I am flying to Houston to visit my cousin in the end of August. I haven't been on a flight since my last decomp and even though I feel fine most of the time now I am worried about flying. I've read about other people's experience with flying and being fine with it. I think I'll be okay, but I'm needing some re-assurance right now. I hate flying anyway, and usually have to drink a couple beers before getting on a plane to calm my nerves. I'm not sure if drinking before a flight is a good idea with my ears now so I may have to talk to the doctor about what I can take to not have a nervous breakdown on a flight. turbulence makes me cry so I need something to relax. Any advise on ears and flying would be appreciated. Thanks!
Joy

Hi Joy,

I was also concerned about flying, and actually forever have motion sickness, even before I began having vestibular problems. I was also afraid of flying. The take-off and landing as well as turbulence made me really scared, as well as nauseas and lightheaded. That was until I acknowledged that I have a problem with my balance. Then I understood that I feel the changes in a more intense way then other people, and that it gets me in a panic situation, because, here I am, belted to my seat, with no possibility to run away.

Since having the vestibular problems, things were more intense, and I would get off a plane swaying and feeling terribly off balance.

Because I really wanted to fly, and not give up to the situation, my solutions are: 1. to take a pill (in my case, Stunarone aka Cinnarizine) against motion sickness (it suppresses the off balance feeling and nauseas and works good for me). 2. I just try to relax: I just sit relaxed in my chair, my head on the headrest, relaxing and controlling my breath, and persuading myself that the movements of the plane may make me feel funny, but nothing bad is going to happen.

The key to flying, despite the fear of how you will feel in the flight is preparing yourself emotionally. If you are really sure that you want to fly you have to look at the pros and the cons. If the pros are that you want to spend quality times with partner/friends/family/or change scenery/see other parts of the world (or what ever….) and the cons for going on the trip are that you are taking a risk of not feeling well. For me it helped to think about this before hand, and then I was ready for each type of scenario, I was more under control, and when a problem came up (like my feeling off balance after the landing), I was more equipped to handle it and did not panic. I was emotionally ready that there was a possibility that I may not feel good, but I was ready to pay the price in order to enjoy a family vacation or meeting good friends abroad. This really helped me to cope with the uncertainties of the consequences of flying.

I hope this will help you. Have a good and relaxed flight!

I've been feeling fine for a good amount of time now (over 6 months if not longer), so does that mean that flying probably won't screw me up? I really hope not. Some more input would be great. Thanks!

Joy, everything i have read says you will have no problem. If I were you, I would buy some ear plugs (i think they are called earplanes). Then if you are worried you have something to fall back on.

I flew a couple of months ago for the first time since all this started and was totally fine. The patterns on the seats bothered me more than the flying!

Joni

Thanks guys. I really hope not. Part of me is more worried that all the anxiety I have about flying (just because I'm scared to fly) will cause a decomp and not the actualy flight!