Hi again,
I am leaving to go to my Mother's home (mother is posting this since I can't use computer) in 2 weeks. With my acute symptoms of headaches, dizziness, and nausea, I anticipate a difficult trip with exacerbated symptoms lasting for many weeks or even months afterward. We are considering doing this by air ambulance since doing it commercially would be just too difficult.

My question is whether it is dangerous to my brain to ask the medical staff to sedate me during the trip so I can sleep. Also, whether anti-nausea medication like Dramamine or even something stronger would do anything to hurt my brain. After my horrible experiences with Prednisone and Topamax, I am very cautious about using drugs for any reason. Prednisone and Topamax caused my brain long lasting harm and I don't want that to happen again.

Joe

I would double check with a pharmacist.. but I suspect that xnax and zofran would be ok together

Joe,

I feel for you. Okay, last year we drove 5 hours and I slept three. I had bad vertigo and nausea for 5 days.

I had Xanax and Zofran (nausea med for cancer patients generic is ondansetron).

Xanax was the generic form:alprazolam .25mg. The ondansetron was 8mg. Insurance did not like to cover the ondansetron but my nausea was so intense I wasn't eating. Now I will get it filled at Costco and pay for it myself. I am calling today for the price. Dr. Hain, my otologist in Chicago said they get it there cheap.

I did not rely on my meds enough during that drive. I though sleeping would be enough. On the way home I did and it did help.

Prednisone made me eat, that's it. Topamax didn't do anything for me. I took the ondansetron for a year and did not bother my brain. I take it when I have extreme nausea now. I always take the smallest dose of Xanax for my panic attacks and use ice and pillow and blackest to help sooth me.

Commercial flights just the thought of it is frightening. A calm, controlled as ossicle environment sounds much better. You can make them aware of your issues and needs. How long r u staying with your mom Joe?

If you would like snail mail let me know. Pm me. I've been sending short notes lately to work on my writing. I can send you pictures.

Peace and wellness,

Jace

Thanks, Jace.

It sounds like your TBI and mine are pretty different!

I will be staying with my mother as long as it takes. I am giving up my apartment in Los Angeles since I am unable to work or even take care of myself and will depend on my mother as caregiver until things change.

Joe

Hi Joe,

Much luck on the voyage to your mom's house.

My boyfriend cared for me a great deal and still helps me out a lot and the accident I was in was almost 4 years ago... most people heal much sooner, and I pray for a faster healing for you too.

Joe,

Great idea staying with your mom. My mom and hubby were my caretakers for the first year. Now just my hubby. I'd be lost without him. Daily life at home is still hard.

Care taking is hard. Make sure your mom has someone to talk to. Plus she still needs to do for herself.

I'm a teacher too. After my neuropsych testing I was told I would not be going back to teaching, or driving. Not ready to believe that though. Hope is a powerful emotion.

Good luck to you Joe.

I went to my PCP Monday and got a supply of ondansetron. He offered Ativan but I felt that was too strong a drug for my fragile brain and did not take it. Thanks for all your suggestions. I did take Meclizine to help me get to the doctor in a wheel chair and car and I did not have any nausea for 24 hours after taking it . So that will be the drug I will take an hour before going to the airport. The doctor thought I should go commercial since the $30,000 for air ambulance was overkill for my condition. So that is what we will try to do. Hoping all the noise and confusion does not fry my brain.

Hi Joe,

Well $30,000 is a huge amount. Sorry it's so expensive.

Good job on the ondansetron.

Around four months out I started vestibular therapy. I couldn't walk, ride in a car, look at anything moving...it helped me, didn't heal me, but helped.

A visit to an otologist may be a good idea. The vestibular system is very delicate and can become damage easily with life changing effects.

Good luck to you. Keep us posted!

Peace and wellness,

Jace