Flying

[Flosmum04]

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if anyone know if it is ok to fly on a plane after a head injury? Thanks very much

[ArthurFudgeCake]

Hi, I have flown many times just this year, Manchester to Berlin and there's no medical reason not to fly, I was told. I did so on my own and the major barrier was the anxiety and the cognitive impairment, making decisions especially on the fly (pun intended) was awful but...pay the extra! For the lounge etc, priority boarding, meet and greet. That's my advice.

Obviously if you went to see a neurologist and had an updated brain scan that would answer the more medical reason for flying.

[Flosmum04 in reply to ArthurFudgeCake]

Thanks very much. I have another MRI this week and at some point will ask the neurologist. I forgot to ask last time! x

[ArthurFudgeCake in reply to Flosmum04]

I would like to add that despite never actually missing a flight I've come very close! But I've taken the car ferry many times over the years and have missed one and was the very last car on three occasions!! Had a major panic attack once. Despite my (Poor) planning and given loads of time, we can still be at the whim of our lowered mental capacity especially regarding decision making and time keeping 🤕 but if you like adventure and excitement...just getting on the plan is exhilarating 🤩 have an amazing time...give yourself loads of time x

[ftt1960 in reply to ArthurFudgeCake]

I flew to the US last May, a year after my TBI. I checked with my GP before flights were booked. I wS worried about pressure changes but was told there was no reason I couldn’t fly. Keep yourself right and ask someone in the know before flying.

[paxo05]

Hi, it may depend on what injury you sustained from your bi. Check with your consultant or gp. Personally flying is fine for me. Its airports i suffer. There is alway a way around with assisted boarding etc.

Good luck

Pax

[Flosmum04 in reply to paxo05]

Thank you. No plans to go anywhere yet, we have family in Scotland I’d like to see and we usually fly up, it seems a bit daunting at the moment!

[paxo05 in reply to Flosmum04]

Intrnal flight may be a good idea to test. Once i found a way of dealing with the airport i flew to Northern Ireland . Theres no real test ofthe effects of flying without actualactuallactuallactually flying.

Once again good luck,

Pax

[paxo05 in reply to Flosmum04]

ive just thought of another point, travel insurance. Don't just jump down the specialist route. Try a normal quote and phone them to inform them of your issues. A bi is not always aninsurance problem , plus listing your medication on the insurance form can help with security if stopped.

First time I flew after my bi I paid for " specialist insurance" and it was expensive. The following year went with post office and my bi made no difference.

it's worth a try.

[Hopelove82]

as long as your doctor says it’s ok, my husband flew on a plane a year n a half after his injury, he was jet lag and had some myoclonic jerks for the first 2days from traveling but after that he was just fine

[APAscot]

definitely check with your neurologist but also declare everything to your travel insurance company

[Flosmum04 in reply to APAscot]

good point, thanks

[Hidden]

I wasn't allowed to fly for the first year after my accident and now that holidays are back on the menu as apascot says check travel insurance i have to have additional medical insurance added

[Flosmum04 in reply to Hidden]

thank you

[APAscot in reply to Hidden]

me too and I’ve just had to fork out £1,600 for travel insurance for my husband and myself. Admittedly we’re both getting on a bit 🙁🙁

[RogerCMerriman]

shouldn’t really be a problem, I don’t find the planes particularly bad, I’m fairly poor traveler now! But the airports which are essentially large malls I find very hard work.

[Pip70]

Hi I have a very complicated brain(congenital brain injury with surgeries inc VP shunt and epilepsy) I have flown both long and short haul with no negative affects other than resulting tiredness! I do agree with the previous advise to give yourself plenty of time and ask for help at the airport if you need it. Try essential travel insurance for reasonable cover😀

[skydivesurvivor]

have flown since my tbi but…didn’t land with it?!! Blue skies?xx