NeuroTalk Support Groups - PCS and Flying

Quote:

Originally Posted by postconcussion (Post 884832)

Hello.

There have been multiple posts over the months I've been here about flying. Hopefully you can get some info here:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...highlight=bose

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...highlight=bose

Wakey, you are the only other person that had a hard time on the flight as me. When the plane ascended I had the most painful headache, during the flight and on descent. It went away about an hour after the flight. My neuro said that it was just stress, but I assure you it was not. I wanted to scream, I thought my head was exploding.

Will you please share your experience? I looked online and there is such a thing as an airplane headache, which seems to be either a sinus pressure issue, low oxygen, or altitude sickness. I was very nauseated as well and was on a smaller plane.

These comments on this site described similar pain, and one of them had a history of concussions. The article is so so but the comments are helpful.
http://neurocritic.blogspot.com/2010...-headache.html

I would like to go on a flight again, but I need to figure out if I need migrane meds, or if this is altitude sickness, do I need something else? I have never had any sinus issues before, so I'm thinking that that is not the case.

I would love to travel, It is something that I hope to do soon again. Anyone else have this headache?

I'm pretty sure the headache on takeoff and landing has more to do with cabin pressure than oxygen--re: ears popping. But the fatigue and other sickness feelings that occur seem likely to be a result of the decreased amount of oxygen at high altitudes. I am not sure I can give much advice on this; the trials of flying will always be there. You need to try to manage them the best you can. Maybe try to take some headache medicine before you take off and before you land, depending on the length of the flight.