Need some help and/or advice

[MouseearsDeb]

My DS 6 has been sick a lot over the last few months. We had planned on going to WDW in Oct. Already made airline reservations, purhased Universal tickets and have a deposit on our villa rental. It looks like we are going to have to get DS 6 to a asthma/allergy specialist. I'm thinking, maybe I should see about canceling our trip. I don't really want to because I know he would enjoy it BUT, he is sick what seems like every other month and the regular pediatrician just isn't working. I know I can get the deposit back on my rental. Has anyone ever tried and had any luck on Southwest getting their money refunded? How about Universal? I was thinking if I called and explained the situation maybe they would have a heart. Luckily, we had not yet purchased our WDW tickets. He may be fine for the trip but the longer we wait to do anything, I think the harder it will be to succeed in getting them to work with us.

Any suggestions? and Thanks

 

[lac628]

I see you live in TN. We just got back from TN for vacation. My Dad and DH had a really hard time for the short time we were up there. Their allergies were sooooo bad. They are never like this down here in FL. When we were at the airport to come home, DH overheard a guy saying that the pollen has been so bad this year and his allergies have been so bad. Maybe it's the same thing affecting your son. He may get some relief down here. I am not sure that I would cancel just yet. Maybe wait a little longer and see what the specialist says.

 

[lilclerk]

If you don't have refundable tickets for Southwest, I believe their policy is you can use your tickets as credit for another flight for a year. So at least if you can't go this time, you can try to book another trip soon when your son is feeling better.
For Universal, you should be able to use your tickets for when you plan your trip next (I'm of course assuming that you'll be postponing the trip rather than canceling it forever :animwink: )

I really hope the allergist helps and your son feels better soon. If it's any consolation, I've had asthma for as long as I can remember and the only time I had a problem in FL was when I stayed in my uncle's house in a bedroom with a musty comforter.

 

[Disneykidder]

Having severe athsma myself, I feel his/your pain. I have been on regular meds twice a day for 11 years now after a long stint in the hospital. I see my athsma/allergist every few months for monitoring but am fine. I hope your sons condition improves. I am on singulair and advair. It took a bit of time to find the right cocktail. I know my friends son, 3, is on singulair and it has helped him immenseley. Definately have your son see a pediatric allergist/athsma specialist. They will do a scratch test and will know what to do.

About refunds...not sure on Universal but you can always sell them for face value on e-bay or put an ad up somewhere. Southwest...call them and explain. We had to change our reservation and had to pay the difference of $40 a ticket. You may be able to just choose a later date and just switch over your reservation.

I hope after your meeting with the new doc that you don't have to cancel your trip. Maybe wait to see what he/she says first.

Good luck!!!!

 

[tigsmom]

My suggestion is before you do anything else get him to a pediatric pulmonologist, skip the allergist. Not all asthma is allergy related and even if it is the pulmonologist can treat the allergy. Speaking from experience (I live with 3 asthmatics), once you get a proper diagnosis and he is put on the proper medication he will feel much much better and you may not have to cancel your trip.
Both my daughters have not been sick since their asthma has been diagnosed and properly treated. Pediatricians are great, but they are not experts in asthma, the pulmonologist is. They will be the one who is up on the latest tests and medications.

 

[MouseearsDeb]

My suggestion is before you do anything else get him to a pediatric pulmonologist, skip the allergist. Not all asthma is allergy related and even if it is the pulmonologist can treat the allergy. Speaking from experience (I live with 3 asthmatics), once you get a proper diagnosis and he is put on the proper medication he will feel much much better and you may not have to cancel your trip.
Both my daughters have not been sick since their asthma has been diagnosed and properly treated. Pediatricians are great, but they are not experts in asthma, the pulmonologist is. They will be the one who is up on the latest tests and medications.

It's been soooo aggravating. We got his report card today and he missed a total of 25 days of Kindergarten! So, we've got to do something. I agree and my husband does wholeheartedly with the comment about Pediatricians being great but there comes a time when you've got to do something else. I think the suggestion to hold off until he's seen a specialist would be the best course of action. It's just so frustating and I got to where I just didn't know what to do about the trip.

Would travel insurance benefit me in any way? I know absolutely nothing about it so I don't know if it would be a good thing in our situation.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[tigsmom]

It's been soooo aggravating. We got his report card today and he missed a total of 25 days of Kindergarten! So, we've got to do something. I agree and my husband does wholeheartedly with the comment about Pediatricians being great but there comes a time when you've got to do something else. I think the suggestion to hold off until he's seen a specialist would be the best course of action. It's just so frustating and I got to where I just didn't know what to do about the trip.

Would travel insurance benefit me in any way? I know absolutely nothing about it so I don't know if it would be a good thing in our situation.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Check out insurance here

We have always booked with the insurance since its a big chunk of change to lose should something come up. We've never had to cancel a WDW trip, but did another because of emergency surgery for the DH. We got everything back, but a small fee.

 

[Elonwy]

Universal Studios tickets are non-refundable, however, they don't expire until 6 days after your first day of use so you can hang onto those for a future trip.

For Southwest, it completely depends on the type of fare you booked as some fares come with non-refundable restrictions to them. If you want to request a refund you can contact their home office, though it can take a couple of weeks (up to about 2 months) for the refund to be processed so if you think you may be able to travel again soon it may be more worth your while to just change the date on the tickets instead.

All refund requests should include your unused ticket or proof of purchase or the confirmation number

You can contact Southwest here:

Refund requests should be mailed to:
Southwest Airlines Refunds Department
P.O. Box 36649
Dallas, Texas 75235-1649

If you really want a refund for the Universal tickets you can write to them but, if you can travel later and don't require the money back right away you might as well hang onto them

 

[EPCOT.nut]

I see you live in TN. We just got back from TN for vacation. My Dad and DH had a really hard time for the short time we were up there. Their allergies were sooooo bad. They are never like this down here in FL. When we were at the airport to come home, DH overheard a guy saying that the pollen has been so bad this year and his allergies have been so bad. Maybe it's the same thing affecting your son. He may get some relief down here. I am not sure that I would cancel just yet. Maybe wait a little longer and see what the specialist says.

We are all on allergy shots here in Florida - :lol: - seriously I have asthma and have a lot of issues here in Florida. Asthma is very serious and it is so humid that it does not help. I had trouble last Oct at C-25 because I felt like I was breathing water with the high humidity and eventual rain.

My suggestion is before you do anything else get him to a pediatric pulmonologist, skip the allergist. Not all asthma is allergy related and even if it is the pulmonologist can treat the allergy. Speaking from experience (I live with 3 asthmatics), once you get a proper diagnosis and he is put on the proper medication he will feel much much better and you may not have to cancel your trip.
Both my daughters have not been sick since their asthma has been diagnosed and properly treated. Pediatricians are great, but they are not experts in asthma, the pulmonologist is. They will be the one who is up on the latest tests and medications.

tigsmom - I was really hoping you would find this thread becaus I know you know the drill. I totally agree to skip the allergist. It took a hospital stay and about 6 months after that for my pulmonologist to get my meds straight!

I started seeing an allergist in 1993 and it was only until 2007, my hospital nightmare, and a good pulmonologist to set me straight.

 

[tigsmom]

We are all on allergy shots here in Florida - :lol: - seriously I have asthma and have a lot of issues here in Florida. Asthma is very serious and it is so humid that it does not help. I had trouble last Oct at C-25 because I felt like I was breathing water with the high humidity and eventual rain.



tigsmom - I was really hoping you would find this thread becaus I know you know the drill. I totally agree to skip the allergist. It took a hospital stay and about 6 months after that for my pulmonologist to get my meds straight!

I started seeing an allergist in 1993 and it was only until 2007, my hospital nightmare, and a good pulmonologist to set me straight.

It wasn't until Lil'Mermaid was admitted to the hospital in respiratory failure that we finally got a diagnosis of asthma from the pulmonologist. Her pediatrician had been treating her for various sinus infections and allergies.
DH is an asthmatic (and we are both RNs) and we knew it was more than that. It wasn't until we insisted she be seen by an expert that he got the proper medication and by then it was almost too late. She has atypical asthma so her symptoms are not the usual that we all think of.

 

[smk]

My suggestion is before you do anything else get him to a pediatric pulmonologist, skip the allergist. Not all asthma is allergy related and even if it is the pulmonologist can treat the allergy. Speaking from experience (I live with 3 asthmatics), once you get a proper diagnosis and he is put on the proper medication he will feel much much better and you may not have to cancel your trip.
Both my daughters have not been sick since their asthma has been diagnosed and properly treated. Pediatricians are great, but they are not experts in asthma, the pulmonologist is. They will be the one who is up on the latest tests and medications.

Well said. I agree 100%.

 

[JessicaB]

My son has allergy/asthma and for a while was taking Singular, Flonase, advair, and allergy shots twice a week, and that's just while he wasn't having a flare up. When we went to Disney for the first time we took all his meds and his nibulazer. Thank god he never needed. Now at almost 14 his symptoms have decreased greatly. Although, this year they've been a little more present. ( We are also in TN in Mout Juliet) My advice is to see the specialist and make your decision then. You know your child better than anyone. Though I have to say that DS seemed to actully do better at Disney that first time than he did at home. We also lived in Mississippi at the time and everytime we revist Mississippi or Alabama he gets sick all over again. You are in my prayers. I know what your going through. Good luck.

 

[maryszhi]

i am so sorry about your son and haveing to cancel your trip. I have never flown southwest, but believe you will get credit for another trip. i am also sure the villa rental will give you the refund since its a slow time, or you can use it for another trip, same with universal