Unususal medical condition.

[ALR]

Hi

Thanks everyone!

I already informed them that I had asthma and low blood pressure when we booked the flights, but thought they didn't fully understand what I meant when I explained I had low blood pressure. People tend to think that high blood pressure is the most risky which yes it does have it's problems but abnormally low blood pressure can have it's problems too.

I am a highly unusual case that has to take medication to raise my blood pressure, I've had tilt table training to learn how to try and raise my BP and follow certain procedures to try and raise it.

When I declared it on my medical insurance they were more interested in my having had cancer than what happens to my heart and BP during these episodes.

As for my symptoms, it's difficult to explain because even my consultants can't explain it, basically my heart doesn't recognise what is happening in my body, so my heart rate which is abnormally slow, can be 39/42 beats per minute, and my blood supply doesn't always reach my brain, therefore sometimes you pass out, feel dizzy or be physically sick, or the body temperature drops rapidly etc.

I'm under a few hospitals for my symptoms but none of my consultants agree on the cause which makes it sometimes difficult to explain to others.

[chris c]

Sorry to hear about your illness, but hopefully it will not interfere with your holiday at all.

I really think that you should follow the advice above and make a point of stressing your condition when you check in at the airport.

[LiesaAnna]

yes i am too sorry to hear about your illness, but i can see your the sort of person who wont let a thing like this spoil their holidays!!
hope you have a great time!!

[steph_goodrum]

Thanks AlR - hopefully it won't present any problems when you go but it is interesting to find out. I know a friend of mine had dangerously low blood pressure when she was pregnant but never found out how it actually affected her, as you say the most usual is high blood pressure and the symptoms for that are more well documented.

I'm sure you're going to have a great trip nonetheless, it seems the more problems people have the more they appreciate having a good time etc. whereas some people have nothing to worry about and find fault and criticise every little thing.

[CarolAnn]

Definately let the airline know prior to departure, and confirm details with a senior cabin crew member once on the Flight. I carry medication, and always inform the Carrier via their customer help line, they add the details to your passanger information. To be fore warned is to be fore armed.
Heres hoping for a condition FREE flight and a great holiday though!!

[ALR]

Thanks everyone.

I've tried e-mailing Virgin again but received no reply, so I'm going to have to phone.

I'm quite surprised because they replied promptly when we informed them that my son has severe asthma and will be using his nebuliser onboard the flight.

Due to the fact that 3/5 of us have medical conditions we've normally gone short haul flights for holidays or gone on cruises, but this year I thought we'd live a little!!!

Can't wait [msncool][msncool][msncool]

[steph_goodrum]

I'm sure you won't regret the decision but if you find it is a little too much then another time you could always try flying indirectly and having a stopover for a few days en-route so you do a shorter trip each time.

[chrizzy100]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by ALR
Thanks everyone.

I've tried e-mailing Virgin again but received no reply, so I'm going to have to phone.

I'm quite surprised because they replied promptly when we informed them that my son has severe asthma and will be using his nebuliser onboard the flight.

Due to the fact that 3/5 of us have medical conditions we've normally gone short haul flights for holidays or gone on cruises, but this year I thought we'd live a little!!!

Can't wait [msncool][msncool][msncool]
[/quote]

My husband has low BP....not like yours....but too low for my liking.....but doctors seem to think its fine...to them if its low you're ok...[msnscared]....I have high BP only when in hospital or at the doctors.......they have nearly killed me twice having babies trying to bring it down..... it goes back to normal on its own after the doctore finishes taking my BP.....so if treated it goes way too low.....

[owen3]

i have low blood pressure and asthma and have flown around the world. never had any trouble on the flights, but my bp is not as low as yours. if i have bp taken, the nurse usually has to try both arms, to get a reading. she calls me the living dead. barbara

[ALR]

Funny you should say that! About being called the Living Dead!

I've got a bit of a chequered medical history, and the number of times staff have NOT been able to read my pulse is astounding!

Think I've had about 20 ops now, and they come to my bedside to read my pulse, then go and fetch someone else to attempt to do it.

Next they drag the electronic BP machine, and I politely tell them it won't work on me, so they always say, "we'll just give it a try"
The arm cuff increases about 4 times almost stopping my blood supply before they give up, believe me and fetch the manual one.

When I had my angiogram, they almost called it off, saying my heart rate was too slow.

It can be quite frustrating sometimes, I was in hospital in March, and I kept explaining that I didn't need the anti-blood clot injection (heparin) every night, (it's compulsory now), because I always haemmorage, it was only after I passed out the 3rd time in the bathroom, with my BP amazingly low, that they actually started to listen.[:O]