Flying after sac decompression or Labyrinthectomy

Thank you. I’m feeling afraid too. I don’t want to create a worse problem. Things are no where near perfect but I don’t need worse. My issues with vertigo went completely out of control after flying to Hawaii and island hopping in 2014. They were infrequent  before that trip. All went downhill afterwards.  I have gone on 4 hours fights since then, around once a year, but I was medicated and not perfect upon landing. After the the sac decompression surgery, I’m just so uncertain. 

Did the operation help you

You say you have had two surgeries, may i ask which two?

Surgery helped to pause vertigo attacks since June of this year but residuals such as being off balance, unsteady, head pressure, etc continue to cause issues.  I often have the sensation that a vertigo episode is about to happen.  These don’t boost my confidence. 

Hi Betty

I had the Sac Decompression twice. First one was in 2009 and the 2nd one last November.  It was a revision because I was having symptoms again.  But for 4 years I had little vertigo but mainly symptom free. 

 

Hi. Four years free of vertigo is terrific. I hope you have great results with your second surgery. I didn’t know that the procedure could be repeated. Did your sac decompression surgeries  place shunts or not? Mine didn’t.  Not sure whether this was common or not. My ENT otolaryngologist feels that shuntless results in few complications.  

No shunt, they called the 2nd one a revision. I had scar tissue that formed and that was last November.  I had complications but no vertigo. 

Thank you!

Im going to have that done, praying it gives relief. Was your balance worse or better after surgery, On my good days I don't have any balance issues and I don't want to make it worse. And how long after the surgery did you feel better? This might sound like a stupid question but I always lie on my bad ear when I go to bed because Im afraid to effect my other good ear. How do you sleep. It is my right ear that has MD.

Thank you. I am happy to hear about your experience. Many of my symptoms seem to be the same.  I hope not to fly before next year but with family in other states, I can't predict. I have continued  the low sodium diet as well.  

The conditions that prompted my surgery are meniere's disease and BPPV with vertigo, nausea, etc.  Knowing that there is no cure for Menieres, do you take any type of preventive medicines? I am on a diuretic only. I have tried to exhaustion many of the others such as betahistine, topamax, imitrex, etc. Nothing seems to work to further in the pressure, balance, or unsteadiness. Terrible side effects for me. 

Judy,

Fortunately, I have not had balance issues except during a vertigo event. My ear fullness was better within a week but has not subsided completely. I haven't noticed any problem sleeping on either side. I usually change sides during the night due to shoulder issues.

Ruby, I'm just starting the John of Ohio regime. I'll post changes that I encounter in the next few weeks.

Thank you!

Rubye, I had BPPV a couple of years before I developed menieres. I had an Epley's Manoeuvre done and it solved it. It's a non-invasive procedure which takes about 5 minutes. It can be done by an ENT specialist, but also some physiotherapists do it as well.

Judy, the surgery doesn’t help with balance. Only vertigo.  I continue to deal with the balance issues.  When I did fly I always had my cane with me.  After flying is just like getting off of a boat for me.  

I also sleep on my affected side, if I was having an episode I found it typically started when I would lay on the uneffected  ear.

Thank you. I have had BPPV and Ménière’s disease for years. I got manuevered often. I had the sac decompression recently which helped vertigo.  Have balance issues and additional hearing loss.

This may be redundant but do you get eply maneuvers. It may help. I had the same issue . My husband now knows how to perform them so readily available to me. Very happy about that, otherwise may be an  inconvenience. 

Hi Glennmorr. I've been reading up on the JOH over the last number of days, so I'll be interested to hear how you get on with it. The very best of luck and I hope it works well for you.

Did someone teach your husband how to do the Epley's?

Yes. My ENT otolaryngologist showed how to perform it. They should be prepared to to follow through once the procedure is started. There are several YouTube sites . We like this one. 

https://youtu.be/9SLm76jQg3g 

My first response is being modified for some reason.

Yes. My ENT otolaryngologist showed him. Vestibular therapist can also demonstrate.  There are youtube sites also.  

My daughter wasn’t shown also.

Sorry.My daughter was shown also.

Ok, that's fantastic! Thanks for that!

Yes I have, but we’re not beneficial.

Thank you Rubye!