To ask if you can reassure me about flying with asthma

[Lovecooking123]

Having a worry about going on a long flight having been diagnosed in the last 6 months with asthma. Can anyone with asthma reassure me?
Also, do main ( not budget) airlines carry emergency oxygen ie apart from the over head oxygen? Thanks..

It’s fairly controlled at the moment Peak flow is not high but best it’s been for a while.
I just find asthma scary as it’s a recent diagnosis

I have (usually) mild asthma, but was away in the states for work around 3 years ago and my inhaler ran out :( Didnt have time to get a new one before the flight and I was struggling with a bad chest, and had an asthma attack early into the 8 hour flight home. BA went through 2 oxygen cylinders on me, and did eventually work out how to inject ventolin into the tube line (they must have had it in a medical kit, but not in inhaler form?). They were great, and consulted with a dr on the ground during the flight. They wouldn't let one of the flight attendants give me his inhaler though for liability reasons.

Now I always travel with 2 of each inhaler, including 2 ventolin in my hand luggage! It was my own stupid fault, but I'd been careless as I was travelling so much for work back then. The flight didnt cause the attack, it would have happened wherever I was.

Liland....was there no one on the plane with a ventolin inhaler. I find that surprising. I always have mine with me and have often come to the rescue of people who forget theirs. Also, you could have gotten a replacement inhaler in the USA quite easily....

If you regularly need oxygen to control your asthma I'd speak to you're doctor about flying and the holiday. And make sure your medical insurance is aware of the asthma - particually if you are being hospitalised regularly.
My son and brothers all suffer with asthma and planes have never effected them but their astnma has never been so severe as to need oxygen

DH has had asthma his whole life and even though he's a frequent flyer he's never had an issue.
I've just asked him and he said that even though he's been called for medical emergencies on several flights he has never had to deal with an asthma attack but they do generally have very good medical kits on board.

I'm another person that's never had a problem. I've always kept my inhaler on me but never needed it

Again, thanks. Very reassuring . So it seems the air in the plane won’t be an issue and as someone said, it seems to be filtered.
It was just out of interest that I had asked about the oxygen.
Just getting used to carrying my inhalers and spacer around with me everywhere

That's interesting about the spacer. I don't think I've seen a spacer prescribed for an adult....

Apparently if a spacer is used it gets more of the inhaler contents into your system. As I say, I have only recently been diagnosed.

I’m asthmatic and I’m ex cabin crew. Yes, there will be oxygen on the flights and they should have inhalers onboard and they’ll have a spacer too, but I would suggest taking your own with you for the flight. You’ll be fine.

@SofiaAmes apparently, the advice is that everyone should use a spacer now as it's a much more efficient way of delivering the drug. I've got one now and I can feel the difference especially if I'm wheezy.
@Lovecooking123 take your asthma plan with you so that you (and people around you) know what to do in case of an attack. Do you have a preventer too? Obviously, make sure you've taken that before you fly and have your reliever in your hand luggage.

I have an adult spacer and so does one of my colleagues. It doesn’t have a mask but the mouthpiece makes a noise to warn you if you are breathing too hard.

... that is to warn you to slow down, I guess a big deep breath is not as effective as shorter more relaxed ones.

I have quite bad asthma (need a steroid inhaler twice a day) and fly several times a year without any issues. Make sure you have your reliever inhaler with you. Every plane has oxygen overhead in case of emergencies but I really doubt you will need it

Thanks for more replies. I’ll take my preventer in the morning and carry relievers onboard.
It’s reassuring to know how many people fly with asthma ...