Meniere's Disease Support Group

Meniere's disease is a balance disorder of the inner ear. The symptoms of Meniere's are variable; not all sufferers experience the same symptoms. However, "classic Meniere's" is considered to comprise the following four symptoms: Periodic episodes of rotary vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a sensation of fullness or pressure in one or both ears.

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/ Meniere's Disease Support Group

flying

catalinav
catalinav
I am in a delima, my youngest daughter graduates from bootcamp in April, which means I would have to take a 5 hour flight to get there. It has been over 2 years since I have flown, and my MD was not this bad. So of course anxiety has set in. My question is, do any of you fly and if so does it bother you?
Squarley
Squarley
HI FRIEND, I TRIED FLYING YEARS AGO HAD TO TAKE 2 XANX,SOME PEOPLE HAVE NO TROUBLE BUT IT CAN CAUSE EAR PRESSURE AND LIGHT HEADED YOU COULD DO IT JUST TAKE SOMETHING WITH YOU. HOPE YOU MAKE IT , I AM STILL HAVING UP AND DOWN DAYS ,YOU TO I BET, THIS IS ARE LIFE AND WE HAVE TO MAKE THE BEST OF IT,HUGS SHIRLEY
deleted_user
deleted_user
Several things that might help. (I've flown over 5 times and these are things I have learned.) If your ears pop easily, the flight will be easier. If they don't, make sure to take plenty of gum or whatever you use to help your ears pop.

A decongestant before the flight will also help relieve the fullness.

When you get your ticket, call the airline and explain you have a medical condition that causes you to lose your equillibrium and ask if you can get a seat over the wings -- but NOT by the emergency door. Get a note from your doc if necessary. This is the most stable part of the plane and although you'll still feel some vibrations, not as much as sitting elsewhere on the plane.

Drink ALOT of water on the plane. Get a couple of bottles before you get on the plane and put them in your purse under your seat.

When you get off the plane, do not hesitate to ask the employees to call you a golfcart to get you to the bagage claim. Some airports have a long walk and if you aren't doing well, you might as well take advantage of their services.

Also, when you get to where you are staying, plan on laying down for several hours and taking a nap if possible. That will help your system calm down and let you feel better.

Oh, and DO NOT look out the window. That may just be me, but that sets off my vertigo faster than anything. Especially if the plane is turning. Once when I flew into Phoenix, the mountain was upside down when I looked outside. lol

And a Benzo like Xanax or Valium will also help reduce the stress which can bring on the vertigo faster. And just keep remembering the very important reason you are making this flight andd how much it will mean to you and your daughter. : )
deleted_user
deleted_user
I agree with citrinel but have to add that the further towards the front of the plane the smoother the ride. In the 1906's I was a B52 Tail Gunner and no whereof I speak on this, the tail was horrible, while up front they were riding like kings.

Everyone should drink plenty of water as the cabin pressure take the inside up to the equivalent of 8,000 feet, and dry as a bone. Everytime you breath out you lose more body moisture at that altitude.

There have been times in the past 15 or so years that I haven't felt all that great after a long flight. I think of 5 hours as a medium length. 2.5 to 3 hours is short, while 8 -10 hours is long.

I'm not bothered with looking down at altitude or anything like that but some folks are, if that's you then insist on an aisle seat.

I always use the nasal decongestant spray that the doctors tell you never to use about an hour before take off, this will keep the passages and sinuses as clear as they can be.

Good luck and always remember any landing that one can walk away from is a god landing!