Asthma Breathing Treatments Onboard Majesty?

[macdays1]

Hi, I am going on my fourth NCL Majesty cruise in just a couple of weeks. I just spent an overnight in the hospital due to my asthma. My doctors are working hard on clearing me up, but I'm just wondering if the medical facilities onboard are capable of administering breathing treatments if necessary. I can bring my own meds, but I'm not sure about bringing my machine with me. Any suggestions or info would be greatly appreciated. Cruise Cruiser, you may have some insight for me. Thanks in advance to anyone with info.

Maureen

[ladymanor1]

I have severe asthma, and never, ever go away on vacation with out dragging my neb and necessary meds with me.
I was on the Dawn last year, and packed it in my roll along, carryon (I would not trust to let it out of my sight). fortunatly it was a good trip, as I never had to use it, but it plugs into a regular outlet, so I didn't see that there would be a problem.
I would be surprised to find that the medical facilities did NOT have at least one neb on board, but perhaps it would be better if you were to call NCL to find out for certain.
Here's hoping that your asthma clears up....and you have an asthma free vacation!
Debbie

[macdays1]

Thanks for the info Debbie. You're right, I probably should just take it along with me. Thanks for the well wishes too. This is the first time I've had a problem so close to a cruise. I hope to be all set by then. I'm going to inquire about the small portable nebulizer they have for sale now. It's just a hand-held thing, but looks like it does the trick. They probably do have the facilities for this onboard, and I will check with them just to be sure. Thanks again and take care.

Maureen

[ladymanor1]

I have been just dying (no pun intended hehe) to try one of those hand held neb that they have out now. I think the battery powered ones look so good. Just think, no more lugging around my big machine, and just carrying a small portable in my purse.
We are going on the Dawn again this Sept....so right now I am just in the "praying I will be breathing well" stage LOL
Can you let me know what NCL has to say on the subject of nebs? I would really appreciate it

thanks
Debbie

[WCAB]

I took no medication with me but did have an asthma attack while doing a Europe cruise. They provided me with an inhaler. I do have a machine I can fill with medication at home. If yours is the same size, i do not see why you could not take it with you as it would not appear to take up much space. I would bet they have a machine on board but would have your TA confirm, prior to taking your cruise.

Carol

[emcemt]

Even if they dont have portable nebs on the boat They can defenitely still admisiter treatment in an emergency. I work in an Er and we give nebs via either o2 or air from the hospital system or stand alone 02 tanks which I know the boat has. These ships are well epuipped to handle far over your standard asthma attack. From the ships I have been ( i usually poke my head into the ships infirmary for a quick tour) They can handle ICU type patients.

[ladymanor1]

I am glad to hear that the medical facilities are well equiped.(as I figured they would be)...espically since my asthma attacks are more then the "standard asthma attack" (of course I don't think there is a "standard" asthma attack) I have never been "standard" about anything in my life.....its always all or nothin

Debbie

[maps]

we have one of those hand held nebs for my son. i love it! it is so convenient and portable and has been used many times on vacation. it doesn't take up a lot of space, is not as heavy and works vey well

it was about $125 but i paid $100 for the bigger neb machine so to me it didn't seem that much more expensive

[ladymanor1]

maps
Which brand did you get for your son? I am seriously thinking about purchasing one of the hand held models......I can only imagine the freedom it gives you, espically while on vacation. Not having to lug that machine around, or worry about where you are gonna plug it in!!!!
Is your sons battery operated? I have seen some online that operate on AA batteries.....sounds so convient!

Thanks
Debbie

[macdays1]

Thanks to all who have replied. I went to the doctor today and he wrote me a prescription for a portable nebulizer. I think it will be well worth the price for the convenience. I was told that it would be a little over $100. I'll be picking that up before my cruise. Good luck to all and happy cruising.

[sbcs5390]

We always bring my nebulizer. It's not that big, no bigger than a phonebook, and it's worth it. If an attack were to happen, I wouldn't want me to have to be transported down to the infirmary or for them to have to get to the room, that takes too much time.

[ute_fan]

My daughter has asthma, but luckily it isn't normally very severe. We took her inhaler along, but I never even considered the possibility of a more severe attack. Guess I should think ahead! I would also be interested in hearing what the ship's medical center has available.

When she was in junior high, she had several more severe attacks. Our neighbor was an ER nurse, and had a really cool portable nebulizer. I don't remember the brand, but it worked extremely well. One thing I had done was to look on ebay and see how much they were running. There were quite a few available if you have any idea of what you are looking for. You might want to check there and see if you can get any savings.

[sbcs5390]

I don't know if I'd trust a life saving device off E-Bay, let alone somethign you are breathig through being used. I would say to just bring it. We take a lot of bags, so it's no big deal. I couldn't imagine going without it. I guess if you were the kind that tried to being only a couple bags it would be a consideration. Even so, the bag we use it for isn't much bigger than my mom's purse.

[debjo]

For macdays1 (Maureen)...
I have always taken my "asthma" stuff with me on a cruise and have to say, as an encouragement to you, I've never had to use them. I've found that if I just stay away from any "smokey areas and people", which are a major "trigger" for me, I do just fine. In fact, I have to share that I feel a cruise is the best thing for my asthma problems. I feel that I breathe much more easily "at sea" than anywhere else. It is when I get home that my problems seem to escalate.

The only "problem" that I've had on any NCL cruises with my asthma condition is trying to book snorkel excursions. My asthma hasn't been exercise induced in the past and I've never been questioned about it with previous cruise lines and snorkel excursions. I have to say that NCL is "on the ball" in this area and I found it commendable that they didn't just issue the snorkel excursion tickets without having me fill out a medical questionnaire along with a brief "interview" before giving me the excursion tickets.

Based on my previous experiences, I think you'll be just fine and the ship should be able to handle your needs. Just to be on the safe side, give them a call and double check before you leave. I certainly hope that you are doing much better now and can look forward to you upcoming trip with excited anticipation rather than anxiety because of your recent breathing troubles. Don't let any "stress" be a trigger to an asthma attack! ENJOY YOUR CRUISE!

Debjo

[maps]

For those who are interested in the handheld model, i have a

Mabis Mist Ultrasonic nebulizer model 40-070-000
it comes with ac adapter and rechargeable battery pack (the battery is a great feature)


website www.mabis.net

[ladymanor1]

Thanks maps I will check out the web site......you are happy with the hand held model? Works efficiently? How long does it take to recharge the battery pack? How many treatments does a battery do?

Thanks for all the advice
Debbie


Debjo: I have always found my asthma to to under control on the water....I spend most of my summer on the boat for that reason....I think its cause there are no allergens out there...but the dampness at night, does pose a problem for me.....on the ship, I just stay indoors :)

[cnmiranda]

LadyManor1, I was just wondering how you were treating your Asthma. I, too, had to use the neb a few times/year until I found a really great doctor that helped me, taking all the current drugs. In my youth I would spend weeks in the hospital with asthma-related illnesses. I started allergy shots about 2 years ago and my health has never been better. I take Advair Discus, Zyrtec, and Singulair daily. Also I have the inhaler for emergencies which thankfully I don't need too often now, and when I go out of town I am sure to carry a Medrol dose pack (pregdizone- sp?- a steriod) with me. Just wondering what your treatment is, since it is a shame to be so ill and have to carry the neb. with you. Best of luck.

[ladymanor1]

HI
I have never had much luck with allergy shots, unfortunatly I tried the advair inhaler and experienced MAJOR heart palps and what I can only describe as anxiety attacks. I always travel with, and always have in the house Prednisone, but thankfully I have not really had to use it for quite a while!
I do take singulair, and pulimacort...and of coure the even present albuterol inhaler, and the occasional neb treatment . Over the years I have tried just about every new medicine that has become available. the above is so far what works best, all though it is not perfect.
Been wheezing all my life....wouldn't know what it was like to breath like a "normal" person :)


debbie

[macdays1]

Debjo, I agree with you about taking the necessary stuff along. I think I will just take it to be on the safe side, and hope there are no problems. I've been on three other cruises and never needed anything, however, this is the first time I've had a problem just before sailing. That's why I'm a little concerned. I checked into the price for the portable nebulizer today. I was told it is $100 for the neb, and it's $135 for the battery pack. I think I'll just take my regular machine with me this time and pick that up later on. My doctor gave me plenty of Prednisone to get through the cruise. I should be fine with inhalers and all. Thanks for your concern and answers to my questions. Two weeks and two days! I can't wait!!!

[cnmiranda]

I agree LadyManor. I guess I was lucky because I know shots do not work for a lot of people. The worst part about asthma is not being able to have animals. I just love them, but they make me sick after being around them too long. Best of luck with your treatments, and of course, happy sailings!!!!:)

[Kuppykat]

I'm surprised the neb. machine isn't covered by your health insurance. My husband is a diabetic and his glucometer was covered. I'm sure you looked into this, I'm just curious why it wouldn't be covered? Linda

[sbcs5390]

My dad's a vet, so I'm lucky animals don't affect me!

I use the albuterol in my neb, the Proventil albuterol resuce inhaler, and I just got an Advair Diskus. Those things are amazing- like magic powder. I've been sick with the asthma for like a month, since a pool/spa party, and my fmaily has lost a lot of sleep- we even passed up a great deal on the NCL Crown because of it.

Only problem with the Advair is that the medicine needs to go into your lungs, not your stomach. First night I used it, about an hour and a half after I took it, at 1:30 AM, I woke up and threw up. I don't know if I caught a stomach virus, or chasing the Advair down with water did it, but I always rinse my mouth out with water.

I'm also currently on a steroid, a cortizone, I think. It's just for 6 or 7 days. Best of luck to you all!

-Brian

[mousecruiser]

This will be my third cruise with NCL. I can tell you from experience that they can handle anything. :D
I have food allergies that throw me into anaphylaxis, other severe allergies, and allergy related asthma. On one of the cruises we were on I developed another food allergy that I had not had before. Medical facilities were able to handle it very well. They did ask me to leave them with a list of what all I was allergic to and to tell NCL when I book a cruise.
I carry everything with me to handle things -- nebulizer, epi-pens, and a case full of meds.

[ladymanor1]

Mousecruiser
That is very reassuring to know. I have never had reason to use the medical facilities on board, but have just been going on the assumption that they were well equiped to handle almost everything. For me, IV steriods, when I am really, really, REALLY bad, with a followup of oral steriods, seem to do the trick. Now I can cruise with piece of mind!!!

Thanks,

debbie

[macdays1]

Thanks, it is comforting to know that they can handle pretty much anything. I wish you lots of luck. I know how scary these things can be. Take care, and thanks for responding.

[sbcs5390]

Now for a real show of medical facilities- the QE2 is supposed to have an "operating theater". I wouldn't want to be the surgeon operating on someone in the middle of a transatlantic...


-Brian