Connect
Traveling with Bronchiectasis/NTM
Can you travel with Bronchiectasis/MAC/NTM? The experts say YES.
For a long time, Connect members have asked this question, and gotten all sorts of answers, mostly based on our collective personal opinions. This is what the experts say on the subject. These are questions individuals in the European Bronchiectasis Registry asked, which were formulated into a questionnaire and presented to a group of lung experts around the world (including Mayo Clinic):
https://publications.ersnet.org/content/erjor/5/4/00113-2019
The experts' responses say "YES" and outline precautions to take, even to some things I thought impossible like scuba diving. And even if on antibiotics or oxygen. These are the same things my docs stressed, and what I follow when traveling, including a recent 3 week camping trip through the US and Canada, followed by a 3 week air and land trip in Europe. I manages to stay healthy throughout both, as did my traveling companion who also has bronchiectasis. Our new Pari Rapid eFlow nebulizer got a real workout, and we had a ready supply of masks.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.
Connect
Wow! In all these years somehow I missed this useful document.
For me, cleaning/sterilizing becomes one of the most challenging parts of traveling. The article states: "The appropriate means for cleaning and sterilising medical equipment (e.g. nebulisers and mucus-clearance devices) should be available when travelling", but it does not go into specifics. How did you deal with this aspect?
For domestic travel longer than a few days I pack a BBS along with a ramen pot for boiling water, dawn dish soap and a small silicone container. I'll pick up distilled water, which is easy to find in the US. In, Europe+ I understand finding distilled water is almost non-existent. The eFlow cleaning instructions specifically call for distilled water. What was your experience?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI read the article but it never mentions how to clean equipment when traveling! That is important to me as I’ll be in Portugal at a resort and need some recommendations for cleaning. I’m thinking ask for an electric kettle that I can boil water and then pour over Aerobika and neb cup? Any suggestions?