What's your experience with airplanes? Does flying bring on vertigo spells?
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi everyone,
I'm wondering if people here who have vestibular issues experience any issues with flying in an airplane. If so, are shorter or longer flights more likely to bring on vertigo/dizziness?
I haven't flown in an airplane since 2011, and started having vertigo in 2016, so I don't know if flying would trigger anything for me or not. I want to go on a trip this year, and am hesitant because of the vertigo and dizziness/imbalance I experienced this past Jan/Feb. It's undiagnosed as of yet but I am waiting for an ENT referral; it could be BPPV, vestibular migraine, or something else.
Re: flying, I've heard of EarPlanes ear plugs - has anyone here used them? I've also heard nasal sprays or decongestants can help. Also, chewing gum before/during ascent and descent. Anyone have a strategy that works for avoiding vertigo on/after flying?
Appreciate any advice - thanks for reading.
0 likes, 9 replies
Waffalobill Rebecca7777
Posted
i know alot of ppl with vestibular issues. in a group. its a pretty even split. some had issues flying, some didnt. join a fb group and see if you can get some answers there. depending on the specific vestibular issue i think the answers will vary. flying can cause fluid build up in the inner ear a doc told me once.
Rebecca7777 Waffalobill
Posted
Thanks!
rose61361 Rebecca7777
Posted
i wish i had a solution because I get dizzier after being on an elevator! ive tried the motion sickness bracelets.. patches... dramamine...meclizine... i hope this helps!
Rebecca7777 rose61361
Posted
Thanks!
shirley84100 Rebecca7777
Posted
I get BPPV episodes and yes I suffer severe dizziness on take off and landing in planes, even in fast moving lifts. The length of the flights makes no difference to me because its the actual take offs that trigger the dizziness.
fel06913 shirley84100
Posted
Shirley, what do you do for the dizziness while being on a plane? do you take any sort of medication while on the plane? And when you get off the plane, do you feel better or are your trips ruined and can't enjoy the vacation?
fel06913 Rebecca7777
Posted
Hi rebecca, its been a few months since your last post. just wondering if you had any updates with the plane situation. did you eventually go on a plane yet?
Rebecca7777 fel06913
Posted
Hi Felo,
I've been on two different trips since making that post - the first trip involved a short flight, and the second trip was overseas and had a connecting flight.
Fortunately I didn't experience any vertigo or other vestibular issues in connection with the trips.
My strategy was to take a decongestant beforehand, chew a lot of gum, and use EarPlanes during ascent and descent.
For the second trip, I did experience a blocked ear for 1-2 days after flying, both on the way there and on the way home. Not really sure why that happened.
Best,
Rebecca
fel06913 Rebecca7777
Posted
"My strategy was to take a decongestant beforehand, chew a lot of gum, and use EarPlanes during ascent and descent"
Just wondering..what would have happened if you did NOT use any of those things (decongestant, gum, earplanes) during the flights? Do you think you would have had vertigo or vestibular issues then? Or is it possible that there wouldn't be any issues if you didn't use any of those things?