flying with PCS
 

I searched and couldn't come up with anything about this. Is it safe to fly with PCS? I will be going from the east coast to the west coast in April. That will be 4 months since the initial concussion.

I asked my doctors before I flew. (one month out from injury) They did not have any concerns physically in my case.

I was not at all prepared for the noise, the distractions. I became completely disoriented before I figured out what I was trying to do and realized I had to have an escort to my gate. I almost missed my flight because I forgot to get on while they were boarding.

I was totally ill prepared (and still in denial about the severaty of the impact of PCS). For anyone flying alone who may become confused, it is useful to think through the details before getting to the airport and arrange to have someone take you to your gate.

On the way home I used earplugs and had an escort to my gate. The airlines actually gave a security pass to a family member who made sure I got on the plane safely.

Thank you. I will keep those things in mind when I go. I am flying with my husband, so that will help. Wearing earplugs after going through security might help Thanks again.

Some tips for flying.

Have someone with you to assist you going through TSA. The jostling as people get everything into the trays and then the yelling as TSA directs you through the metal director can become overwhelming.

Ask for Air Carrier Access Act preferential seating. See http://www.disabilitytravel.com/airl...arrier_act.htm for more information.

I always get a bulkhead seat, preferably aisle. Avoiding the view of heads and seat backs is imperative for me. I need visual space in front or I pay for it during and after the flight. ACAA give passenger 'bump' privileges. That mean you have seating priority over anybody but other ACAA qualified passengers. Only Southwest has given me problems with this.

Mention this when buying your tickets. Some airlines will seat you ahead of time. Others will prefer to have the gate agent arrange your seating. But, ask ahead of time to reserve your ACAA rights.

I carry a few slips of paper in my wallet that say:

"Please be patient with me. I suffer from a brain injury that causes me to over-react when confronted with shouting or someone barking orders. I respond by getting loud. Any assistance to help limit excessive auditory stimulation is helpful."

You might change it to "Please be patient with me. I suffer from a brain injury that causes me to get confused when confronted with shouting or someone barking orders or other chaotic situations. I respond by freezing up like a deer in the head lights. Any assistance to help limit excessive auditory stimulation is helpful."

Print this notice out and cut it into small business card size slips of paper. Keep them where you can easily access them. Hand it to anyone who needs to read it. Don't try to have them read it in your hand. I hand one to the first TSA agent when I get in the TSA line. I am usually directed to a less crowded line with more personal attention. You can ask for an escort from the airline counter too. Some will provide assistance through the security check point to your gate.

This system works great.

Take ear plugs or sound limiting headphones or both. The steady noise will wear your PCS brain out. A travelers blow up neck pillow is good so you can sleep.

Be prepared and the trip will be much easier.

My best to you.

Do you have notes from Doctors with the info on it?

I do not carry an kind of notes. I will tell the ticket agent that I has severe claustrophobia due to a head injury. This usually gets their attention. I tell them that as long as i have visual space, I will be fine. But, If I have seat backs in my face, I will struggle. The worst is seeing the rows of seat backs and tops of heads. It is just too much visual stimulation. Trying to sleep is my safety valve if I get in trouble.

Having the slip of paper printed on the computer and nicely formatted gets the point across nicely. You will need to explain that you have no problems sitting in an exit row because many bulkhead seats are nearest the exit so need exit row qualified passengers. All that means is that you are ambulatory such that you could lift a piece of carry-on luggage over your head like you would to put it in the overhead compartment.

I have done lots of airline travel since my injury. Learned all the tricks.

My other concern is, and keep in mind that this trip was planned well before my accident, we r going to disneyland. I have beenwanting to go forever. I think i am setting myself up for failure. Any suggestions? Perhaps if i take it very slowly. We really arent ride people it would be more looking at the sight. Sorry if i am rambling...tough day

My other concern is, and keep in mind that this trip was planned well before my accident, we r going to disneyland. I have beenwanting to go forever. I think i am setting myself up for failure. Any suggestions? Perhaps if i take it very slowly. We really arent ride people it would be more looking at the sight. Sorry if i am rambling...tough day

That would be a nightmare for me.

I wouldn't even go...I can barely stand to be in Walmart longer than 15-20 minutes. Even if your symptoms are mild, you will likely run in to trouble.

My suggestion to you, if at all possible...postpone this vacation until you feel better. There is far too much noise, people, visuals and thinking going on there for your PCS brain to handle...especially since your in the early stage. If you do decide to go, bring a dark pair of shades and some ear plugs. Hopefully you guys have a room near the park so you can take breaks. If headaches are one of your symptoms, bring some Ibuprofen with you.

I didn't fly until 10 months post-concussion. I did okay (mild headache on descent and was tired for a couple days after).

I think I would have been seriously overwhelmed early on in my recovery. I don't think I could have tolerated the airport or the flight. And NO WAY could I have handled Disneyland. I am a year post-concussion, and I still would have trouble with it just due to the crowds. Never mind any rides -- I don't think I will ever ride amusement park rides again.

I would be REALLY, REALLY hesitant to do the trip. You might be able to tolerate short periods there, but I think in the best case scenario you will need a LOT of downtime.