Pressure in ear and Massive dizziness

[Guest guest]

Hi All

This is new in my 12 years of chiari. For the third time in two weeks,

I had sudden onset pressure in my right ear....like when you're on a

plane that's changing altitude...like they need to pop...only I'm not

doing anything when it starts. Takes about 30-40 minutes then it shifts

to the other ear and massive dizziness like the walls and floor are

moving all around starts. It's horrible.

I'm not sick and was doing nothing when it came on all three times.

This time is the worst. Having trouble focusing my eyes and sick to my

stomach. I had vertigo prior to my decompression, but it never started

like this and I've not had it since. I have instability too and my neck

feels stiff/throbbing and I had sharp pain on the right side of my head

on and off since this started. My upper back feels tingly too.

any insight would be great....a little scared right now

in Pittsburgh

[Guest guest]

I should mention that both of my ears feel clear now...just left with all the

other symptoms.

[Guest guest]

Taking  a flight is a bad thing according to my Dr. who said for no reason fly

on a plane the pressure change is to bad for our condition and should be avoided

at all cost.I am not a doctor but have learned to listen to them.Roller coster

rides are also out .

[Guest guest]

Hi guys...

Just wanted to comment on this....

I was decompressed almost 20 years ago and have a VP shunt.

While I totally agree with roller coasters being a no-no, pretty much across

the board for Chiarians.... However, I don't think the flying ban should be

a hard and fast rule.

Obviously, like most things with Chiari, much depends on the individual.

Some people may have more problems than others. I have flown many times

since being decompressed. Several times were across the country, with no

problems. I take the usual precautions...chewing gum...hydrating well, etc.

I have felt a little more pressure flying in smaller planes, which would

stand to reason, and I prefer not to take them unless necessary.

Now if this doctor was referring to Chiarians who are NOT decompressed, that

might be another issue. I really can't speak to that as I was decompressed

within a month of becoming symptomatic.

Again, just my two cents on the topic, from my experience..

Take care,

Sally

Re: Pressure in ear and Massive

dizziness

Taking a flight is a bad thing according to my Dr. who said for no reason

fly on a plane the pressure change is to bad for our condition and should be

avoided at all cost.I am not a doctor but have learned to listen to

them.Roller coster rides are also out .

[Guest guest]

ok! I have no choice but to fly in order to see my family and to

enjoy the warm weather! First thing first, ask your TEAM of MD's if

you can take a decongestant, it normally clears my sinus of any

additional pressure. TELL THE CAPTAIN OF THE PLANE you have a

programmable shunt in your brain and if he or she can be mindful on

the final approach.. If the tower of the place you are landing at,

dumps you (doing 20k feet in 10mins) or the gradual of 30min is much

easier to deal with.

Most planes are computer controlled for the cabin pressure. Great!

Thank you for explaining that to me but could you tell the tower that

you have a passenger with a sensitive medical situation! Other wise

it will feel like my scull is trying to come through my face without

any pain killers. Not fun!, but the up side is the pain does only

last for about 20mins! I've done it with babies next to me by myself

and some how you learn to deal!

Roller Coasters! No Way, No How! Not worth anything to me in order

to do! I could undo all the wonderful efforts of the TCI Team and may

almost brake my neck considered I'm fused with a counter fusion

coming!

Also for families with Children, there is a law that allows

handicapped individuals flying by themselves to be accompanied to the

gate by a family member and picked up at the gate from another family

member upon arrival if you are flying with babies!

My husband could not always travel with me but I needed to go and

relax with my family!

You will be taken by wheelchair from ticketing to the gate and vise

verse upon arrival. But if that is the only way I'm able to fly by

myself with the kids to see my folks! Done Deal!

Dr. B has told me to always fly with my collar (neck brace) on because

you never know when you are going to hit turbulence.

Hope this helps!

Bea

[Guest guest]

Since airplane cabins are pressurized, reactions to flight in Chiari patients is

an individual matter. I know CM patients who get wicked Chiari headaches when

flying, and others who are unaffected. It doesn't seem to matter if the patient

had decompression surgery or not.

Barbara

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- Re: Pressure in ear and Massive

dizziness

Taking  a flight is a bad thing according to my Dr. who said for no reason fly

on a plane the pressure change is to bad for our condition and should be avoided

at all cost.I am not a doctor but have learned to listen to them.Roller coster

rides are also out .

[Guest guest]

>

>Posted before reading this, I have never been decompressed and I have never

been

>told not to fly.  I have flown on long trips to New Zealand and Europe since

my

>diagnosis and I have also flown on unpressurized prop and float planes.

>

>

>

>

>

>

________________________________

>To:

>Cc: Sally R

>Sent: Wed, December 8, 2010 11:18:16 AM

>Subject: Re: Re: Pressure in ear and Massive

>dizziness

>

> 

>Hi guys...

>Just wanted to comment on this....

>I was decompressed almost 20 years ago and have a VP shunt.

>

>While I totally agree with roller coasters being a no-no, pretty much across

>the board for Chiarians.... However, I don't think the flying ban should be

>a hard and fast rule.

>

>Obviously, like most things with Chiari, much depends on the individual.

>Some people may have more problems than others. I have flown many times

>since being decompressed. Several times were across the country, with no

>problems. I take the usual precautions...chewing gum...hydrating well, etc.

>

>I have felt a little more pressure flying in smaller planes, which would

>stand to reason, and I prefer not to take them unless necessary.

>

>Now if this doctor was referring to Chiarians who are NOT decompressed, that

>might be another issue. I really can't speak to that as I was decompressed

>within a month of becoming symptomatic.

>

>Again, just my two cents on the topic, from my experience..

>Take care,

>Sally

>

> Re: Pressure in ear and Massive

>dizziness

>

>Taking a flight is a bad thing according to my Dr. who said for no reason

>fly on a plane the pressure change is to bad for our condition and should be

>avoided at all cost.I am not a doctor but have learned to listen to

>them.Roller coster rides are also out .

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi

About the question of flying. I had an Invasive Cervical Traction

procedure in New York but no fixation surgery and spent the

whole of the flight back to the UK, (some 4 days later) drifting

in and out of consciousness and throwing up. Has anyone else

experienced this ?

Barbara

(UK)