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| Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome For traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post concussion syndrome (PCS). |
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11-30-2012, 04:20 PM
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Hi all,
I have decided to go on holiday for a while. Do you know if it's safe to fly after a TBI?
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I am a 36 yr old female who has played football, as a hobby, for 13 yrs. In July 2012, during a game I was slammed to the floor by two angry guys who hit into me so hard that one of them broke their ribs. This knocked me back onto hard ground leaving me unconscious. I awoke to chronic head and neck pain, sickness and the inability to see or balance. The paramedics made me walk to the ambulance, instead of placing me on a spinal board, where I was taken to the ER. I was hospitalised with suspected brain hemorrhage for 1 week, then on complete bed rest for 1 month, in a wheelchair for 2 months. I have been left with PCS, moderate constant head pain, little short term memory, no memory of the accident, balance and sight problems, depression and exhaustion. The worst problem is collapsing regularly. This has finally been diagnosed as Hemiplegic Migraines , these cause my brain to regularly shut down when I am tired and I then feel the full effects of a stroke (without the bleed on the brain!!) of which the symptoms last 2-4 days. I have had 6 CT's, 2 MRI's and am under 3 specialists. I believe everyday is one more towards improvement. Mainly I believe in the power of acceptance not the weakness of complacency or resignation. |
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11-30-2012, 05:28 PM
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Legendary
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Flying is safe after a TBI. I have done lots of flying. The only problem you may have is over-stimulation from the constant low level vibration and sounds plus the visual clutter in a confined space. Plus airports can be very chaotic and over-stimulating.
I just plan for a quiet day after the travel day, especially if the flight is a long one. Just plan to take it slow. You want to enjoy your time not spend it recovering from the stress of the travel. My best to you.
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Mark in Idaho "Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10 |
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | peacheysncream (12-01-2012) |
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11-30-2012, 06:24 PM
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I logged over 50,000 airline miles this year. I’m not claustrophobic and don’t have a fear of flying or heights so it hasn’t been a problem. Busy airports can be stressful so I always allow extra time to get through security and stuff before I have to board. I try to practice mindfulness techniques while on board. If flying didn't bother you before the injury it likely won't now.
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What Happened: On November 29, 2010, I was walking across the street and was hit by a light rail commuter train. Result was a severe traumatic brain injury and multiple fractures (skull, pelvis, ribs). Total hospital stay was two months, one in ICU followed by an additional month in neuro-rehab. Upon hospital discharge, neurological testing revealed deficits in short term memory, executive functioning, and spatial recognition. Today: Neuropsychological examination five months post-accident indicated a return to normal cognitive functioning, and I returned to work approximately 6 months after the accident. I am grateful to be alive and am looking forward to enjoying the rest of my life. |
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | peacheysncream (12-01-2012) |
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11-30-2012, 07:56 PM
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Legendary
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I never had a problem flying before my injury in 2001. Since then, the over-stimulation has made flying much different. I used to enjoy flying. Now, I need to be very disciplined with how I respond to stimuli at the airport and while in the plane. My wife would rather drive 8 to 11 hours than deal with the struggles I have getting through airports and the flight. Planning makes a big difference.
Focal injuries versus diffuse injuries may make a difference. If over-stimulation is not a problem, then flying might be less problematic. The 8,000 ft altitude does put the injured brain under mild oxygen stress.
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Mark in Idaho "Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10 |
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | peacheysncream (12-01-2012) |
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11-30-2012, 08:22 PM
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To reiterate. Flying is safe. There are at least three aspects of flying to keep in mind. First, as Mark mentioned, overstimulation can be a problem. Second, if you have vestibular issues, the motion of the plane can cause problems (trust me on this one!). Finally, the altitude can, in theory, constrict the flow of blood to the brain, which could effect your headache if you have one. Know this before you fly and you will be better off. If you feel worse, it will pass.
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | peacheysncream (12-01-2012) |
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11-30-2012, 08:31 PM
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One other thing... do NOT whack your head on the overhead compartment as you are getting seated (or when getting up... or at all!!). It makes a 3.5 hour flight almost intolerable.
Especially when there is a toddler and an infant behind you during the flight and the toddler kicks your seat the whole time and says "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy" 30,000 times and the infant screams inconsolably. I hope your flight goes smoothly and quietly. Starr |
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11-30-2012, 09:16 PM
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Legendary
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wakey,
I have never read anything like "the altitude can, in theory, constrict the flow of blood to the brain" can you help me understand this theory. The effect of altitude is usually based on the lower amount of oxygen available due to the lower air pressure. People with a history of brain injury often have a decrease capillary capacity leading to a reducing on oxygen perfusion to the brain tissues. I could understand that as the brain struggles for oxygen, the increased blood flow may cause head aches. Plus, any sensitivities to lower barometric pressures can cause related inflammation discomforts. Either way, head aches are still head aches.
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Mark in Idaho "Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10 |
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | peacheysncream (12-01-2012) |
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12-01-2012, 10:51 AM
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my 2cents - after my accident (I was in another far away state) I flew back home a few days later and had the worst(10) head aches pain of my life. This was very soon after the accident. I flew again 4 more times about a month later and ended up in the ER due to severy headache pain. I have not flown since - mostly due to my employment situation and those flights were close to the time of the injury but I do believe it exacerbated my sysmptoms. If its been a little while you will probably be ok except for the noise\chaos factor. Drink a lot of water as plane travel in general will dehydrate you.
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What happened - MVA Multiple injuries - here for support of mtbi, chronic headache and cognitive deficits. |
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | peacheysncream (12-01-2012) |
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12-01-2012, 11:56 AM
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It goes to show how many of our problems could be seen as due not to the brain injury, but rather due to failures on the part of ourselves, other people and society in general to adjust the expectations on us to levels that we can cope with whilst still having some sort of quality of life. By the way flying was fine for me.
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mTBI March 2011, spent around a year recovering. Since recovery I have achieved a Master's degree with distinction in Neurological Occupational Therapy |
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | peacheysncream (12-01-2012), Theta Z (12-01-2012) |
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12-01-2012, 03:48 PM
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Quote:
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | peacheysncream (12-01-2012) |
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