Flying and Altitude Issues

[LB]

I'm taking my first plane flight since my AN was diagnosed.  I'm heading to Breckenridge (approx. 11,000 feet) from Florida which is sea level. Should I be aware of or expect any issues?

[Desilu]

Hi LB,

I am not a doctor but I don't think you would have any problems. Many of us have traveled across the United States in order to get treatments for our AN's. If there was a problem, I don't think our doctors would recommend that we fly out to them if it wasn't safe? Just my opinion. Hope this helps? Ann

[leapyrtwins]

LB -

you don't say if your AN has been treated or not.

I went to Denver six weeks after my AN surgery - even took the cog train to Pike's Peak - and didn't have any issues with altitude or flying. 

Even if your AN hasn't been treated, I'm guessing it won't be a problem for you.

Jan

[sharonov]

My AN was diagnosed 5 or 6 years ago (I keep forgetting, which is probably a good thingl)  I fly a lot because my grandkids live in California (I'm in Chicago) and I just love to travel.  I used to have problems with my ears not popping back on descent, but I don't think that's related to my AN and for some reason lately the problem has pretty much gone away.  Mine is under 2 cm so I don't know if that makes a difference.

[Ellen K]

I live on the East Coast, and before my AN was diagnosed, I served on the board of wonderful organization on the West Coast and made regular trips.  I wondered why after almost every trip I awoke with vertigo and had to sleep it off for several hours before I could function again.  The vertigo eventually morphed into daily dizziness, and the thought of getting on a plane was too horrible, so I gave up my board position.  Now, several months later, I just took a plane trip to the Rockies and had no attacks.  I think the balance nerve on the non-AN side is coping well, and I am delighted to back in the air.

I wanted to chime in because I think that for those who do have serious vertigo or dizziness, plane trips may exacerbate the problem (in my non-medical, humble experience).  If you are not experiencing serious vertigo/dizziness issues now, I don't think a plane flight would be a problem.  As a precaution, you'll want to stay well hydrated.

Have a great trip!