Head Injury - Flying - Balance
 

Hello all,

I mentioned this before but didn't really get much on it. It was ages ago though.

Let me start by saying:

I have had PCS (or this assumed condition anyhow) since April 2005. My symptoms are constant but not aggressive or severe like in the early days. I take 300mg St. John's Wort tablets to control depression/mood/stress - it works, may I recommend that to people by the way! Anyhow, I am living with PCS and my biggest problems are BAD BALANCE, DIZZINESS and SOME SENSITIVITY to things like loud noise and the flickering of PC screens etc. I basically work part time and have to take things 'easy' if you know what I mean. I sometimes just have to lie down!

I also have some sleep issues but they're not that bad. I suffer anxiety and panic sometimes too.


To the point: I have wondered, due to my continual bad balance.. that I might have something wrong in my ear. My head was squashed in accident so to speak. Just above the ears. I can hear FINE but I am sensitive to very loud noise, unlike before the accident. Neurologists have done many tests and they say that my balance is actually ok and that it is a 'sensation' in my head and not a mechanical fault in my body. I find that strange. The feeling makes me wobble around! Some days it is just noticeable, some days it is like I am walking on a mattress. On 2 or 3 days it has almost gone away.

So, the flying:
I haven't flown since 2004. I really want to fly again. I am wondering how it will be. Does anyone know of any reason why it might be a bad idea? I just wondered because I know that the pressure effects ears. I am due to see an ear specialist at some point because the Neurologist can't work out why I have such bad balance and thus suggested that. Could it be that I damaged my ears in the accident? Does anyone know about this happening? As I said - I can hear FINE. It doesn't hurt and despite the odd tinnitus and some sensitivity, I don't have problems.

I am an anxious flyer anyway and this sort of added to my fear. Maybe I am talking out of my butt, I don't know. Would just love to hear from others who have flown with PCS, head injuries etc. How did you get on, did you encounter any problems or increased symptoms, especially if you have ear problems or bad balance?

Thanks and get well soon.

Gerbil.

I have had many ear problems in the past including surgeries. I recently was diagnosed with PCS, and flew a two hour flight just fine!

Hi Gerbil,

I too have PCS or TBI since October 2005. I'm being tested "again" for my issues.... but to your balance issues.

I had/have/continue to struggle with balance issues but fortunately I found a very good physical therapist. I found her after my neurologist had all but given up on trying to figure out what was going on with my balance. She specializes in Neuromuscular & Vestibular Rehabilitation....and she explained to me the following:

When I hit my head, the crystals in my inner broke loose. Think of the inner ear as a hollow hoola hoop with sand in it. If the hoola hoop tilts all the sand rushes to the lower side. Thus balance is impossible. She does maneuvers with my head and I do exercises which include walking with one foot in front of the other (which is hard to do) I have a letter from my doctor stating I have vestibular issues incase the law pulls me over and says I'm drunk *smiles* because that is what it looks like, since I still can't do that exercise...but working on it and getting better. There are several exercises that I do. I see her once a month and have been for a year. She has helped me more than anyone else....When I start falling over, I stop and try to center myself....I'm much better than I was. Hopefully one day I will be able to dance again without touching something to keep me balanced. As far as flying....I don't know, I had an opportunity to fly across country last year...she didn't think it was a good idea. So I decided not to fly. Once again that was me....

I don't know where you live, but I suggest that you see an EN&T specialist...that is what I did, they inturn sent me to be tested....it's done with lights, head manipulate....not painful...

Lots of luck - stay positive...

Melek

Hello Travis. I see you're new to NeuroTalk so I wanted to welcome you to the site.

I'm glad you found your way here to this forum, but have a good look around as you may find others that take your interest as well.

Welcome again, it's good to have you with us.

Hi Gerbil. I am an early PCS survivor at 6 months, but I do have many of the same symptoms as you.

I would also recommend a vestibular physiotherapist (like someone else suggests further on) to help with the dizziness/balance thing. It really did help me.

Also, I finally got my eyes rechecked last week, and will have a new pair of glasses for computer work (which I do all day). Apparently my vision changed in the distance field that a computer is from my eyes, and this could be causing the fatigue and headaches I've been getting at work. The doctor suspected that stress could be why my eyes have changed since my fall and they could change back but it could take a long time. All my other eye tests were okay.

Lastly, I just did a five hour flight (with one stop) this last weekend, and it went okay. A bit of a headache on the first leg, but I just took some Advil and is went away. After that, I didn't need to take anymore Advil.

Good luck,
Marg

[...I am an anxious flyer anyway and this sort of added to my fear. Maybe I am talking out of my butt, I don't know. Would just love to hear from others who have flown with PCS, head injuries etc. How did you get on, did you encounter any problems or increased symptoms, especially if you have ear problems or bad balance?

Thanks and get well soon.

Gerbil.[/QUOTE]

Hi Gerbil, I flew from St. Louis to Germany in June and it went well. I had to change flights in New Jersey and it was a long trip, including a two hour drive to the airport. I didn't get any sleep and usually suffer from ear pressure, but overall the jetlag was not any worse than before PCS. On the way home I got stuck in New Jersey and had to spent the night in a hotel. I got a little mixed up with the local time when I set my alarm and got to the airport an hour early the next morning. No big deal - better early than late, ha. So you really shouldn't worry about getting on a plane again - you will be fine and if you can select your seat, try to get as far away from the engines as possible.