Dizzy and exhausted 4 days after a short flight. Anyone else ever had this?

[mawbroon]

Thread title says it all really.

I flew on a 1hr flight on fri 11th and then returned home on wed 16th.

When I got home, I could still feel the motion of the plane a few hours later. I have had this before and it normally disappears, but this time, it is 4 days on and now I feel dizzy (but not sick at least) and am very, very tired.

I had this once before years ago after a particularly rough overnight ferry crossing to Holland. I still felt dizzy a week later when it was time come home again, and after I got home, I was so dizzy that I often had to hang on because I thought I would fall over. But here's the thing, I can't even remember if I went to the doctor about it that time.

I am going to the doc tomorrow and am wondering if it is likely to be a problem with my ears, but just wondered if anyone else has had this?

As a sufferer of car/plane/sea sickness, you have my sympathies!

The only time I experienced the same thing was after a 10-day boating holiday. I used to "sway" sitting down on the sofa ...took me about a week to readjust.

Have a look at this:

Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (Mdds)

It is very, very rare though. Perhaps you have a milder version of it (without nausea)?

Hope you feel much better soon.

OMG Stillchuckingit, I have googled MDDS and it describes it to a tee!

I've never heard of it before.

Funny thing is that the actual travelling is fine, I don't feel anything at all whilst on the boat/plane. It starts afterwards, and I have noticed that if I am busy then I am fine, but as soon as I stop and sit down then it all starts.

There is mention of a floating sensation too which is exactly it.

Wonder if the doc will have heard of it? I am sure they hate patients that go and and say "I read this on google and I think it's what I've got!" LOL

Didn't mean to alarm you Mawbroon - I've no medical training whatsoever !!- it might not be Mdds. Just thought you might want to consider it as a possibility...

You could approach your doctor asking if you could have some tests on your inner ear (which dictates balance) and then just casually mention Mdds at the end!!

Actually, it could just be a problem with your inner ear. Sometimes the fluid can dry and form particles which get lodged in the tiny passages with the result that you still feel as if you are on a boat. This can be treated either with some quite "active" physiotherapy (they lie you on a sort of bed which spins around) which dislodges the particles, or with medication.

It must be awful for you though - so hope you can get it sorted quickly.

Hi Mawbroon,

I'm suffering exactly the same thing after a long haul flight. Got home on Sunday night / Monday morning and still feel as though I'm on a boat. I put it down to tiredness and dehydration, but it feels a bit odd. Are you still suffering?

Yep, still suffering. The doc prescribed me Buccastem which has so far made no difference whatsoever.

It's really draining, isn't it. I hope you get over it soon.

This will really put me off flying again because it's not worth this horrible feeling for days/weeks/who knows how long after

sounds like poss labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis.

oh also, you can buy ear plugs that prevent pressure build up when flying.

you could possibly just catch a bug on the flight which would explain the tiredness. But see what your doc says

Did your doctor say what it was? It hadn't occurred to me that everyone didn't suffer until I read your OP.

I used to get it when I wentto Egypt, but I put it down to dehydration. Now wondering if it's somethingI've always had ...

Bit grim - hate the feeling of everything not being quite still. Hope you're starting to recover.

He was very vague. Got a tuning fork out and did a couple of tests and pronounced it "nothing serious" which is good. Said it could be viral.

it's happened too many times though I think. Huge coincidence getting a virus after every time I fly or go on the boat.

blinks, it happens on boats too, so I don't think it's connected to the pressure tbh, but I will look up those earplugs.

Come to think of it, it also happens if I go on a very long car journey, but calms much more quickly after a car journey. It's the boat and plane that are the killers... and the roundabout and swings. bleugh

I got home from a long flight (9 hours) on Thursday. It is now Tuesday and it seems my dizziness is getting worse. I never had it before the flight and didn’t get it on the flight over, just on the way back. I was sitting at the very back of the plane, had a few alcoholic drinks and coffee. Didn’t feel too bad In the hours after the plane landed, but the next several days have been weird. It’s not really a dizziness per se, but a weird head feeling of extreme waves of lightheadedness that come and go frequently, with tinges of anxiety. Fresh air and being outside seems to help, but that’s about it. I’m hoping it goes away, because it’s going to be difficult to work, although I think I’ll be able to eventually get use to it. Still it’s no fun.

Hey @TPpipe

I was googling some of the symptoms I've been having since I got home from a short flight about 2 weeks ago. I came across your reply to this thread on this site and your symptoms sound exactly like what's going on with me.

I was wondering if you ever found out what it was or if it went away on its own? It's pretty scary because, like you said, it's not really a dizzy feeling like vertigo but more of a really strange wavey pressure/lightheadedness which causes some anxiety.

Anyway I hope you're doing well and hope to hear back from you!

Hi @QuantumFlux I know this is a zombie thread you tried to resurrect, I’m here doing exactly the same. I’m suffering from this too - it’s been going on weeks now and it’s causing a lot of anxiety. Don’t feel nauseous, just feel like I’m not still. Head pressure, floaty feeling, like on a boat. More noticeable when still, so I’m forever agitated and moving about to try to combat the feeling. How are you now?

Have a look at vestibular rehabilitation therapy on YouTube.

Hi there, I just wandered if your symptoms went? I am experiencing the same and terrible anxiety. 7 days into this now!

Did you find any answers. I flew 4 hours Wednesday night. Started really dizzy Thursday. Woke up Thursday night with the room spinning crazy. Now Friday and still dizzy.

Hi lovlies

Just opening this back up as I'm in a similar situation and need help!
9 weeks ago I had alot of travelling. Came home to a motion type dizziness, no sickness. Thought it would pass but hasn't. I've had so many medications from sturgeon, citrizine, betahistine even proponol for anxiety and I even tried an ssri but nothing helped. The ssri was awful. Bloods OK. Saw ent said ears ok. Got an mri but not holding much out there. Feel this weird pressure in neck and shoulders like being pulled down. Lack of sleep. Awful when sitting especially. Any help??

Hi
can anyone who commented above please help me ? I’m experiencing exactly what has been mentioned by many above.
Floating dizzy anxious awful feelings. It’s been a week now since I returned from a short flight the doc can’t find anything wrong.

when did it go away ? Did anything help resolve it ?
thanks !!

Hi! I’m going through the same as you! 4 days post flight and suffering so bad with extreme nausea and dizziness, never had it after flying before. Are you feeling any better I really hope so x

Hi, I’m reassurance seeking here. I am feeling very dizzy and extreme nausea after a flight 4 days ago. I’m scared I’ve done permanent damage and nothing will help