearance machine and I told him sure. It tested no bomb. However, they were determined to find THE BOMB. I am happy to say, they did not! We were on our way but missed our great seats and had to sit in the back of the plane to Milan from Paris. In Air France's defence, they do have great cookies! So in answer to your question, yes it is cumbersome and in general a pain in the rear. However, it saves my life and I always have a fantastic trip. I take my nublizer for saline too. I check one bag of clothes and so does my husband. I use my airway clearance machine as my carry on item and a crossbody bag with emergency meds in case I start to cough or breath funny as my personal item. I separate out the airway clarence in two pieces . . . the machine and the top part with the hoses so the airline will not question it. My husband takes an emergency bag of clothes, our meds, and my nebulizer as his carry on. He also uses the section of the airway clearance with the hoses as his personal item. It is complicated but it works for us.

If I am going somewhere for more than two days, I take my vest along with all my other equipment. The bag the vest comes in is big enough for me to not only put that in but also my portable nebulizer and the neb meds etc. I have enough cups now that I don’t have to sterilize every day. The airlines don’t count your bag w medical equipment so that helps. I put as much as I can in there and ALWAYS carry it on a plane. I would never check it. Hope this helps.

@jackie7926 Thanks for your message. I’m traveling for 2 weeks.
I just messaged my Dr at NJH and he said I don’t need to bring my vest. Yay!

I posted about my trip under a different thread.. i carried a portable oxygen concentrator as well as a Pari travel nebulizer and the aerobika. No raised eyebrows or additional searches from Boston to Tucson with change of planes in Dallas. They just wanted to know if I knew how to operate the POC and if it was fully charged.

@winterfelllvoyager75 Have you ever done your own chest percussion by cupping your hands and working the areas on the sides of your breast bone?. Or making fists with your hands and bending your arms at the elbows to reach your back and working the areas to the sides of your spine? Are you able to do postural drainage.?
Are you able to walk and do light exercise?
So many things can somewhat help and make up for not having the vest for a short time, including good Diaphragmatic breathing,
You may already do some of this. All could help with getting the mucus up with not having the vest.
The best times, as you probably know, are first thing in the morning and then evening....but not right after you eat....as you probably know.
Have a great trip.
Barbara

@blm1007blm1007 Thanks for your reply and suggestions! Can’t do postural drainage due to GERD but do a lot of walking. Not much luck with cupping. Dr says I don’t need to bring the vest. I’ll be ok. Excited to be going to Madagascar!
Thank you!

@winterfelllvoyager75 Dr. Anne Elizabeth O'Donnell from Georgetown recommends using a backpack with weight while walking, to help, as one way to help with air way clearance.
Madagascar....nice! Enjoy.
Barbara.