How to Travel Confidently When You Live With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

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Once you get the all clear for your trip, experts recommend including the following in your IPF travel kit:

Medications and Breathing Equipment

Pack all prescription medications and any breathing equipment you use at home, such as inhalers or a nebulizer machine, says Priscilla Grace Tiglao Yee, DO, a pulmonary and critical care physician with UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center with offices in Glen Burnie and Laurel, Maryland.

Before you leave, request refills of your medications as needed. Keep your medications in your carry-on luggage and don’t check them (if you check bags) to avoid losing anything important, Dr. Yee adds. Make sure you have enough supplies for the full trip, plus a little extra in case of delays or extended stays.

Portable Oxygen Equipment and Accessories

If you use supplemental oxygen and are flying, ask the manufacturer if your oxygen concentrator, the device that pulls oxygen from the surrounding air, is approved for in-flight use.

 Then verify with the airline whether your device can be brought on the plane, says Dr. Hajari Case. Airlines may require a note from your doctor confirming your oxygen use and travel needs.

Be sure to confirm that your portable oxygen concentrator has at least 150 percent of the battery life needed for your travel time to account for possible delays, says Rami Abboud, MD, a pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine specialist at Mercy Health in Lorain, Ohio. Don’t forget the cords, adapters, and backup battery packs.

Dr. Abboud also suggests packing a pulse oximeter to monitor your oxygen levels and taking advantage of early boarding if available, so you have extra time to get properly situated before departure.

“Travelers should make sure they will have enough oxygen for the trip and at their destination, which will require calculating supply needs in advance or arranging for oxygen to be available upon arrival,” Hajari Case says.

The pressurized cabin of an airplane may cause blood oxygen levels to drop, says Dr. Howsare. Talk to your pulmonologist about whether you may need supplemental oxygen during the flight or, if you already use it, whether your current settings need to be adjusted.

Medical Records and Key Contacts

Yee recommends bringing copies of your medication list and recent medical notes.

Keep key contact information handy as well, says Hajari Case, including your insurance provider, your physicians at home, and any family members who should be reached in an emergency.

You might also want to have printed copies in a travel folder that you can grab in a pinch, as well as digital access on your phone, so this information is easy to share if needed.

Masks and Hand Sanitizer

Crowded public spaces mean more exposure to germs, and even a minor respiratory infection can trigger an IPF flare.

 Yee recommends packing masks and plenty of hand sanitizer to reduce the risk of infection while you’re out and about.

Other Items

Also consider packing the following items, according to our experts:

  • A pill organizer
  • A reusable water bottle
  • A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, if you use one at home
  • A travel pillow
  • A white noise machine, if that’s part of your usual sleep routine
  • Your doctor’s letter explaining your devices and medications



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