What was this - unwell on plane trip

[WatchOutMissMarpleIsAbout]

Hi
I have rheumatoid arthritis. And APS Antiphospholipid. Medication for both. Also have chronic vestibular neuritis.

I haven’t been feeling 100% Sunday and yesterday morning. Aching joints & general seizing up.

Flew yesterday 4 hours. Felt very cold and had a blanket. Had 2 glasses of wine. Not unusual for me on flight or generally as I drink a 1 or 2 glasses most nights.

(Forgot to add Had managed to walk very slowly some of way in airport but then needed a wheelchair to get onto the plane.)

About 2 hours in I was suddenly very tired (we were watching something on iPad) and I fell asleep. Woke up and last thing I remember is feeling stomach pain and like I wanted to throw up.

Dh says I was unresponsive for around a minute, ( possibly more) eyes and mouth open and I couldn’t hear him. I was sweating profusely apparently.

Next thing I knew staff were in chair next to me trying to rouse me and all I wanted to do was sleep. They gave me a drink and oxygen, which really helped, but I didn’t really understand what they were saying.

My observations on landing were fine BP a bit high that’s it. I can’t recall the incident at all.

Think could be syncope or something else? Don’t think stroke as mouth ok and could move my arm on landing.

I was very tired the rest of the day yesterday and was a bit wobbly, tripped up a bit and if I didn’t have my walking stick would probably have fallen over.

The medic on landing said if I went funny again to go to hospital here and to get checked out when I’m back home. But I’m now away and worrying what this could be. I’m still really tired this morning and feel a bit drained.

anyone able to help please and sorry for the essay.

I’m not sure why you’ve ruled out a strike. Get seen by a doctor, of course.

Stroke, sorry

Almost the exact same thing happened to me on a flight last year, just me and DD5. Not sure if this is relevant or not, but I have fibro & ankylosing spondylitis.

It was a short flight from Malaga back to BHX, evening flight and had felt fine all day. Eaten and drank well, but as soon as the plane took off I started sweating and feeling light headed. DD fell asleep thankfully and so I let the cabin crew know I wasn't feeling great just in case something happened. This was with Ryanair and they were amazing - checked on me regularly, got me water and lowered the oxygen mask for me. I was responsive, but barely. I eventually felt a little better, but it was awful.

I've put it down to anxiety, which was at its peak at the time, and so it may have been an anxiety attack. As soon as we landed I was fine.

I'd speak to your GP, just to rule out anything serious. Hope you're feeling better!

Thank you. I’m on aspirin and clopidogrel &
my mouth isn’t odd shape

I’ve just spoken to GP receptionist at home and have appointment on my return next week. I’ll see if can get checked here but was checked on landing. Receptionist says to try and get checked here if possible also.

How scary for you and with your dd. Hope you are ok now. I definitely wasn’t feeling anxious but was in excruciating pain so maybe my body’s way of shutting down.

Im still very tired today but could be from flying yesterday.

Could it have been a seizure rather than a stroke? If you already take blood thinners is there a history of stroke?

I also was going to suggest a type of seizure, as that would often come with tiredness beforehand and extreme tiredness afterwards. There are other types of seizure than the "typical" convulsing type (tonic-clonic), e.g. absence seizures.

Hemiplegic migraine .
Can mimic a TIA.
Do a Google.

Thank you
going to see if I can see someone today as I’m still a bit wobbly

So hospital suspect TIA. CT was clear. May be admitted but unsure at the moment. Thank you

Hope you will be OK. It's bad enough not feeling well on dry land, but 33 thousand feet up it's not nice at all.

I think the meds you are taking (aspirin and clopidogrel) may have prevented a full blown stroke, if indeed it was a TIA. Have you any cardiac issues? I ask as my brother takes those meds following a heart attack.

If you are admitted, that's for the best, and if not, well that's reassuring. Not nice at the start of your trip though, that's for sure.

High altitude sickness- aeroplane cabins are pressurised to 5,000ft above sea level and if you are from the U.K. you will likely be used to sea level to 300ft above.

Alcohol can exacerbate or bring on high altitude sickness.

symptoms any of below:

• sweating,
• fatigue/sleepy
• headache
• disorientation
• hyperventilating
• increased heart rate
• light headed/dizzy
• visual disturbances
• clumsiness

The treatment for this on a plane is - water and oxygen. Which you received and it made you start to recover.

Thank you
interested about high altitude thing
I always drink on flights but probably won’t again

No cardio issues that I’m aware of but they haven’t done ecg as seem to think Tia

I’d still get checked out (as you are doing), but I listed it because I had similar thing as you happen to me on a long haul flight and that is what it was.

Sorry to be so nosey, I just can't help it, but why are you taking aspirin and clopidogrel? Is it connected with any of your current health issues?

I hope all will be well at the hospital. At the risk of a cliche, you are in the right place anyway.

I have Antiphospholipid which is a blood clotting syndrome and can lead to stroke etc

I would ask them to do a baseline ECG and troponin blood test as well just to be sure you have not had a heart attack, especially given your underlying clotting tendency and especially if the excruciating stomach pain was upper central abdominal pain. Sometimes people mistake heart attacks for indigestion etc. And if the pain was excruciating it’s a bit odd if you don’t normally suffer from abdominal pain and a TiA wouldn’t explain that side of things (though might explain the lack of memory of the event - but that could also be due to a syncope cardiac type issue).

It sounds like a vasovagal syncope or a reaction to travel fatigue, dehydration, or your existing conditions. The low cabin oxygen and alcohol might have contributed. Since you're still feeling drained, stay hydrated and monitor symptoms. If anything worsens, seek medical attention. Hope you feel better soon!

You should consider getting a baseline ECG and troponin blood test to rule out a heart attack, especially given your clotting tendency. Severe upper abdominal pain can sometimes be mistaken for indigestion but could indicate a cardiac issue. A TIA might explain the memory loss, but a cardiac-related syncope is also possible. Best to get checked for peace of mind. Take care!

Oh yes, I see you mentioned that in OP. I had to look it up of course as I'd never heard of it before. Seems it might be connected with your rheumatoid arthritis, but what do I know!

If you have the time you might keep us posted. Hope all will be well. Were you going on hols somewhere nice? You don't have to say where, but hopefully you will be discharged soon and can enjoy a nice rest.

I was discharged late last evening. Lots of tests but nothing conclusive so they are going with TIA. They think most likely I’ve been protected by my medication. Also to see GP on my return which I was already doing.

Oh and no long haul flying and to research hospitals before I travel!

yes I’m somewhere nice & warm which I can hopefully now enjoy!

Thank you

Thanks for the update and good to hear you are OK for now. Enjoy the heat and the break.

Which airline was it, out of interest?

BA - they were really good have to say!